Oh the joy of women’s sandals. There’s really nothing more liberating than the barely there feeling of sandals on your feet, especially after a long winter of thick socks and heavy boots. Slip them right on and off you go, whether to the beach, office, a walk in the park or for some urban window browsing. Though classic sandal styles like the flip flop, the Birkenstock, the gladiator and the Buffalo sandal remain, new variations and hybrids are always being created by shoe designers. Spring and summer are also about reconnecting with all the elements, so whether it’s jute, cork, metallic, rubber, leather, or fabric that attract your feet, always make sure they’re comfortable before you take them home. From professional open-toed block heels, to funky downtown platforms, to Mediterranean espadrilles, or Aphrodite lace-up sandals, there are never ending styles of sandals for women to choose from. We’ve narrowed down the offerings to give you our spring women’s sandals update for ultimate chic feet.
In Elle’s “25 Must Have Sandals,” the slide, a so-called fusion between the mule and the Birkenstock took center stage. The humble slide sandal was also once notorious as the choice of off-court basketball players before top fashion designers gave them a makeover in luxurious padded leather, igniting a full blown footwear trend. In addition to being comfortable, slides (which don’t have any straps) are flattering and make legs look extra-long. There was also a throwback Dr. Scholl‘s sandal in blue and white striped fabric and a glamour-infused Birkenstock with jewels.
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The editors at Harper Bazaar’s featured women’s sandals that were less conventional and more theatrical for this season’s picks. Such as Chloé’s hit this season: that grey and butter-soft leather wedge gladiator. Wear them with your most ethereal dress and do you best impression of a living Greek goddess. Then there were the elegant, yet bohemian line of platform sandals (aka “flatforms”) by Creatures of the Wind. Pair these beauties with rolled up pants or a simple black tank dress.
Cosmopolitan’s’ “Shoegasm” list featured a stunning white platform-wedge with thin multicolored straps by Rebecca Taylor for Imax Tree. In fact, the rubber white platform, inspired by the comfort of sneakers, was spotted all over the runway this season. Like this chunky hybrid sneaker-sandal with a platform durable enough to climb mountains in by Marni or Peter Pilotto’s sporty flatform featured in Glamour’s pics.
Ultimately, isn’t summer about letting your inner bohemian run wild? For that upcoming outdoor music concert you plan to attend to, why not sport some fringe or suede sandals like it was 1969? Grab your widest, longest, most comfortable cotton peasant skirt and pair it with something along the lines of what Vogue selected for “The 8 Best Festival Girl Sandals of Summer 2015.” Each pair on this list was purely a work of visual art to be worn for high stylin’ outdoor fun. We especially loved the pony printed slide-ons and, though we loved Valentino’s flower power beauties, they weren’t so bohemian in their thousand dollar price tag. In the meantime, we’ll be wearing our favorite t-strapped and criminally- comfy Birkenstocks in search of some Valentino knock offs.
