This Once-Cringey '90s Shoe Trend Is Back

Reported by Harper's Bazaar.

Wedges are having a moment, and yes, we're surprised too. Once relegated to the realm of uncomfortable mall finds and matronly brunch wear, the polarizing sandal has quietly infiltrated Spring/Summer 2026 collections with a kind of stripped-back elegance that actually feels current. According to Harper's Bazaar, designers are shedding the dated associations and reframing the silhouette as something closer to quiet luxury than cringe—which, frankly, is a redemption arc we didn't see coming.

The difference this time around is restraint. Khaite's thong wedges sit alongside pared-back tailoring and minimal occasion dresses, while Simkhai pivoted toward heeled flip-flops that work equally well on a Greek island or a city street. Selena Gomez recently validated the comeback in brown wedges with a delicate toe-ring strap, proving the shape doesn't have to scream "I raided my mom's closet." These aren't the heavily bedazzled disasters of the early 2000s—think clean lines, subtle finishes, and a focus on proportion over embellishment.

Function meets fashion

Beyond the aesthetic shift, there's something genuinely practical happening here. Wedges offer stability, lift, and actual wearability in ways that spindle heels and flat flip-flops simply don't. They're the shoes that move seamlessly from morning errands to evening plans, which, if we're being honest, is the only kind of shoe worth owning right now. They pack easily for vacations, work with wedding guest dresses, and pair effortlessly with linen, flowy skirts, and relaxed denim without requiring outfit gymnastics.

The blueprint for wearing wedges now is deliberately understated: opt for minimal straps, balanced proportions, and neutral colorways. Thong styles are leading the charge, followed closely by mules that capture that '90s ease with elevated polish. If you're feeling bolder, platform wedges—very Rachel Greene—are also resurfacing. The key is avoiding the maximalist impulse that killed them the first time around. This is about ease, not effort.

So yes, wedges are back, and the good news is they're finally designed for actual human beings.

Read the original at Harper's Bazaar.