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Elusive are the sandals that merge stylishness with walkability. That are strong enough to handle whatever summer throws at them, with components that don’t rub or dig or flap or gape. No wonder the search for the right summer sandals has become an annual mission.
“I definitely didn’t feel like I hit the mark last year,” says Joyce Lee, a former Madewell designer who recently became creative director of California-based accessories brand Parker Thatch. “It’s weirdly hard to find something that looks good and feels good. It’s that balance between the right design on the upper and the construction that makes it comfortable.”
At the beginning of the summer, Lee ordered 20 pairs to try. She returned 17. The three that made her cut were Marcella’s Drews — “I love how light and flexible they are” ($168, marcellanyc.com); Ancient Greek Sandals’ Kansiz style (£145, ancient-greek-sandals.com), featuring a delicate strap that twines around the foot (“not something I would wear for a 20,000-step day, but they’re great”); and Khaite’s studded Boden sandals (£1,130, khaite.com).
What to look for in this summer’s sandal assortment? Survey the sandal-scape and it’s clear that after the chunky utility styles, fisherman sandals and jellies of summers past, the prevailing look this season is more Grecian and minimal. You’ll note lots of toe loops (Trendalytics data shows searches for “toe-ring sandals” are up 149 per cent year on year) and metallic hardware (like jewellery for your foot — no anklets needed).
“Our gold hardware draws a lot of people in,” says Amanu founder Anita Patrickson, whose Kibera and Samburu leather sandals feature gold-tone brass hardware over the toe loop and ankle straps (£360 and £530, amanustudio.com). The metallic detail “adds a touch of edge and glamour to a look without having to do any work for it . . . [It] lends itself to all those outfits that you could wear a heel with but want to opt for comfort instead.”
Jelly sandals, meanwhile, haven’t disappeared — they’ve evolved. At Loeffler Randall, “the momentum just continues”, says brand founder Jessie Randall. The Dana, a minimalist sandal with a gold ball detail, and the Rhys rhinestone-embellished cage sandals are both bestsellers (both $210, loefflerrandall.com). “Our customer has a sweet spot for anything that can be worn both dressy and casual.”
For those less committed to a sandal that feels like a proper shoe, flip-flops are on the rise. “It’s the summer of the flip-flop, for sure,” says Net-a-Porter fashion director Kay Barron, who impulse-ordered a pair of Aeyde leather flippies after a recent shoot in Barcelona (£240, net-a-porter.com). “We’ve been in chunky sandals for so long — the streamlined simplicity of a flip-flop just updates outfits quickly.”
Flip-flop styles are performing well for Ancient Greek Sandals, too — the brand has sold 1,400 pairs so far this year, says founder Christina Martini. The standouts are the translucent jellies (£95, ancient-greek-sandals.com), which are “a bit like candy or sorbet”, Martini says. “They’re fun and you can wear them with everything.”
Cute, sure, but I’m personally only interested in sandals that are flat but not too flat, with enough coverage that my feet don’t feel naked and enough support that I don’t feel reverberations from every foot strike. Life’s too short for hard, thin soles. And they should be stylish enough to add at least a touch of interest to an outfit.
I’m still searching (clearly), but since the recent heatwave I’ve been alternating between a pair of silver leather two-strap footbed sandals with a white outsole and Penelope Chilvers’ brown Shepherdess sandals (£129, penelopechilvers.com). I also have my eye on Charlotte Stone’s plaited leather Chads, which combine a cheering colour mix plus a heel strap; Jamie Haller’s Walking sandal, and a couple of leather styles from Toteme (£220, charlotte-stone.com; £397, shop-jamiehaller.com; £234 on sale, net-a-porter.com).
Other nominations from women who know a good sandal when they find one: Dear Frances’s Tye knotted slides (£390, uk.dearfrances.com); Soeur’s Mexico or Florence sandals (£185, soeur.uk); Teva Voya Infinity sandals (Mary-Kate Olsen wears these; £40, teva-eu.com).
Of course, you won’t know if a style is your sandal until you try it on. I recently ordered A Emery’s Jalen slim leather sandals, a style widely praised as perfect (£160, amery.com). My foot swam amid its many non-adjustable straps. “With a lot of these sandals, it depends on the width and shape of your foot and ankle,” Lee concedes. Don’t forget to factor in swelling in hot weather, your commitment to pedicures and other delightful variables. May the sandal odds be ever in your favour.
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