Toe-Ring Sandals Are the Freaky-Lite Shoe of the Summer—Take It From Fashion's It Crowd

Last Saturday, I went for a walk around New York City's SoHo neighborhood with two friends. They were discussing possible career pivots, relationship hiccups, and who'd handle next week's wine bar reservation. I wasn't listening; I was staring at passersby's feet—I promise I'm not a creep—and counting pair after pair of toe-ring sandals.

Featuring a ring around the big toe, made of either leather or metallic hardware similar to the silver bands you flaunted in the early aughts, the freaky-lite sandal trend stepped into the spotlight last spring (largely thanks to repeat endorsements from Jennifer Lawrence, the unofficial president of the quirky footwear fan club). But as the well-dressed women of SoHo made quite clear—conquering the cobblestone streets in Tory Burch and Zara sandals that circled their phalanges—the toe-ring shoe agenda is ongoing.

The summer shoe trend isn't limited to the Big Apple; per Google, nationwide searches for toe ring sandals are at an all-time high, even after spiking 430 percent last month. Specifically, platformed styles are emerging as a "breakout search and the top trending style."

All of this leads me to my broader point: If you couldn't muster the courage to join the pro-toe cohort last year, Summer 2026 is the season to say farewell to flip-flops and try their chicer, quirkier alternative—a sandal that spotlights the big toe.

As noted, Lawrence is the number-one celebrity advocate for the polarizing shoe, particularly for pairs by indie brand St. Agni and footwear heavyweight Manolo Blahnik. She does, after all, have a soft spot for offbeat footwear—see: JLaw's recent outings in toe-split Nike Air Rift sneakers and $28 Adidas slides.

But countless other heavy-hitting fashion girls are also swapping their standard summer footwear for sandals that swaddle their big toe and come with built-in bijoux. Kendall Jenner indulges in retail therapy while strapped into The Row's $890 toe-lop Link sandal. Emma Stone has made the shoe a staple of her Euro summer style. And just two weeks ago, Selena Gomez stepped out for dinner in a toe-ring wedged sandal—because, yes, there's always room for an out-of-the-box shoe trend to become an even cooler iteration of its former self.

Of course, the toe-ring trend didn't sprout from thin air. Strappy sandals emphasizing pedicures have been a common denominator on spring runways for several seasons now. Last year, Tod's, Proenza Schouler, and Hermès led the charge. In more recent showings, brands like Calvin Klein, Celine, and Jean Paul Gaultier took over toe-ring duty. Some sandals were made of thick black leather and came with sculptural silver buttons on the big toe; others were wrapped in hair-thin straps and had a distinct je ne sais quoi elegance.

Moreover, the ongoing momentum for the statement shoe makes sense. In 2026, a singular personal style is the top prize among tastemakers, and the toe-loop shoe offers more intrigue than a standard flip-flop or thong sandal. In some ways, they're the final boss of open-toed sandals—not only must you be okay with having your dogs out, but you also have to want to draw specific attention to them. Plus, there's an obvious upside to having a seat belt around your big toe: there are fewer chances of your shoe flying off during your walk to the corner store or your commute into the office.

A shoe that marries quirky fashion with function? In the presence of such a complex style, it's no wonder I wasn't paying attention to a word my friends were saying the other day.

Shop More of Summer's Best Toe-Ring Sandals