I No Longer Wear High Heels—Here Are the Stylish Summer Shoes I Choose Instead.
I can't pinpoint the exact moment I stopped wearing high heels, but living in New York City has led me to prefer shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. While some people confidently stroll around the city in stilettos, I refuse to endure foot pain and have always stood by that principle. Consequently, I've developed an instinctive shopping habit when searching for shoes: prioritizing options with heels that are two inches or shorter. One of my favorite brands that often meets this requirement is Camper—like the Casi Myra Ballerina Flats I purchased last year. They are now gaining traction on TikTok as people discover they are ideal for walking. Another favorite from Camper is a pair of mesh Mary Janes, which are particularly airy during hot days. I'm also contemplating vibrant ballet flats from Gimaguas, crafted from neoprene material that seems perfect for summer.
Another style I frequently wear in warmer weather is kitten-heel sandals. The modest heel adds a polished touch, yet it's low enough to remain incredibly walkable. I also own jelly shoes from Los Angeles Apparel, which I bought for $28 before heading to the beach, along with flat sandals that are essential in my summertime wardrobe. I never thought I would wear wedges again until I found the under-$100 orthopedic ones from Worishofer that I've been wearing nonstop—they genuinely surprised me with how wonderful they are to walk in after they've been broken in.
Below, explore the best shoes with heels two inches and under for summer 2026.
Ballet Flats
- Camper Casi Myra Ballerina Flat
- Gimaguas Bailarina Neopreno Mary Janes
- Naturalizer Behold Mary Jane Flat
Kitten-Heel Sandals
- Anthropologie Simonmiller Beep Flip-Flop Kitten Heel Sandals
- Open Edit Tori Kitten Heel Sandal
Jelly Shoes
- Los Angeles Apparel Jelly Flats
- ANCIENT GREEK SANDALS Iro Pvc Ballet Flats
- Shopbop Ancient Greek Sandals Jelly Flip Flops
- Christopher Esber Jo Thong Sandals in Black
Leather Sandals
- ZARA Flat Leather Sandals
- Vagabond Shoemakers Izzy Strappy Sandal
Wedges
- Gap Vegan Leather Wedge Thong Sandals
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I No Longer Wear High Heels—Here Are the Stylish Summer Shoes I Choose Instead.
Ballet flats, Mary Janes, sandals with kitten heels, jelly shoes, and others.
