The Undeniably Chic Red Shoes That Are Making a Statement This Season

As far as pops of color go, nothing compares to brilliant red. In all its eye-catching glory, radiant shades of rouge have been a go-to technique for weaving in a splashy pigment across all categories, from the iconic lip shade to the subject of today’s love letter: the statement red shoe.

While a confident red accessory is hardly a new concept, red footwear has amassed a number of recent headlines. (We all remember The Row’s highly-coveted jellies from last year.) And as we shimmy into the glorious, sun-soaked months of summer, there has never been a better time to invest in shoes with personality.

Taking stock of the current footwear landscape, red accents are all around us: from mesh and crochet flats for those with a penchant for naked dressing to retro sneakers for livening up an athleisure moment. The best thing about a scarlet shoe is how quickly it snaps a look into place: A T-shirt-and-jeans kind of day is rendered a look with the simple addition of a tomato-red flip-flop, ballet flat, or—yes—pair of jellies.

Ahead, shop ELLE’s guide to the 32 best red shoes of the season that’ll carry you from one occasion to the next—all while making a sizzling statement.

Our enthusiasm for Mary Janes hasn’t waned one bit; and with these charming cherry-colored versions, a summer of Mary Jane flats feels imminent. The best part is the variety—there’s everything from crochet iterations to styles with buckles. Wear these whenever you want to add a feminine spin to an outfit of basics, like straight-leg jeans or tailored Bermuda shorts.

The vintage-inspired sneaker trend is a popular pick these days, and a red pair only adds to the nostalgic, vaguely ’80s-esque feel. You can incorporate these into a sporty look (cue the side-stripe pants!), but I also like the idea of mixing aesthetics a bit and wearing these with softer separates, like a pleated skirt and ankle socks.

There’s no style slump a strappy sandal can’t resolve, particularly when said sandal is rendered in a vivid shade of red. These ’90s-inspired heels will look ultra-refined worn with a slouchy suit for the work week, and oh-so-festive with a tank and embellished midi skirt for an evening out.

’Tis the era of the mesh flat, so it seems, and I’m betting on red as the color du jour for this distinct footwear trend. For a quietly cool take, wear yours with an oversized shirt and boxer shorts. Or, if you’re in the mood for something splashy, a sheer dress would surely make for a unique pairing.

I like to think of these as the pink ballerina flat’s fun-loving cousin. Wear them with a shrunken white tee and low-slung baggy jeans for an of-the-moment look, or consider pairing them with something more daring for evenings out, like hot pants.

The slingback silhouette is one of relaxed sophistication, and these red iterations double down on that reputation. I’m especially enamored with red slingbacks that are either completely flat or have a very low heel, which makes them easier to style with closet staples across the board. (Not to mention, the low profile gives them tons of mileage as an officewear essential.)

For those who have never thought of this laid-back shoe as a viable style choice for non-beach locales, I’d like to enter red flip-flops into the record. These warm-weather icons belong just as much at a picnic or a lazy weekend brunch as they do by the sea. (Bonus points if your swimsuit is also red.)

Pledge your allegiance to this controversial shoe trend with a red pair. Because the texture and color are both on the bolder side, consider wearing these with minimalist layers in neutral hues to let the shoes do the talking. (Or not, if maximalism is your love language.)