Hand Picked, The Strappy Sandals Worth Shopping

A good strappy sandal earns its place through what happens at the point of contact, not through how it photographs standing still. The strap arrangement should sit against the foot with intention, a footbed that doesn’t slide forward with every step, a buckle or tie that actually holds rather than one that’s decorative and useless by the second wear. Leather that’s been finished properly will soften and mould to the foot within a few outings, while a stiff, unyielding strap across the toes or ankle is the surest sign of a sandal that looked better in a photograph than it will feel on a pavement. Height matters less than balance. A three or four centimetre block or a well set kitten heel will carry a body through a full day and evening in a way that a spindly, unsupported stiletto strap simply won’t, no matter how elegant the ankle tie looks.

The styling of these is more flexible than people give it credit for.

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A fine strappy sandal with a straight leg trouser or a wide culotte is a sharper daytime look than most people attempt, and it works because the strap detail becomes the visible interest instead of hiding under fabric. With a slip skirt or a bias cut dress, the ankle strap does something useful too, it draws a line that stops the leg looking like an unbroken stretch of fabric. For evening, a strappy sandal with a fine metallic or jewel toned strap needs almost nothing else on the foot, no heavy hosiery, no competing texture, just a clean pedicure and a bit of confidence in the ankle.

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Occasion wise, this is a category that flatters the in between moments best, the wedding that isn’t black tie, the dinner that starts at a restaurant and ends somewhere with worse lighting, the long lunch that runs into early evening drinks. A flat or low strappy sandal earns its keep on holiday, worn against bare legs with linen and not much else. What to avoid is anything with a strap so thin or so structurally ambitious that walking becomes an event in itself. The best ones disappear into the outfit during the day and become the whole point of it after dark.

Top Picks

MADISON’S PICK RYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Black Fabric 8.0 W

$69.99 RYKA

Sarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Maggie Strappy Sandal (Marshmallow White Faux Leather) 6.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip

RILEY’S PICK FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Maggie Strappy Sandal (Marshmallow White Faux Leather) 6.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip

$120.00 FRANCO SARTO