a summer shoes digest
why are sandals so meek??? and why is it already so hot outside???
We all know summer is the worst season for fashion.
I live in Alabama, ok. I’ve endured brutal southern summers my entire life and yet every summer still feels like the first one.
It’s hot. It’s humid. We’re all sweating profusely and pretending we’re not. Our outfits are devoid of layers, immediately stripping all ensembles of visual interest. Everything is lightweight and frumpy. Things lean boho :/ Shoe options are depressing, leaving our arches deserted and our heels cracked.
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying looking cute and cool during the summer months is impossible. It’s possible; but achieving that summer chic vibe is COMPLEX. And requires analysis.
THE SUMMER DILEMMA
WHY is summer fashion so complex, you ask?
Fewer clothes in your outfit formula means less opportunity for visual interest - tis the season for BORING.
Short sleeves and no sleeves. These two things are not inherently bad by ANY means. But I almost exclusively wear long sleeves, which prove uncomfortable in the heat. I rely on sculpture and shape when getting dressed, and lightweight clothes often lack the structure I crave.
Linen. Blek. With the exception of a few pieces, I realllllly don’t like linen. It reads mature and uninspired to me. I like fabrications that read ‘strong’ and the delicate and unrefined look of linen just doesn’t serve me personally.
Fabrication jail. Summer limits us to lightweight fabrications like jersey, linen and terry cloth. Which, again, are not inherently bad AT ALL. But in the context of getting dressed in the summer as a Creative Pragmatist, being limited to such limp fabrications is exceedingly frustrating.
SHOES. The reason why you’re reading this. Summer shoes are beachy (blek), thin, lightweight and expose your feet to the elements, making them dirty, weathered and sweaty. Summer shoes are also SO BASIC :( Possibly the worst offense of all.
The moral here? Summer, as a context, is at odds with our style spirits. Fashion is MORE. And summer demands LESS.
So I figured for today’s newsletter, I’d work on behalf of the public and compile a list of good summer shoes that will support our collective mission: Surviving summer and looking cool both literally and figuratively.
Why am I starting with shoes when it comes to the Summer Dilemma? Because when I’m in a rut and can’t decide what to wear, I start with shoes and work my way up. This approach has never failed me.
THE CRITERIA:
Quality + Durability | Shark Tank has taught me a lot about margins. And I can’t help but think that we’re all getting a bit scammed when it comes to buying sandals. The amount of material is so little and the price tag remains so high :((( But as shoe lovers, we must endure.
The only way to sleep good at night is to choose good fabrications like leather that are worth your money OR buy shoes at a lower price point if the only other options are poor quality + expensive.
RE: Durability – heat and sweat combined with wear + tear degrade materials overtime, so prioritzing quality fabrications that are also durable is crucial when considering cost-per-wear. Nylon and leather are my go-tos for durable fabrications.
Proportion + Scale | Proportions are extremely important to me. I feel cool, strong and confident in sculptural cuts and oversized shapes that have structure. I also prefer to be at either end of extremes – hardly ever in the middle. So, I either need my shoes to be on the larger side or very very low-profile. This juxtaposition is interesting and draws the eye in without confusing it.
Summer shoes are typically thin and meek. And not in a clever way. Like, you’re showing your toes for Christ’s sake!! Own it!!
And there actually is a way to convey a sleek, low-profile shoe in a cool way (see below). BUT LEAN IN. Don’t live in the in-between. By looking for shoes that have interesting shapes and thoughtful scale, we’re one step closer to overcoming the mediocrity of the season.
Comfort | Summer is the season of moving, shaking, traveling – being outdoors all the time if that’s your thing. Unfortunately, women’s shoes rarely account for practicality and the fact that women are doing literally EVERYTHING in the home and outside of it. But that’s a conversation for another day.
Discomfort is somewhat of an inevitability when it comes to women’s shoes, but by being intentional in buying based on our lifestyles, we can mitigate at least some of the pain. Prioritize comfort when possible!
GOOD SUMMER SHOES:
Kitten heels are real real good. The shape of these Khaite sandals is sooo good and I’ve heard the quality is amazing. TRR has a few different pairs right now!
I own manyyy pairs of Tibi shoes, and I can vouch for the brand’s quality. It’s great. And Tibi’s styles and color ways are cool and modern. These Aston sandals are an iteration of one they do every summer, and I think they’re so interesting. They also have the tiniest flat heel on the back that adds an oomph to any outfit.
More kitten heels bc duh.
Everybody needs a low-key flip flop/sandal option in their closet. And Havianas is a classic option. They have tons of interesting styles that are also basic and affordable. I use my shoes as a pop of color in my outfits most days, so these orange babies below are calling my nameeee.
St. Agni always has great, low-profile sandals that are impeccable quality and also timeless. TRR has many of their styles available now.
Fun shoes are a must for me. I’ve also been having a moment with purple. And Marni. So these flats are kind of perfect.
Y’all already know that I’m INFATUATED with the Tibi borg sock boot and will sing its praises until the day I die. My nude pair has been in constant rotation, and my sights are set on the red ones now….
The borg is low-key but also elevated and quite substantial. And so comfortable?? It’s the solution to all of your outfit problems.
I’m not a fisherman sandal gal. It’s a bit too literal for me. BUT I am now lusting over HERU’s version of a fishmeran sandal in this really interesting shape and fabrication. If you’re feeling the urge to lean into a trend while shopping for shoes this summer, take the trend and turn it on its head. Look for interesting adaptations that speak to your unique perspective.
Another trend we’re seeing everywhere right now: Boat shoes. I won’t lie and say that I’m not intrigued….. But not intrigued enough to drop 1K on the Miu Miu ones. So, I’ve found a great alternative.
I am and always will be an LL Bean stan and love the heritage quality of their products. They have many styles of the boat shoe available now that scratch this trend itch.
Me oh my. This type of baby wedge shoe is living rent-free in my mind right now. It’s amazing for so many reasons: We’re still close enough to the 2010s for this style of shoe to read ironic, which I love. It’s also a style that’s approachable and can be worn with casual outfits or something a tad more dressed up.
The shape, when done well, is beautiful and streamlined. THEY’RE SO GOOD. The St. Agni ones are on sale and in my cart :)
I’m running around a lot for work, so I need a sneaker in my life. My issue with sneakers is that they can read very literal. Part of my style is being unexpected, and I fear that wearing a casual outfit with sneakers is too predictable.
But if I have to be predictable, I at least want to look cool. These three sneaker options are LESS PREDICTABLE variations of trendy shoes right now. They’re good.
What shoes are y’all wearing this summer? LMK in the comments <3
xoxo
kw
I love your Tibi Borg sock boots! Does it run true to size? I have a pair of their square toe slides (Granger) and the front is very low and kind of press down on my toes. Wonder if these have the same issue?
I’ve got my eye on the Tibi Dwayne… in the meantime I’m wearing a Birkenstock/Staud collab sandal a lot lately. Probably it’s basic. But I wear with socks sometimes?! Time to put the boots away and pull out the rest of the summer shoes (in Seattle!)