Take this weekend’s sweltering weather as a sign — summer is around the corner. And with that comes sandal season.
After hiding all winter and this past chilly spring in our socks and winter boots, our tootsies are begging to be freed. That means showing them off in sandals that are by turns fun, colorful, glitzy, earthy, high, low, comfy or straight-up glam. Here are a few fabulous options to consider right now.
Earthy: As if Birkenstocks weren’t crunchy enough, Sorel Sneakers the company just created a vegan version of one of its most popular styles. The new Sienna ($110 on birkenstock.com) has all the timeless characteristics of the shoe style — two straps, matte buckles, an anatomically shaped footbed — but with a canvas upper and microfiber footbed lining. And it comes in style-conscious hues like eggshell and soft pink, so there’s no confusing it with its classic Birks cousins.
Innocent: Greek Islands meet nautical New England in these simple-as-can-be, universally versatile flats. The INDY slide ($75 on dolcevita.com) sports puffy braid detailing (in shades that veer from simple off-white to cool lavender) and a rubber outsole, so you can wear them from the pool to the farmer’s market without worrying about slipping.
Glitzy: Nothing lights up an outfit like a slice of metallic leather — especially when it’s on a shoe that defies the usual silhouettes. The Console Lug ($550 on tamaramellon.com) in khaki lame is drenched in metal from its top (a soft Nappa leather) and bed (a cushy pillow top made of high-density memory foam) to its bottom (a lightweight rubber lug sole). Wear it with virtually anything; the gold acts like the coolest neutral you could imagine.
Medium: For height fused with comfort, wedges and platforms are summer go-tos. I love the Willow Platform Sandal ($89.95 on toms.com). Its two-piece, 3-inch platform (lined with the classic, pretty espadrille weave) has a rubber sole and the suede uppers are Keen Shoes For Women adjustable for total comfort. Bonus: They’re eco-conscious, thanks to insoles made with 32% eco content (15% waste foam, 5% recycled content and 12% bio-oils).
Comfy: Comfort doesn’t have to mean dowdy. The proof? Designs like the Sominic Women Sandals Orthopedic Wedge Soles ($45.99 on sominic.com). Their lacy, embroidered leather design is stretchy and breathable, and they’ve got anatomical arch support to ease foot and back pain. Even better, they’re slip-resistant and come in colors ranging from cheery red to dusty yellow.
All-out glam: Sometimes you just need to reach for something that’s guaranteed to dial up the vavoom factor. That’s where designs like the Gebbrian Platform Sandal by Vince Camuto ($77.98 to $85.98 on dsw.com) come into play — decked out in faux snakeskin print or a cool pool blue shade.