36 Best Mules for Summer, According to Style Editors 2024
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Summer is finally here, meaning itâs high time to pull out the best mules in your collection. The backless shoes are trending right now, riding high on the popularity of the Birkenstock Boston and recent runway appearances at Prada, Loewe, Versace, and AlaĂŻa. And now that itâs proper weather for breezy footwearâincluding walking sandals, jelly shoes, and comfy slidesâyou should have a pair on hand for the busy season ahead.
Styling mules is easy; you can throw them on wherever youâd otherwise wear ballet flats or kitten heels, say with a summer wedding-guest dress or a T-shirt and a denim skirt. They also play nicely with summerâs trendiest pieces: Try low-heeled mules with an asymmetrical top and capris or clogs with an oversized button-down and linen pants. Plus, backless loafers and flats are perfect for the office and wonât leave your feet sweating during your commute. Ready to get your summer slip-ons locked down? Give your flip-flops a break and shop our edit of the best mules to buy right now.
Glamourâs summer mules wish listThe Most Popular Pair: Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clogs, $160The Waterproof Version: Birkenstock Boston EVA Clogs, $60The Comfy Clogs: Madewell x Dansko Brinn Mules, $155The Amazon Mules: Rilista Bow Mules, $46The Kitten Heels: Reformation Heather Block-Heeled Mules, $278The Gingham Stunners: Bibi Lou Gingham Kitten-Heel Mules, $160The Iconic Work Shoes: Gucci Princetown Leather Slippers, $950The Affordable Dupes: Old Navy Faux-Leather Loafer Mules, $28The Fisherman Mules: Sam Edelman Dina Fisherman Mules, $90The Mesh Flats: Steve Madden Birdee Mules, $90The Popular Designer Pair: Tory Burch Pierced Mules, $398Most comfortable mulesMules, famously, are not billed as walking shoesâbut if youâll be on your feet all day and youâre determined to go backless, you still have some great options. Birkenstock offers the Boston, which is probably the most popular pair of mules on the market: âIâm always impressed by the level of arch support Birkenstock offers, and these are some of my go-to neighborhood shoes,â says Glamour commerce editor Jake Henry Smith, who also notes that you can get them in waterproof EVA form. Elsewhere, Vionic, Crocs, and Dansko are known for their generous support and foot-hugging insoles. (The last brand is a favorite among nurses, by the way.)
Birkenstock Boston Soft Footbed Clogs
Vionic Willa Mules
Madewell x Dansko Brinn Mules
Dansko Talulah Mules
Birkenstock Boston EVA Clogs
Crocs Dylan Clogs
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Best heeled mulesConsidering they donât offer ankle support, you wonât find mules in anything higher than a modest heelâbut kitten heels are on trend for summer, so you can leave the stilettos behind. Weâd love to see these picks at a wedding paired with a flowy summer dress; weâre especially smitten with Maeveâs ever-so-lifted mules, Bibi Louâs gingham pointed-toe shoes, Dolce Vitaâs raffia beauties, and Reformationâs slanted suede gems. For more support, go with a block heel; Madewell and Maguire offer high-quality pairs thatâll hold up to a long day at the office or a celebration that stretches well into the night.
Maeve Bow Mule Heels
Bibi Lou Gingham Kitten-Heel Mules
Dolce Vita Kaline Mules
Reformation Heather Block-Heeled Mules
Madewell Macarro Mules
Maguire Safara Mules
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When you need something summery but still elevated enough to wear with a full suit or a dressy blouse, turn to these slick shoes. Gucciâs iconic Italian leather mules are always a standout if you have the money to spare; you can also find similar silhouettes and hardware at Old Navy and Tory Burch for a fraction of the price tag (and in half sizes). Elsewhere, office staples like ballet flats and penny loafers have had their backs chopped off to great results.
Gucci Princetown Leather Slippers
Old Navy Faux-Leather Loafer Mules
Linea Paolo Aylin Mules
Madewell Greta Ballet Flat Mules
Cole Haan Lux Pinch Penny Loafer Mules
Tory Burch Jessa Backless Loafers
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Best fisherman mulesFisherman sandals are enjoying a major moment this summer, and we love the backless versions for occasions that donât require the security of a heel strap, such as these classics by Sam Edelman (which are somehow on supersale), Hereu (the brand behind one of our favorite designer bags), and Old Navy (which are shockingly budget-friendly). If youâd like something novel, though, Free People offers a perforated pair that stands out from the crowd, while Jeffrey Campbellâs woven leather option is office- and vacation-appropriate.
Sam Edelman Dina Fisherman Mules
Hereu Coraia Mules
Old Navy Faux-Leather Fisherman Mules
Aerosoles Liberty Fisherman Mules
Free People Slice of Sun Flats
Jeffrey Campbell Weave-Me Mules
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Best mesh mulesA spin-off of the mesh-ballet-flats trend, the mesh mule might eclipse its big sister this summer, considering itâs even more breathable. Youâll find plenty of the same materials and embellishments here, from plain mesh to raffia, beads to rhinestones. These pairs are begging to be worn on vacation, especially with a beach cover-up, a maxiskirt, or a white dressâanything that signals to the world that you left your work laptop at home and youâre proud of it.
Jeffrey Campbell Nutcracker Mules
Steve Madden Birdee Mules
Mango Mesh Beaded Shoes
Jeffrey Campbell Daydream Embellished Heels
Raye Anastasia Mules
Loeffler Randall Paloma Mesh Mules
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Best embellished mulesFashion people are obsessed with grommets, buckles, crystals, and bows right now, so of course theyâre spilling over into mules. Weâre not complaining; those pierced Tory Burch mules have been living in our heads rent-free since they walked the runway a few seasons ago, and weâre still obsessed with the vintage grommet kitten heels Bella Hadid wore to Cannes in May. (The Jeffrey Campbell heels below are essentially the same shoe, FYI.) Pull these options out when youâre dressing to the nines or you just need a little extra oomphâtheyâll look great with cocktail dresses and straight-leg jeans alike.
Jeffrey Campbell Gratis Mules
Tony Bianco Savoir Mules
Tory Burch Pierced Mules
Dolce Vita Kanika Low Mules
Rilista Bow Mules
Journee Collection Tiarra Pumps
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