It’s sandal season and I’m teaming up with Kim to share all the cute summer sandals on our radar.
It’s sandal season!
And today I’m joining Kim to explore our favorite sandal styles for summer.
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Flip flops, slides, espadrilles, wedges, platforms, etc.
There are so many styles of cute summer sandals.
All occasions and price points.
It’s impossible to cover them all.
These are some of my favorites.
A Few Classic Flats
I stopped by Nordstrom to browse their current sandal selection and asked about their top sellers. To my surprise, the top two are Tory Burch’s Miller sandal followed by Birkenstocks. Let’s talk about Tory. The Miller sandal has been around forever or so it seems. By all accounts they’re well-made and at the $200 price point they better be. They’re considered iconic, that said I’ve never owned a pair. I’m not big on the in-your-face logo. Not that I’m opposed to wearing logos. Anyway, not only are they the top seller at Nordstrom, I did a little inter-web research and they remain an overall, much sought after, favorite everywhere. The color options are endless.
The Hermes Oran sandal is of course the classic of classic flat sandals. At the $760 and up price point it’s definitely luxury. And while I’ve been known to splurge on the occasional shoe, it won’t be on a basic, flat sandal. Having said that, I admire the beautiful, classic design and construction of the Hermes Oran. For those of us who won’t be swanning around the Mediterranean on a mega-yacht this summer here are a few affordable alternatives.
Sam Edelman’s Bay Cutout sandal and Steve Madden’s Hayden come to mind and I own one of each. Both come in multiple colors and they hold up. I’ve been wearing mine for at least 10 years. Other brands I like are French Sole’s Alibi sandal and M. Gemi’s Mafalda sandal. And let’s not turn our noses up at Amazon The Drop’s Monika sandal. To end on a high (expensive) note, the Saint Laurent Tribute Nu Pieds sandal is a beauty … if that’s your situation.
Jack Rogers are another easily recognizable, classic sandal. I have four pair of Classic Jacks. Is that excessive?
I may not love a logo, but I’m all about a monogram. Design and monogram your Jack’s here.
Espadrilles & Wedge Mules
Espadrilles and wedges … I can’t get enough. Must be a throw back to my 70’s heyday. And I love a mule or slide. Ankle straps can give me blisters and it’s tough adjusting them, they’re either too tight or too loose. I’m talking about everyday espadrille and wedge sandals …. not sandals for dressier occasions where a slide or mule might be out of place. We’ll talk about dressy sandals later. As for espadrilles and wedges, I think the lower, flatter platform options are the most wearable and I’m loving these Kaanas Conchal raffia sandal.
A few weeks ago I shared my five essential summer dresses, and this pair of wedge sandals. I’ve been wearing them constantly and I can tell they’re going to be the workhorse of my summer. They’re super comfy and can be paired with everything from dresses to jeans to shorts … and everything in between.
The TOM’s Diana mule is on my wish list.
Donald Pliner’s Jocelyn wedge is a favorite too, in two neutral combinations, and navy and black. Their Fifi sandal is super cute … and versatile.
The Del Mar sandal is one of my favorites as is the very similar Layback.
Dole Vita’s Chavi’s are super cute.
Cordani’s Bella is another that makes me swoon. In fuchsia and eight other colors.
If you’re looking for a higher wedge, the Ithaca sandal by Donald Pliner is a beauty.
Flip Flops & Other Laid Back Sandals
Nothing says summer days at the beach like a worn-in pair of flip flops. Havaina, Cobian, Reef, OluKai whatever your favorite brand, flip flops feel like freedom to me. Growing up in Northern California I was never far from the beach, but I dreamed of sunnier Southern California beaches where I imagined lolling around on beach towel all day, occasionally donning shorts and flip flops and wandering up to the lunch stand. Somehow that carefree beach life never materialized and my flip flops are worn to run errands and other mundane things. And, yes, they occasionally make it to the beach.
Last summer I replaced my ratty old Cobian’s with a sleeker pair of OluKais.
Don’t these Havaina x Farm Rio scream Wasted Away Again in Margaritaville?
Mish Mash of Cool Sandal Styles I Like
A few sandals that jumped out at me during my cruise through Nordstrom …
These Ivy Ruffle Raffia Slides from Larroude are so good. I mean, the ruffle! I tried on the hot pink and there are several other happy colors as well as neutrals.
Also from Larroude, the Hibiscus sandal. These give me 70’s vibes and remind me of my stylish aunt. If you’re not smiling I don’t know what to say.
These Dolce Vita Gabbi faux pear embellished slides came home with me. Enough said.
I’ve noticed a lot of sandals with metal toe rings. And I like it.
The crossover sandal is everywhere. Jenni Kayne does it well. This is also good. And this. And this.
I’m kind of in love with Beek Gallito and Tori slides.
I won’t be shamed by my love of the puffy slide. Roam’s Foldy slides are the best. Bionic’s Safari Mayla is puffy-ish. And I think this Day Twist sandal will be more palatable to some and still qualify as puffy. More puffers here, here and here.
These Enola Slides look cute and comfortable and they’re on my wish list too.
Happy Feet
Not to be indelicate but we have to address foot issues. I’m talking about dropped arches, bunions, hammer toes and other unpleasant but hard-won trophies from years (decades) of cramming our feet into uncomfortable shoes. Of course we looked fabulous in our sky high, pointy toed stilettos … and now we have to pay the piper. Oh, the horror of it all.
I developed three neuromas in my left foot that reared their ugly heads just before Kyle and Melody’s wedding and they’ve caused nothing but discomfort and distress ever since. I made the unwise decision to power through the wedding festivities in fabulous, gold Jimmy Choo platform sandals which made the situation that much worse. Do I regret it? Not. One. Bit.
Since then I’ve mostly followed my doctor’s advice by wearing more supportive and sensible shoes. Eye roll. In the sandal department this can be more challenging. While I love classic flats, their downside is a lack of foot bed support. And if they do have adequate support, I probably don’t want to be caught dead in them. This has led me to embrace Birkenstocks which are enjoying quite the renaissance. And, according to my local Nordstrom, the second most popular sandal in sales.
I own the basic black Arizona’s. Boring. There are so many more interesting styles and colors available.
Dressy Sandals
Let’s end on a happy note. If you’re getting gussied up for summer weddings and other events and soirees, you’ll be looking for a dressier sandal. I’ve gotten smarter about choosing a lower heel … block or kitten. I’ve been wearing these Vince Camuto block heel sandals with just about everywhere. These Steve Madden’s are a similar option.
For more formal occasions, these kitten heels are very pretty. These too. And these Mini Annie sandles from Larroude are really good … in gold and ivory.
When attending weddings, I stash a pair of flat sandals in my bag, or car, to change into, if necessary, toward the end of the event or for dancing. I have a pair of gold Jack Rogers sandals that I bought for Kyle and Melody’s wedding after-party. I danced until the wee hours in total comfort. The next day was another story.
So, there you have it, my favorite cute summer sandals.
Book a pedicure, summer is almost here!
Let’s head over to see what’s on Kim’s summer sandal radar.
I always love hearing your thoughts, so drop a comment below.
And I’ll see you Saturday when I join Kim and Elizabeth for our weekend inspirations.
Until then, cheers from Snowberry!
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