Dressing your feet for summer is one of the trickiest seasonal conundrums. The thrill of a new leather sandal can be swiftly dampened by a blister. Similarly, the sight of a colleague’s unkempt toes in a slider will put you off your Pret sandwich.
I worry about showing too much skin in town, mostly due to the grime and changeable weather. A filthy, rain soaked foot is never chic. Here are five trend-led thoughts which offer an update for those in search of something beyond an Arizona Birkenstock…
The heeled flip flop
At a recent fashion show I noted that fellow front row-ers were tapping their feet in kitten heeled flip flops. The key here is for a chunky thong — the flimsier styles, which you may recall from Noughties fashion mistakes past, aren’t quite right. The sturdiness is part of the point. Dear Frances has a great pair, as does Arket, which come in a soft buttery hue which will work with everything.
Flis sandal, £450, uk.dearfrances.com
Leather thong sandal, £189, sandals-yellow.1220139003.html">arket.com
The jelly
I know, I know. Don’t shoot the messenger. Thanks be to The Row and its plastic cage shoes, jellies are making a sticky comeback. If you’re game, Ancient Greek Sandals have multiple options, the flat ballerina style Iro are fun and come in lots of popping colours. There are also gladiator styles, here I am going to draw a line. Unless you are at primary school, avoid. For a cheap and cheerful dip in, see Northampton-based JuJu. Its pointed flat version recall a core Eighties childhood memory of a similar pair I lusted over in M&S. “Absolutely not,” said my mother.
Christabel, £26, jujufootwear.com
Iro, £89, ancient-greek-sandals.com
The gladiator
The ancient fisherman familiar rebranded as a “cage shoe” continues its ascent into summer shoe pole position. Personally, I love a gladiator. They give a sturdy base to any look, will help inject an element of cool to floral dresses, and can be nicely unexpected with tailoring or jeans. Grenson is always a good place to start for a decent, long-life leather shoe; its Quinta style comes with a good sole. Me and Em also has a great pair in white, while Barbour has turned out a very helpful pair in classic brown.
Quinta, £195, grenson.com
Macy, £89, Barbour, schuh.co.uk
The posh slider
Introducing a new player to these shores, Rothy’s is the sustainably minded footwear brand which crafts its pieces from recycled plastic bottles. California girls Gwyneth Paltrow and the Duchess of Sussex are both fans. Its ballerina-style espadrille with ankle tie is sweet, while its knotted sandal is an ideal way to add a classy colour pop to your look. Other fancy sliders are available. Loeffler Randall’s raffia bow-decked ones will work for weddings, work and anything in between.
The Summer Sandal, £160, rothys.com
Daphne raffia slides, £215, Loeffler Randall, net-a-porter.com
The boat shoe
Now here’s a plot-twist we didn’t see coming: Salcombe yachting favourite, Hurlingham staple, King’s Road trotter, yes the boat or deck shoe has made a curious emergence from the Home Counties, courtesy of Miu Miu. Those now cult options have long sold out, but there are plenty of others around to pick up. I like the idea of them with a white mid-ankle sock, lean into that preppy mood! Irony, essential. See Jones Bookmaker for a white take with contrasting laces, while Timberland has a chunky, flatform take which feels spot on.
Leather boat shoes, £95, Jones Bootmaker, marksandspencer.com
Stone street boat shoe, £180, timberland.co.uk
