The Only 3 Sandals You’ll Ever Need
Unless you live on the opposite hemisphere: it’s summer time! As a kid growing up in North Carolina, I almost never wore shoes if I didn’t have to. If I was outside, I was barefoot. If I was in a home or our car: barefoot. Really, I only wore shoes if I had to. A lot’s changed since those years, and as an adult I love shoes and have a good amount of them. But I do still thoroughly enjoy being barefoot and especially love how sandals get you the closest you can to feeling like you’re not wearing any shoes at all.
One thing’s for sure: not all sandals are created equal! And not all sandals are suited for all situations. I’ve higlighted the 3 key types of sandals you need, along with my favorite brands of each one!
The Comfortable Every-Day Sandal
Having an every-day sandal for the summer season is a must! Outdoor activities and vacations abound, and a lot of the time that means there’s going to be a good amount of walking. You need a cute but comfortable sandal that’s going to support your precious feet without throwing off your outfit.
And the number one sandal that checks all of these boxes are hands down: Birkenstock’s. These are the ones I have and wear nearly every day in the summertime:
I’m not overexaggerating in the slightest when I say i wore mine almost every day on our honeymoon - and not once did my feel protest! They’re my go-to shoe when it’s warm out. They’re insanely supportive, comfortable, and go with practically any outfit! I highly recommend the classic ‘arizona’ style like I have, but if that’s not your cup of tea, Birks come in a multitude of styles and colors like the ones below!
2. The Pool, Beach, or Lake Side Sandal
Another very important shoe for summer is your water-friendly sandal! As amazing and versatile as my beloved Birks are - let’s face it. Wet and leather don’t exactly play nice. You may be thinking “But Sarah, I already know my water shoes. I’m all about those bargain rubbery-smelling flip flops!” And sure, there’s nothing wrong with that! But the longevity of those are next to nil. (Once, mine broke less than 3 hours after purchasing!) And unless you’re going to quickly outgrow any pair of shoes, your feet deserve better.
When looking for a great beach sandal, the best place is to head where the surfers go. They’re constantly in and around the ocean, so they know what shoes go well with the water! In following the wave, I found the perfect water friendly sandal: my cusion vistas from Reef.
Reef was founded to create high quality, super comfortable shoes to suit the surfer lifestyle. They’re water friendly, won’t discolor when hit with sunscreen, come in a variety of fashionable styles, and can go from pool-side to downtown without batting an eye. I also love supporting this brand because of their dedication to sustainability, clearing out beaches, recycling, and funding social change.
3. The Dressy Sandal
And last but certainly not least, you need your dressy sandal. It’s the shoe that pulls together your whole look for those summer weddings, date nights & vacations while simultaneously subtly showing off your new pedicure. My two absolute favorite brands for the best formal sandals are Sam Edelman & Jack Rogers.
Sam Edelmans Yaro Block Heel Sandals (here in black) are without a doubt one of the top two most comfortable heels I’ve ever worn. I had them on for a full 13-hour day once, and at the end of the day my feet were fine - no soreness, no blisters! They’re the perfect wedding guest shoe, as you can easily dance all night long in these stunners.
For every other occasion, there’s Jack Rogers. I love my classic Jacks. You can style them with any outfit from jeans and a tee to a gown; but if the more traditional flip flop isn’t your look, Jack Rogers has so many different styles and prints that I promise you’ll find something to love! They’re excellent quality shoes from sandals t boots, and I have yet to get a pair I didn’t love.
Enjoy your summer and feel free to follow along for all the fun on instagram (@sarah.kowalchuk) and Facebook (The Salted Denim) for our summer adventures!
What’s your go-to summer sandal, salties? Let me know in the comments!
