Note: This article is written in standard American English and is based on current fashion, retail, and foot-health information available from reputable style, shopping, and medical sources. Prices and availability may change after publication.
Some summer shoes enter your life politely. Others barge in, take over your closet, and somehow make every outfit look like you planned it three days in advance. That is exactly the charm of the £17 Next “barely there” sandals: simple, slim, flattering, and suspiciously good at going with everything from linen pants to floaty dresses to the jeans you promised you would stop wearing three times a week.
Minimalist sandals are having a very good summer. Fashion editors are talking about ‘90s-inspired thong sandals, slim straps, toe-ring details, barely-there heels, refined flip-flops, and polished slides. The mood is easy but elevated: shoes that do not shout, “Look at me!” but still quietly improve the entire outfit. Think of them as the white T-shirt of footwearexcept with pedicure exposure and slightly more commitment.
The beauty of a barely-there sandal is that it does not compete with your wardrobe. A black pair works with tailoring, denim, slip skirts, and summer dresses. A nude or tan pair lengthens the leg and disappears neatly into the outfit. A metallic pair adds just enough sparkle without making you look like you accidentally stepped into a disco ball. And when the price is friendly, the emotional math becomes dangerously easy: one pair for weekdays, one for weekends, and one “just in case.”
Why the £17 Next Barely-There Sandals Work So Well
The best barely-there sandals have three things in common: thin straps, a clean shape, and a color that does not demand an entire styling meeting. They are not trying to be the main event. They are the supporting actor who wins the award anyway.
Next has become a reliable high-street destination for affordable wardrobe staples, and its sandal selection often includes slim-strap heels, block-heel designs, neutral tones, and dressy-but-wearable options. The specific appeal of a £17 pair is obvious: it gives you the look of a sleek summer sandal without making your bank account fan itself dramatically. For shoppers who want something versatile for warm-weather dressing, this is exactly the kind of buy that earns repeat wears.
The “Barely There” Formula
A barely-there sandal usually features delicate straps across the foot, a minimal ankle strap or slip-on design, and either a flat sole, kitten heel, or low block heel. This design works because it visually lightens an outfit. Heavy shoes can sometimes make summer clothes feel clunky; slim sandals keep everything airy.
With a midi dress, they add polish. With denim shorts, they make the look feel intentional instead of “I just found these in the laundry chair.” With wide-leg trousers, they peek out neatly without disrupting the line of the pants. That is the entire magic trick: they blend in while doing a lot of quiet work.
How to Style Barely-There Sandals With Everyday Outfits
The phrase “goes with everything” gets thrown around a lot in fashion, usually by people trying to justify buying a fourth black bag. But with barely-there sandals, it is genuinely true. Their simplicity means they slide into different outfit personalities without needing much adjustment.
With Jeans
Pair black barely-there sandals with straight-leg jeans and a white button-down for a clean city outfit. Add a leather belt and gold hoops, and suddenly the same jeans you wore to buy coffee look like they have a reservation somewhere.
For relaxed denim, choose a low heel or flat thong sandal. A square toe can make the whole outfit feel more current, while a rounded shape looks softer and more classic. If your jeans are cropped, ankle-strap sandals work especially well because they create a neat finish at the hem.
With Dresses
A floral dress and barely-there sandals are the summer equivalent of iced coffee and sunshine: not groundbreaking, but deeply satisfying. Nude or tan sandals let the print take center stage. Black sandals add contrast and make a romantic dress feel less sweet. Metallic sandals turn a simple slip dress into an evening outfit with almost no effort.
With Linen and Tailoring
Linen pants, tailored shorts, and relaxed blazers all benefit from a slim sandal. The clean straps balance the softness of linen and keep the outfit from looking too beachy. For work-friendly summer dressing, try a block-heel barely-there sandal with wide-leg trousers and a sleeveless knit top. It says “professional,” but in a breezy waynot in a “conference room with no windows” way.
10 Other Summer Sandals Worth Considering
The Next pair may be the budget hero, but summer is long, sidewalks are hot, and wardrobes like options. Here are 10 other sandal styles to consider, from polished minimalist pairs to practical walking sandals.
1. Minimal Thong Sandals
Minimal thong sandals are back in a big way, especially in black, brown, white, and cream. They have that easy ‘90s feel fashion editors love, but modern versions often include square toes, padded footbeds, or leather straps. Wear them with loose jeans, maxi skirts, or tailored shorts.
2. Low Block-Heel Sandals
If stilettos make you feel like you are negotiating with gravity, a low block heel is your friend. It gives height without wobble and works for weddings, dinners, office outfits, and summer parties. Look for cushioned insoles and secure ankle straps if you plan to stand for hours.
3. Toe-Ring Sandals
Toe-ring sandals are one of the more interesting trends of the season. They are minimal but not boring, adding a jewelry-like detail to the foot. Flat toe-ring sandals work well with linen sets and beachy outfits, while heeled versions feel dressier.
4. Polished Flip-Flops
Forget the foam pair you wore to the dorm shower. The new flip-flop is sleeker, often made in leather or faux leather, and styled with tailored pieces. Black or brown versions look surprisingly elegant with relaxed trousers, tank tops, and simple dresses.
5. Fisherman Sandals
Fisherman sandals are practical, comfortable, and slightly nostalgic. They offer more coverage than barely-there styles, making them a good choice for long walking days or travel. Try them with white denim, cotton dresses, or Bermuda shorts.
6. Metallic Sandals
Gold, silver, and bronze sandals are secret wardrobe extenders. They work like jewelry for your feet and can make basics feel evening-ready. A metallic flat sandal is great for vacation; a metallic strappy heel is ideal for summer weddings or dinner plans.
7. Jelly Sandals
Jelly sandals are having a playful comeback, but the grown-up versions are cleaner and more stylish than the childhood pairs that collected playground dust. Clear, cream, black, or embellished jelly styles can look surprisingly chic with white dresses, swim coverups, and casual weekend outfits.
8. Wedge Sandals
Wedges are back, and this time they are less bulky and more refined. A slim wedge thong sandal gives height while staying easier to walk in than a thin heel. They look especially good with maxi dresses and wide-leg pants.
9. Wide-Strap Comfort Sandals
For days when you will be walking more than posing, wide-strap sandals are essential. Look for arch support, a cushioned footbed, and adjustable straps. They may not be as delicate as barely-there sandals, but your feet will send you a thank-you note.
10. Ankle-Strap Flats
Ankle-strap flat sandals are a summer classic. They feel dressier than slides but are still easy to wear all day. Choose tan leather for a timeless look, black for city outfits, or white for vacation styling.
What to Look for Before Buying Summer Sandals
Style matters, but comfort matters tooespecially if your summer plans include walking, sightseeing, commuting, or standing at outdoor events pretending you are not counting the minutes until you can sit down.
Support
For all-day wear, look for sandals with some arch support and a sole that does not fold completely in half. Very flat, flimsy sandals can be fine for quick errands or poolside use, but they are not ideal for long walks.
Fit
Your heel and toes should sit comfortably on the sole without hanging over the edge. Thin straps should feel secure, not like dental floss with ambition. If the sandal has an ankle strap, make sure it does not rub or cut into the skin.
Heel Height
A low block heel or kitten heel is often the sweet spot for dressy comfort. It gives a little lift while staying more stable than a high stiletto. For travel or long days, flats with cushioned soles are usually the better choice.
Color
If you want maximum versatility, start with black, tan, nude, brown, white, or metallic. These colors work across multiple outfits and seasons. Trend colors are fun, but neutrals earn more wears.
Why Barely-There Sandals Are Perfect for a Capsule Wardrobe
A capsule wardrobe depends on pieces that mix easily. Barely-there sandals fit that job beautifully because they do not lock you into one style. They can look romantic, minimal, dressy, casual, or vacation-ready depending on what you pair them with.
One simple pair can work with a black slip dress, blue jeans, linen trousers, a white maxi skirt, denim shorts, and a wedding guest dress. That is not just versatility; that is closet diplomacy.
The £17 Next pair is especially appealing because it gives shoppers a low-risk way to try the trend. If you end up wearing them constantly, you have proof that a minimal sandal deserves permanent space in your wardrobe. If they become your emergency “nothing else works” shoe, that still counts as a win.
My Experience Wearing Barely-There Sandals All Summer
There is a very specific moment when you realize a pair of sandals has become your default. You are not choosing them anymore; your hand simply reaches for them before your brain has finished loading. That is what happened with my barely-there summer sandals. At first, they were the “nice little option” I bought because they were affordable and looked useful. Within two weeks, they had become the shoes I wore with almost everything.
The first test was denim. I wore them with straight-leg jeans, a white tank, and a lightweight blazer. The outfit was basic in the best way, but the sandals made it feel sharper. Sneakers would have been comfortable, yes, but they would have made the outfit look more casual. Ballet flats would have worked, but they would have felt a little too polished for the warm weather. The slim sandals landed right in the middle: relaxed, clean, and just dressy enough.
The second test was a summer dress. Mine was a floaty midi dress that usually requires careful shoe planning because the wrong pair makes it look either too formal or too beachy. The barely-there sandals solved the problem instantly. They did not interrupt the hemline, and they made the whole outfit feel lighter. I added a small shoulder bag and suddenly had an outfit that worked for brunch, errands, and dinner. A true three-meal shoe.
The third test was comfort. Barely-there sandals are not always built for heroic walking. Some pairs are perfect for short outings but become personal enemies after 40 minutes. That is why I learned to separate my sandals by purpose. The delicate pair is for dinners, parties, and short city outings. The wide-strap cushioned pair is for travel days, markets, and long walks. The metallic pair is for evenings when my outfit needs a tiny bit of drama but I do not want to wear heels that require emotional support.
What surprised me most was how often the simple sandal looked better than a statement shoe. I used to think summer outfits needed bold footwear: bright colors, chunky soles, big buckles, loud details. Those are still fun, but a minimal sandal has a different power. It makes the clothes look more expensive. It gives the outfit breathing room. It lets the dress, trousers, jewelry, or bag do the talking while quietly finishing the look.
I also learned that neutral sandals do not have to be boring. A black strappy sandal feels sleek. A tan one feels relaxed. A nude one visually lengthens the leg. A gold one acts like jewelry. A white one looks crisp with denim and linen. Same basic shape, completely different mood. That is why the “goes with everything” claim is not just fashion exaggeration. When the design is simple enough, the color and styling do the heavy lifting.
By the end of the season, the barely-there sandals had earned their place. They were not the most dramatic shoes in my wardrobe, but they were the most useful. They saved outfits when nothing else looked right. They packed easily for weekends away. They worked with dresses I had nearly stopped wearing. They even made old jeans feel new again, which is impressive because those jeans have seen things.
If you are building a summer wardrobe, start with one affordable pair in a color you already wear often. Black if your closet leans city-chic. Tan or nude if you love light colors and linen. Metallic if you want one pair that can jump from day to night. Then wear them with everything for a week. Jeans, dresses, skirts, trousers, shortstry it all. You may discover, as I did, that the least complicated sandal becomes the hardest-working shoe of summer.
Conclusion
The £17 Next barely-there sandals capture exactly what makes a great summer shoe: they are affordable, easy to style, lightweight in appearance, and versatile enough to work with most warm-weather outfits. While trendier options like jelly sandals, toe-ring flats, wedges, and polished flip-flops are worth exploring, the minimalist strappy sandal remains the quiet hero of the season.
If your wardrobe needs one pair that can handle dresses, denim, linen, tailoring, and last-minute plans, barely-there sandals are a smart place to start. They may not scream for attention, but that is the point. They simply make everything look betterno drama, no fuss, no closet crisis required.
