Marilyn NK Knows the Power of a Great Shoe — Here’s Her Guide to the Summer Styles Worth Investing In for 2026
From elevated thong sandals to lace-up shoes, the heptathlete and content creator shares the summer shoes already in her wardrobe and the ones on her wishlist
With the arrival of spring, our minds have fully shifted to summer, and as we begin making some clever additions to our warm-weather wardrobes, one of the easiest, low-lift investments to make is updating your summer shoe collection. Building a forever wardrobe that works for you and your lifestyle means investing in pieces you’ll return to year after year, and switching up your footwear is an easy way to make your outfits feel instantly refreshed.
Which is why we enlisted one of our most knowledgeable shoe connoisseurs, Marie Claire UK Master, Marilyn NK, to curate the ultimate summer shoe edit.
Marilyn is loved for her polished everyday style, mixing key designer investments with hero pieces from the high street. She has built a wardrobe full of items that are not only interchangeable, but also work as elevated eveningwear with the addition of the right accessories — as discovered when Marie Claire’s Fashion Director, Lily Russo-Bah, met her for a wardrobe tour.
As a heptathlete and content creator, Marilyn understands the importance of comfortable footwear that doesn’t compromise on style. A few styles that consistently feature on her feed are elevated trainers, the perfect everyday loafers and statement heels. But what is she buying and wearing for summer?
Below, Marilyn breaks down the ultimate summer styles to invest in now.
Shop Marilyn's Summer 2026 Shoe Edit
These are my most recent purchase and I’m finding them surprisingly versatile. They pair effortlessly with jeans, tailored trousers and even dresses.
As well as being in my animal print moment, I’m also embracing animal textures. I love these croc print wedges, they have a great heel height that makes them comfortable, easy to wear, and perfect for styling throughout spring.
Loafers are a year round essential, arguably the most versatile shoe out there, as they pair effortlessly with everything from summer tailoring and shorts to autumn layers and winter knits. This particular pair is a great take on the iconic ysl loafers.
A great statement heel for the evening. I’d style these with a mini dress or cropped trousers to really showcase the beauty of the shoe, adding a statement maxi coat and finishing the look with an oversized clutch.
I’ve had these flip flops for years, and I find myself reaching for them every summer. They’re elegant, comfortable and incredibly versatile. I’d recommend sizing up, as they do run small.
I’m still having an animal print moment, it’s such an easy way to add interest to any outfit. These are perfect. I already have them in black, but I’ll definitely be adding this pair to my collection very soon.
This is a beautiful take on the classic thong sandal, the slightly thicker heel and straps give it a more modern, wearable feel. I’d style it with black kick flare trousers and a white shirt for the day, then switch to an LBD or a tailored suit for the evening.
I’ve always been a big fan of Roger Vivier shoes, they’re so effortlessly elegant. I especially love the mix of materials in this pair, the canvas detail makes them feel lighter and perfect for spring.
I recently purchased these to see if I loved the shape and how well they’d work with pieces already in my wardrobe before investing in the Chanel version. It turns out they work beautifully, the shape creates an almost glove-like fit that streamlines the foot and elevates the overall look of an outfit.
