10 best women's mules you won't want to take off all summer
If you ever owned a pair of chunky-heeled mules in the 90s, you'll remember the benefits.
For those who have yet to don the humble mule, the beauty of these backless shoes is that they are the perfect hybrid between flats and high heels; they can dress up any outfit while still feeling casual.
The good news is that this ankle-flashing trend is back this season.
We've tried on endless pairs to find you our favourites, with a range of styles from bright suede to Perspex.
There's something for every occasion – although most of these mules will take you from the office to drinks with ease.
As the weather warms up its time to put away the boots and paint your toes as you're bound to find your dream pair of summer mules in this roundup.
River Island leather ball trim block heel mules: £55, River Island
If you’re looking for an everyday mule for the warmer months, then this is the pair for you. This pair were some of the comfiest we tried: the real leather is soft and spongy to walk on and the wide straps combine style and practicality brilliantly. Will a chunky buckle ever go out of style? We doubt it, and love that detail on these mules, along with the square 2.7” heel and the gold ball trim around the sole. This is are a staple shoe that would go with most outfits which win on comfort and quality. Also available in wide fit, and in a range of other colours and prints.
Guilhermina Cross-Strap Patent-Leather Mules: £120, Anthropologie
What we love most about these vintage-looking mules is the heel: the rather squat (at just 2") egg shaped heel gives a playful and modern twist to the classic crossover and rounded toe style. From Brazilian brand Guilherina, where they’re also made, it’s a quality shoe with leather soles and patent leather uppers. We think they’re easy to wear to work and because of the patent leather, they can be worn with a midi-length summery dress to a wedding as well. We love them in yellow the most, but they also come in cream, navy and black and white snake print.
Missguided nude faux suede clear block heel sandals: £30, Missguided
The Perspex trend has taken the fashion world by storm this year thanks to designers such as Chanel, Prada and Yeezy covering their spring/summer shows with translucent accessories, from thigh-highs to handbags – and of course, heels. These nude mules are a perfect way to don the clear shoe style of the summer, and no – they aren’t as uncomfortable as they look. The 4” block heel is chunky enough to walk in easily, and the clear wide strap supports your foot well. We loved pairing these with jeans and a simple tee to let the statement shoes do the talking, they really make an outfit. The faux suede does scuff easily, so be prepared to clean them.
Whistles arcade asymmetric mule: £129, Whistles
This statement shoe is the perfect go-to for ultimate comfort and effortless chic thanks to its asymmetric front design – which we absolutely love – and is what makes this mule different to anything else we’ve seen. Wear with white or black cropped jeans to really show them off, or long floral print skirts for a bright and clashing look. The 2.3" chunky shaped heel makes them low enough for everyday wear and they're so comfy that we're obsessed.
New Look mustard leather-look woven peep toe mules: £29.99, New Look
Another summer staple, we were really impressed with the quality of these mules by New Look – the faux leather sole is cushioned for comfort and the woven upper felt airy for hotter days. We love this mustard colour that instantly reminds us of summer and the square toe is a stylish touch. The 3” block heel felt sturdy and was comfortable enough to wear during the day. Pair this with a straw bag and a denim jacket and you’ll be summer ready.
Miss Selfridge green multi strap mules: £20, Miss Selfridge
This deep shade of apple green is one of our favourite colours this season and we love the chunky block 3" heel on these shoes, which contrasts with the strappy front and square toe. They’re perfect for someone looking for a comfy mid-height mule that can go from day to night, and can easily slip on and off, but do beware these aren’t the best fit for someone with wider feet.
Public Desire paddington lace up block heeled mules: £29.99, Public Desire
The lace up strappy heel has been a huge trend for the past couple of years and Instagram-famous footwear brand Public Desire has adopted the style onto these mules which we love for the summer. The matte black sandals are comfortable with supportive padding on the sole, while the 3” heel make these an everyday staple to wear with floaty summer dresses and denim skirts. Our only complaint was that the thick material of the lace makes it quite difficult to tie them up neatly on the leg, but we soon got the hang of it. We wrapped the lace around twice and tied into a bow at the back which adds a lovely detail to your look.
Marks & Spencer Collection multi strap mules: £19.50, Marks & Spencer
What doesn’t silver go with? Exactly. We’re wearing these shoes with long floaty floral dresses to events and dark blue jeans at the weekends. The top band of these strappy heels has a little piece of elastic to make it easier to get them on and off, but still fits snugly across the top of the arch of your foot. The 2" heel is nice and low making them great to wear for long periods of time, too.
River Island brown chain block heel mules: £48, River Island
These scream summer evening outfit, whether you’re in a beer garden or having dinner by the beach. The chain detailing on the faux leather straps make a statement without losing their versatility – the tan shade goes with almost everything. We love the glossy snakeskin print on the block heel and square toe too. These mules were comfortable and really flattering on. At 3.7”, the heel is slightly higher than other everyday options in this roundup – but depending how brave you are, we think these would look great in the office with a pair of white wide leg trousers, too.
New Look black faux croc circular block heel mules: £25.99, New Look
Croc print is everywhere at the moment, so we couldn’t complete a mule roundup without a pair in this print. These are slip on’s with attitude – the black patent material of the upper part of the shoe is lined for added comfort and we love the circular 4” heel as it balances out the bold look. Add edge to a feminine look by pairing these with a floral midi skirt or blue mom jeans.
The verdict: Women's mules
We love River Island's leather ball trim block heel mules for an everyday staple shoe, they are really comfortable and the gold detailing and square heel make these our favourite. For something a bit bolder, the arcade asymmetric mules from Whistles were also some of the comfiest we tried – the unusual design paired with the bright colour will make a statement all summer long.
