The Barely-There Heel
Toes out, standards up.
The barely-there heel is summer's laziest flex: minimal strap, low stakes, maximum toe. We rounded up the ones actually worth letting your feet out for. Aeyde does the quiet-luxury version better than most, whether it's the Ilvy Leather Mules, the Ilvy Ponyhair Mules for anyone who wants a little animal in their minimalism, or the Jessie Square-Toe Sandals, which make an open toe look like a decision rather than an accident. The Olenna Thong Sandals are the toe-post, all grown up. Arezzo is where the price stops hurting: the Bree Leather Mule and Leona Mule Sandal give you supple leather without the designer sting. Black Suede Studio keeps it clean with the Avery 35 Mule and Joanna 65 Mule, low and quiet and doing more than they look like they should. Larroudé brings the color, the Fiore Thong Sandal in black leather for the purists and the Valerie Mule in powder blue and green satin for everyone who's done with beige. And St. Agni closes it out with the Thong Detail Heels in black and rosso and the Cross Detail Heels in black and off-white, the kind of barely-there sandal that quietly makes the rest of your outfit look more expensive. Barely-there heels, thong sandals, and minimal summer mules, for feet that want out and taste that doesn't.
The Barely-There Heel
Toes out, standards up.
The barely-there heel is summer's laziest flex: minimal strap, low stakes, maximum toe. We rounded up the ones actually worth letting your feet out for. Aeyde does the quiet-luxury version better than most, whether it's the Ilvy Leather Mules, the Ilvy Ponyhair Mules for anyone who wants a little animal in their minimalism, or the Jessie Square-Toe Sandals, which make an open toe look like a decision rather than an accident. The Olenna Thong Sandals are the toe-post, all grown up. Arezzo is where the price stops hurting: the Bree Leather Mule and Leona Mule Sandal give you supple leather without the designer sting. Black Suede Studio keeps it clean with the Avery 35 Mule and Joanna 65 Mule, low and quiet and doing more than they look like they should. Larroudé brings the color, the Fiore Thong Sandal in black leather for the purists and the Valerie Mule in powder blue and green satin for everyone who's done with beige. And St. Agni closes it out with the Thong Detail Heels in black and rosso and the Cross Detail Heels in black and off-white, the kind of barely-there sandal that quietly makes the rest of your outfit look more expensive. Barely-there heels, thong sandals, and minimal summer mules, for feet that want out and taste that doesn't.
Arezzo
Marley Mid Stiletto Sandal
Lowest we've seen
Available sizes
5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 11
Why it's worth it
Polka dots inside and out — even your footbed is dressed.
Black Suede Studio
Glw 70 Mule
Available sizes
5 6 7 7.5 8.5 9 10 11 12
Why it's worth it
Sequin discs big enough to rattle when you walk.
Larroudé
Valerie Mule Powder Blue And Green Satin
Lowest we've seen
Available sizes
5
Why it's worth it
Knotted satin straps on a sculpted heel.
Anonymous Copenhagen
Mazy 75 Mesh Shiny Lamb & Mesh Velvet Leopard Black
Available sizes
5 9 12 13
Why it's worth it
Leopard in mesh velvet — quieter and better than you'd expect.
Larroudé
Fiore Thong Sandal Black Leather
Lowest we've seen
Available sizes
5 5.5 6 6.5 7 8 9 11
Why it's worth it
3D daisies meet sculptural heel.
Simon Miller
Beep Thong In Black Patent
Available sizes
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Why it's worth it
Patent leather flip-flop that forgot it was casual.
Anonymous Copenhagen
Mazy 55 Shiny Lamb Terracotta
Available sizes
11
Why it's worth it
Shiny terracotta leather pooling across your toes like it melted there.
Melissa
Flip Flop Kitten Heel
Available sizes
5 6
Why it's worth it
A flip-flop that earns a second look from across the pool.
Anonymous Copenhagen
Kimber 60 Crinkled Polished Goat White Sand
Available sizes
7 8 8.5 9.5 10 11 12
Why it's worth it
Crinkled leather, crossed straps, square toe — and no ankle strap slowing you down.
Dolce Vita
Brevel Vinyl Sandal
Available sizes
6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5
Why it's worth it
Tortoiseshell that works like a neutral.
Raye
Perla Kitten Heel
Available sizes
5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10
Why it's worth it
The flip-flop that actually goes to dinner.
Tony Bianco
Krista Sandal
Available sizes
5 5.5 6 6.5 7 7.5 8 8.5 9 9.5 10 11
Why it's worth it
A flip-flop that earns a dinner reservation.
Melissa
Flip Flop Kitten Heel
Available sizes
5 6 7 8 9 10
Why it's worth it
A flip-flop that's also a sculpture.
Aeyde
Ilvy Leather Mules
Why it's worth it
The one black mule that goes with everything without trying.
Aeyde
Ilvy Ponyhair Mules
Why it's worth it
Zebra pony hair on the most understated shoe shape possible.
Aeyde
Jessie Square-Toe Sandals
Why it's worth it
Snake print that reads polish, not party.
Aeyde
Olenna Thong Sandals
Why it's worth it
The flared stiletto heel is doing all the work.
Black Suede Studio
Albie 70 Mule
Why it's worth it
The bow does just enough without trying.
Black Suede Studio
Avery 35 Mule
Why it's worth it
The kitten heel that actually goes with everything.
Black Suede Studio
Carla 65 Mule
Why it's worth it
Patent burgundy straps thin enough to almost disappear.
Black Suede Studio
Freddie 70 Mule
Why it's worth it
Ostrich texture on a classic nude mule — more interesting than plain leather, wearable every season.
Black Suede Studio
Gem 65 Mule
Why it's worth it
Leopard footbed, barely-there black straps — it's doing a lot with almost nothing.
Black Suede Studio
Joanna 65 Mule
Why it's worth it
The one tan heel that goes with literally everything.
Black Suede Studio
Lila 95 Mule
Why it's worth it
Baby blue ostrich texture that reads as exotic without trying.
Black Suede Studio
Mac 70 Mule
Why it's worth it
Ostrich texture on a wedge is an actual upgrade.
Black Suede Studio
Tash 50 Mule
Why it's worth it
Leopard thong heel — the slide that does real work.
Paris Texas
Mirrored Leather Mule
Why it's worth it
Mirror-finish calfskin in a blue that hits like a Cinderella reboot.
Paris Texas
Nappa And Python-Print Leather Mule
Why it's worth it
Snake-print footbed under clean black straps — the detail is on the inside.
Source Unknown
Satin Kitten Heel Sandals, Black
Why it's worth it
The flip-flop silhouette with a kitten heel nobody saw coming.
Source Unknown
Suede Square-Toe Thong Sandals, Red
Why it's worth it
The perfect red statement moment, on your most walkable heel.
St. Agni
Cross Detail Heel - Off White
Why it's worth it
Squared-toe thong heel with contrast topstitching.
Staud
Flynn Kitten Heel | Fern Multi
Why it's worth it
Three colors, one clip, zero effort.
Staud
Flynn Kitten Heel | Espresso Lemon
Why it's worth it
The yellow heel does all the talking.
How we'd wear it
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Brands in this edit
Aeyde · Anonymous Copenhagen · Arezzo · Black Suede Studio · Larroudé · Paris Texas · Revolve · Simon Miller · Simonett · Source Unknown · St. Agni · Staud