Summer 2025's Shoe That Makes Even The Simplest Outfits Look Elevated

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Sometimes, the difference between a forgettable outfit and one that forces people to stop and take notice is all in the small details. Casual ensembles can turn heads when they're styled with the right footwear, which gives them an air of elevation. And while there are infinite ways to pull this off depending on the season, in 2025, we're doing it with a shoe that's recently come back into style. "Peep-toe mules are one of those rare items that check elegance and ease," explains Ira Lysa, fashion designer and founder of Imperial Alterations and Ira's Bridal Studio. In an exclusive chat with Glam, Lysa notes that this throwback style is flattering on everyone, which could be why it's the perfect way to finish off your relaxed street styles this year. "They're breathable, make your legs look longer, and slip on easily perfect for the laid-back yet polished vibe of 2025 style," Lysa says. 

Celebrities are already all over this trend, with Hailey Bieber rocking metallic gold peep-toe mules in a May look that was a nod to the noughties. In the world of high fashion, we've seen Giambattista Valli unleash luxe satin peep-toe mules down the runways, while Victoria Beckham highlighted a ventilated style in her Fall '25 collection. Both stiletto and kitten silhouettes are en vogue, along with flared heels. Bright colors are taking over, with red and sage green, in particular, appearing in the peep-toe mule space. Otherwise, denim and animal prints, including snakeskin, will also set this Y2K style firmly in the modern era, as will woven and raffia styles.

The Oiamenne Stiletto Heels are a sleek option to dress up your 'fit, particularly as metallic hardware is hot across all shoe trends this year. Otherwise, you could ride the wave of two trends at once with something like the Steve Madden Women's Signal Heeled Sandal, seeing as jelly shoes are a trend everyone is trying in 2025.

Loafer mules may be among the outdated heel trends you should ditch in 2025, but the peep-toe variety is just getting started. These shoes can work with just about any outfit, but they work like magic on the simplest of ensembles, like basic T-shirts and jeans. For cooler nights, you can add a simple leather jacket, but this jeans-and-tee combo should be the perfect base from which to incorporate your peep-toe mules. For something that little bit more put-together, you could go for a dressier blouse or shirt, and crop tops work, too. According to fashion designer Ira Lysa, pairing your laid-back ensembles with peep-toe mules comes down to balancing the elements: "The structured denim and tailored shirt give structure and the open-toe mule adds softness and a hint of playfulness. It's a timeless, chic and incredibly versatile choice."

To take a casual jeans-and-top 'fit into something you could wear at night, opt for peep-toe mules that have more eye-catching details. A higher-end option might be the DKNY Women's Open Toe Fashion Pump Heel Sandal, as the gold finish will turn any basic look into something dressier. Meanwhile, the more affordable Coutgo Women's Heeled Mules achieve the same goal with their alluring red tone. As a tip, if you're going for colorful peep-toes, matching that shade to something else in your outfit will create effortless cohesion. Alternatively, you could add more personality and perhaps a quirky dynamic to the look by wearing your peep-toes with socks.

Beyond jeans, Lysa loves teaming these shoes with midi skirts and silk slip dresses, telling Glam exclusively that "they lend a casual sophistication and easily take you from brunch to an evening event." The mesh trend is still going strong, so something like the Mostrin Kitten Heels would be perfect for elevating your slip dress, no matter the occasion.

To find the best peep-toe mules to recommend, we considered a few different criteria. Firstly, we sought out a broad range of styles to suit a variety of tastes and purposes, from dressy stilettos to low-key kitten heels, particularly focusing on the outfits that our expert exclusively recommended. We considered shoe options at various price points for the same reason and ensured that every option that we recommended was rated over 4 stars on Amazon.