Last summer saw flip-flops undergo a full-fledged fashion transformation, reemerging in luxe leather, sculptural silhouettes and heeled iterations that moved seamlessly from the runway to the red carpet to model off-duty wardrobes. This season, another once-polarizing ’90s shoe is poised for a similarly chic rebrand: the wedge sandal.

Gone are the sky-high cork platforms and clunky mall-era styles that once defined the silhouette. Today’s wedge sandals feel markedly sleeker, trading bulk for minimalist lines, sculptural heels and refined proportions that elevate the once-divisive shoe into something far more polished. On the runway, Khaite offered a modern take through sculptural thong wedges, while brands like Aeyde, Reformation and Staud have embraced the trend through a similarly pared-back lens.

“The biggest difference is that summer 2026 wedges feel edited compared to the maximalist wedge eras of the late ’90s and peak Y2K,” says Sammie M., stylist and founder of Carte Blanche Shop, a curated vintage resale destination. “Back then, wedges were often loud on purpose, with chunky cork soles, heavy platforms, rhinestones, contrast stitching, visible logos and thick straps. The silhouette itself was intentionally over-the-top. Today’s revival keeps the nostalgia but strips away a lot of the excess.”

Instead of functioning as a statement shoe, today’s wedge sandals are being styled as a more understated wardrobe foundation. “The trend is leaning toward micro wedges, sleek wedge flip-flops and cleaner heel lines,” Sammie explains. “Right now, fashion people are styling them less as a ‘statement Y2K shoe’ and more as a sleek neutral foundation, almost like how minimalist strappy sandals were styled in the ’90s. The modern versions are slimmer, cleaner and more architectural.” According to the stylist, the current revival also pulls from a broader mix of influences beyond Y2K nostalgia, including ’90s minimalism, early-2000s clubwear, ’70s platform glamour and contemporary quiet luxury.

Much like the other nostalgic shoes that have made a return in recent seasons, the appeal of the wedge sandal lies in its versatility. For a more polished, fashion-editor approach, Sammie recommends styling the shoe with tailored trousers or relaxed suiting separates to offset the casualness of the silhouette. Meanwhile, capri pants offer the more trend-forward pairing this summer, tapping into the ongoing fascination with early-2000s dressing and proportions.

For evening or off-duty wear, the stylist points to long column skirts and bias-cut dresses as the ideal complement to the shoe’s elongated shape. “A few styling shifts like prioritizing clean lines, choosing refined wedge shapes, balancing the casualness and paying attention to proportions make the biggest difference,” Sammie says. “The overall vibe is less vacation party girl and more understated European summer.”

With its clean, minimalist nature, the wedge sandal’s latest return feels less like a nostalgic gimmick and more like fashion’s next elevated essential.

Shop Summer’s Best Wedge Sandals