Strappy, heeled or slip-on, wearing sandals gives our feet time to breathe.
These open-toe and often open-foot shoes help keep us cool and allow us to accessorize outfits in a new way in steamy weather.
Choosing the correct sandal for an outfit is all about styling and how you add other pieces to create your look, says Erin Sumwalt, fashion market director for InStyle magazine.
While the gladiator sandal is a huge trend again this summer, the fabrics this year are not as edgy and dark, Sumwalt says.
"The way they are designed this year makes them much easier to wear," Sumwalt says. "The gladiator sandal is being done in a much more delicate way. You don't have to be 10 feet tall to wear them, because they may have a thinner strap, which is much more flattering on most any woman's leg."
Look for them in nude, taupe and metallic. There are many options to fit most body types and allow transformation from day to evening.
Some offer flirty embellishments -- feathers, rhinestones and fringe -- which make them perfect to pair with a dress, Sumwalt says.
"We are looking at essentially three types of sandals for summer," says Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom's fashion director. "The heeled platform gladiator with a lot of band, the wedge sandal and the pancake-flat sandal, which have more detail than ever."
The gladiator is dubbed "the seasonless sandal" because it covers a lot of skin, he says, and it can be worn into the fall with socks. "Metallics go with lots of outfits and can usually be worn in an office setting," says Zoe Glassner, senior shopping editor at Marie Claire. "Keep your flip-flops for the beach, especially if you live in the city. ... Choose a nice flat sandal. They can be as comfortable as flip-flops, and they will look great." The gladiator is more grown-up this summer, says Tracey Lomrantz, Slaves to Fashion blogger for Glamour.com. The new design has combined the cage look with a higher heel to give the shoe more sophistication. And then there is the classic wedge. "Wedges are an amazing summer shoe," Lomrantz says. "It is comfortable to stand on for long periods of time and also is very cute. An espadrille is your classic summer shoe, one that always looks good. Brigitte Bardot wore them and designer Michael Kors still designs them, so it is a shoe that transcends time." The most basic sandal -- a flat made of leather in a neutral color with a T-strap -- goes with every look for summer, Lomrantz says. Sandals can be the most powerful fashion accessory, says Eileen Lewis, director of fashion strategy for Zappos.com, because they can dress up or down an outfit.
Because sandals come in various heights, it gives them the ability to take an outfit from day to evening, she says. Sandals can be worn virtually year round -- except in snow and ice -- depending on which styles you choose. They also can be worn to work, depending on your place of business, says Dennis Comeau, designer for Bernardo sandals. Bernard Rudofsky invented the modern-day fashion sandal in 1947. Comeau says Bernardo is credited with starting the gladiator sandal trend. "The most important thing is comfort," Comeau says. "The great thing about our flat sandals is you can dress up or dress down and be casual with the same sandal. And our sandals make a nice statement without screaming 'Look at me!' And so, being comfortable means not only being pain free, but also feeling good and confident about the way you look." Sixties throwback sandals with fringe are a hot look, says Jani Strand, vice president public relations and corporate communications for American Eagle Outfitters. These are part of the "boho chic" trend celebrities are wearing. Details such as woven leather, large stones and metallic colors are part of this trend, she says. "For summer, flat sandals are offered with lots of details like gem stones and metallic colors, so they have the ability to make any outfit look chic," Strand says. "The American Eagle Woven Gladiator Sandal is definitely something that can be paired with any outfit. It is available in three different metallic colors, which dress it up and add subtle sparkle. It's extremely versatile and goes great with anything from a summer dress to short shorts and can be worn from day into night.
"This season, you can dress up a look with anything from a flat to a heel," she says. Sidestep Pain:This summer's stylish sandals are definite attention grabbers, but they can force you to focus on foot pain. The American Podiatric Medical Association offers solutions to pain-free feet: Flats and slides: Can cause arch and heel pain from inadequate cushioning and foot support. Solution: Avoid prolonged wearing. Try cushioned inserts for shock absorption. Select a sole that doesn't twist excessively.Gladiator and strappy: Can cause irritation between toes. Callouses and dead skin build up around the heels due to lack of support and shock absorption. Solution: Select natural materials such as soft, supple leather, and ensure a proper fit with no toes or heels hanging off the edge.Platform and high heels: Can cause pain in the ball of the foot and ankle injuries. Solution: Wear lower, more stable heels (less than 2 inches in height) and use an APMA-accepted insert.Wedge and espadrille: Can cause ankle twists or sprains, instability and difficulty walking. Solution: Try a wider, flatter wedge and rubber soles with good traction.Peep-toe: Can cause bunions and hammertoes and put loads of pressure on the tootsies. Solution: Wear only for short periods of time. Use an APMA-approved toe pad.Ankle wrap: Lack of adequate ankle support is an issue. Friction causes blisters. Solution: Try ankle wraps made of a soft, breathable material such as leather, cotton or satin, and be sure the ankle wrap is not too tight. Source: American Podiatric Medical Association
