Summer Isn’t Over Yet—Here’s How I’m Wearing the Wedge Trend
Our take
The resurgence of the wedge, as highlighted in this recent piece on summer wedding styling, feels less like a fleeting trend and more like a return to a foundational element of sophisticated ease. It’s a subtle shift away from the precarious heights of stilettos and the often-unforgiving flatness of flats, offering a grounded elegance that resonates with a desire for both style and practicality. The article’s framing of a weekend wedding, complete with road trips and varied dress codes, perfectly encapsulates the modern woman’s lifestyle – one that demands versatility and a certain effortless chic. This echoes a broader movement within fashion, a rejection of the overtly performative and a leaning towards pieces that enhance, rather than define, a woman’s presence. We’ve seen this reflected in the broader conversation around “quiet luxury,” a sensibility that prioritizes quality and timelessness over fleeting trends, and the recent exploration of how even royal style is evolving – as demonstrated by An Unexpected Royal Just Beat Princess Kate in the Latest Royal Family Popularity Poll—and It Wasn't Princess Charlotte. The wedge, in its understated confidence, embodies this very principle.
The boho aesthetic, which the article connects to the wedge trend, is experiencing a thoughtful revival, too. It’s not the free-spirited, almost chaotic bohemianism of the early 2000s. Instead, it’s a curated version—one that prioritizes natural fabrics, earthy tones, and a sense of relaxed refinement. This aligns perfectly with the current cultural mood, a desire for connection with nature and a move away from the hyper-polished, digitally-driven world. Think flowing linen dresses, handcrafted accessories, and a general sense of unhurried grace. Even the anxieties surrounding travel and wardrobe choices, as the article touches upon, are being reframed. The meticulous planning isn't about adhering to rigid rules, but rather about creating a personal narrative through clothing—a visual representation of one’s inner state. This echoes the introspective nature of the current fashion landscape, where self-expression and authenticity are paramount. The focus on skincare and self-care also reflects this—as demonstrated in I Tried the Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Eye Serum—And It Kept Me Looking Alive During My Busiest Month Ever, highlighting a holistic approach to beauty and well-being that extends beyond superficial appearances.
The subtle power of the wedge lies in its ability to elevate a look without demanding attention. It’s a foundational piece, a building block upon which a sophisticated style can be constructed. It's a far cry from the fleeting obsession with novelty or the constant pursuit of the “next big thing.” This shift toward enduring style is particularly relevant given the recent re-evaluation of personal wardrobes following travel—as evidenced by I Just Got Back From Paris, and Suddenly Everything I Bought for Summer Feels Wrong. The realization that a capsule wardrobe of well-chosen, versatile pieces can offer more satisfaction than a collection of disposable trends is resonating with a growing number of consumers. The wedge fits seamlessly into this philosophy – it's a timeless investment that transcends seasonal fads.
Ultimately, the resurgence of the wedge and the thoughtful revival of the boho aesthetic point to a larger cultural shift: a move towards a more grounded, intentional, and emotionally intelligent approach to style. It’s about embracing a quiet confidence, celebrating individuality, and prioritizing quality over quantity. The question now becomes: will this trend continue to evolve beyond the summer season, cementing its place as a perennial wardrobe staple, or will it fade as quickly as other fleeting fads? The enduring appeal of effortless elegance suggests that the wedge, and the sensibility it represents, is here to stay.
Picture this: an invitation arrives for a weekend summer wedding. It’s at a bucolic locale that requires a road trip. Each evening has its own dress code and you meticulously plan what you will wear. On night one, you leave your hotel room, walk down the path toward the first event and find that your final destination is actually…off the path. In the distance, you see a romantically lit tent and to get there you must cross a grassy knoll. You take a single step off the paved concrete and your stiletto immediately sinks into the grass. Each step after that is absolute agony, not because it hurts to walk, but because each time your heel is being plunged into and out of wet soil, it’s leaving a little residue on your shoe. By the end of the night, your heels are an absolute muddy mess. You regret everything and then have several more days of this exact dilemma. All of this could have been avoided by embracing a different kind of summer shoe, an ideal summer shoe if you will…a wedge.
That incredibly specific scenario aside, here’s my elevator pitch on behalf of the wedge-wearing community: wedges are 100 percent more comfortable than traditional heels and most importantly, they do not sink into the grass and come away filthy. They support your weight evenly which makes walking easier, but also ensures that you will not ruin any footwear attending summer engagements. You will be able to walk further for longer and still retain the heel height and leg shape that a stiletto heel provides. What could be better than that? The answer is nothing!
I have been singing the praises of a wedge for as long as I can remember and lucky for me, I guess, they are back “on trend.” Wedges have shown up on plenty of runways and in commercial collections this season. From Alaia to Chloé to Khaite to Balenciaga, the wedge offerings are abundant because they are such a superior footwear choice and everyone has caught on. It’s either that, or the price of Ubers are so exorbitant that more women are simply walking and they need the proper shoe to help them do so.
I have grand fantasies about going on a safari, but my fear of bugs and sleeping outside has kept me from taking the trip. For now, the best I can do is dress the part while working through those fears in therapy.
I recently put together this outfit to test out at my volunteer job reading to children. Since the job requires a lot of animal noises, I felt undoubtedly prepared. I often need to get creative about what I’m wearing because I spend a lot of time on the floor. For these purposes, a skort is a great solution. This one from The Frankie Shop has hidden shorts underneath while still giving safari realness. I wore this with a tank from AYR and flip-flop wedges from RAYE which are incredibly comfortable.
I don’t typically follow trends—I’m a firm believer in wearing whatever makes me feel good. However, recent runway nods to boho style has inspired me to lean into the vintage look.
Here, I channeled a bohemian spirit with chocolate brown wedges and a vintage dress featuring a macrame knit skirt. Since sticking to natural materials is the best way to embrace the boho trend, I completed the look with a straw bag.
While my outfit is mainly vintage, I’ve included similar pieces below. But that said, I’d recommend that you do some secondhand shopping yourself. Opting for vintage styles is great for the environment and it also ensures that you never show up wearing the same thing as anyone else.
Given that I’m a true horse girl, I spend most of my time at polo matches. At half time, spectators often flood onto the pitch to stomp the divots, which means that they use their feet to pound the turf or grass back into place where it has been upended by horse hooves. As you can imagine, it is crucial to wear the correct footwear for such an activity. You can always tell who has been to a polo match before by what they are wearing on their feet.
An espadrille is a classic summer shoe and a great option for watching polo. So, I grounded my look in Reformation espadrilles, and I finished off my outfit with a chic Reformation dress.
This ensemble can easily work for any other sporting event. And now that I mention that, I am available for the US Open if anyone wants to take me!
I was invited to a summer birthday party, a milestone one, but I won’t tell you how old because that is not important. The event was a little more formal than what might be typically required of your normal summer get together, so I decided to keep it simple and chic with this black Meshki dress and these black Schutz wedge heels. It’s a very witchy look, which I love.
The evenings tend to get chilly in Milwaukee, so I finished off my look with a long-sleeved dress.
I took this photo after touring a new condo building, so this outfit is extremely casual. Since I was on my feet for most of the day, these cushioned wedges really helped to support me. I love this outfit because it feels elevated, and it allows me to play into the boho trend while still staying true to myself.
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