Sandals are the must-have summer footwear. But shopping for them can be challenging, thanks to the various styles available. Search for women’s sandals on DSW or Nordstrom’s website, and you’ll get thousands of results.
There are plenty of filters to aid your online shopping, but that requires a knowledge of sandal styles. What’s the difference between a strappy sandal and a fisherman sandal? Are wedges and espadrilles the same thing, or are they two separate shoes? These types of questions make navigating shoe shopping difficult.
That’s why we’ve created the ultimate sandal style guide to end your buying woes. Use it to identify the types of shoes you like best or learn the name of that one sandal kind you’re looking for.
Sandal Heel Styles
Flat Sandals
Flat sandals are perfect if you don’t want any heels on your shoes. They feature a thin, flat sole similar to a ballet flat. Most don’t have much arch support, so they’re not great for long walks but work perfectly for casual outings.
Platform Sandals
If your sandal’s sole is an inch or more tall, it’s a platform. While tall, most don’t have high heels, making them more comfortable for everyday wear. The platform also offers more support and stability than a traditional heel.
Wedges
The wedge style is perfect for those who want the look of a high heel without the pain. With a wedge, the sole grows thicker at the back of the shoe, creating lift, rather than having a separate heel. Because your weight is evenly distributed, you won’t wobble or be in pain.
Kitten Heel
The kitten heel is another great option for those who don’t love high heels. These shoes, with one to two-inch heels, go back to the 17th century and have gone in and out of style ever since. They’ve come back recently, thanks to aesthetics like Y2K.
Heeled Sandals
High heels and heeled sandals tend to be interchangeable. The defining feature of a heeled sandal is straps rather than a one-piece upper. Many people prefer a blockier heel for summer, but stilettos and stacked heels are also popular.
Sandal Styles
T-Straps
T-strap sandals are recognized by their strap, a bar across the top of the foot with a long strap that ends by the toes. Slip-on versions and ones with ankle straps make this casual shoe as secure as you want.
Strappy Sandals
These sandals have multiple straps crisscrossing your foot, ankle, and leg, sometimes up to the knee. The higher they go, the harder they are to keep up, but their stylish ballerina vibe is amazing.
Gladiators
The gladiator is a historic silhouette that goes back to ancient Rome. The straps across your foot and leg make them sturdy and perfect for long walks and traveling. More practical styles only reach the ankle, but fashion-forward pairs can reach the knee or even the thigh.
Slides
Slides are the ultimate slip-on shoe for summer. With nothing but a wide strap across your foot, they’re easy to throw on or take off at a moment’s notice. Many people like wearing them to the pool or beach for that reason.
Mules
The defining feature of a mule is the open back of the shoe. While it comes in many styles, the most iconic summer type is a thick block heel with a wide strap across the top of your foot to keep the shoe in place.
Espadrilles
Espadrilles and wedges are often mistaken for each other. But unless it has a rope-decorated sole, it’s not an espadrille. Wedges may be popular, but you can get them in flat or platform styles.
Double Buckle Sandals
This style became famous thanks to Birkenstocks and has been imitated by various makers ever since. It’s a flat, slip-on shoe with two buckled straps across the top of the foot. They’re quite comfortable and perfect for on-the-go.
Fisherman Sandals
Fisherman sandals are another classic design, created as a quick-drying shoe for European fishermen. Its defining features are a t-bar and cage-like leather straps, usually with a buckle on the ankle. These breathable sandals have gone in and out of style through the years, but they’re always a classy choice.
Flip Flops
We’d be amiss to write a post about sandals and not mention flip-flops, the queen of summer footwear. These shoes, made of foam or rubber with a V-shaped strap, come to mind when you think of hot weather or the beach.
Sport Sandals
These are the kind of sandals you could hike a mountain in and not get a blister. They’re made from athletic materials and have a sturdy construction, traction soles, and even waterproofing. While not the most stylish, they’re perfect for summer hikers, kayakers, and more.
Huarache Sandals
The huarache is a traditional shoe from Mexico with a woven leather upper. While many shoes fall under this category, such as a fisherman sandal, it’s only truly considered a huarache if it’s handmade in Mexico by traditional methods.
We hope this sandal guide will help you as you navigate the tricky world of sandal shopping. Now, when you open the DSW website, you’ll know exactly how to find what you want.
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