by Jessica Pigza
The weather is getting warmer, which means it’s time to swap out your boots for some cute sandals, flip flops, and flats. But as I’m sure you already know, not all shoes are created equal. There was a time when we had to pick between sandals being either cute or comfortable, but not both. However, now it seems our requests for both beauty and comfort are finally being heard. With so many brands available, it’s hard to test drive them all, so I decided to check out one of my go-to resources, you! Word of mouth is still one of my favorite ways to learn about products or tips that make life easier. That’s one of the many reasons I love the Pretties’ Page on Facebook. It’s a fantastic and supportive community of ladies that are a great resource when we have questions or need advice.
That is why when I was looking for cute and comfortable sandals for the summer, I turned to our fabulous Pretties. Whether you suffer from foot problems and injuries or just want something super comfortable, the below brands are worth checking out. Some of them are definitely on the pricey side, but there are ways around that. Keep your eyes out for sales, and if you find a style you really like, a simple search can help you find a lower price at the many retailers available. Also, opting for a neutral color will ensure that they can go with multiple looks, making them a great closet staple investment piece. Lastly, be sure to double-check the retailer’s return policy. Do they offer free returns or exchanges? If you try them and don’t like them, will they still offer a full refund? On the chance that you don’t fall in love with your sandal purchase, it’s good to know what your return options are.
Although many brands were mentioned, the number one recommended brand was Vionic. They were highly recommended if you suffer from any sort of ankle or foot pain or just need some good arch support. They average about $130 but most of our Pretties said they are well worth it. They can be found on the Vionic website where they will occasionally have great sales but they can also be found at lower prices on DSW, Shoes.com, QVC.com, and Amazon just to name a few. Below are a few of the cute styles I found available.
Vionic Louise Platform Sandal
Vionic Lupe Sandal
LUELLE SANDAL
Dansko is another brand that the Pretties swear by. They offer great cushion and support and come in a lot of cute styles. This is also a brand trusted by doctors, nurses, chefs, and other professionals that are on their feet all day and they’ve translated that comfort to cute, fashionable sandals. They can be found on Zappos, Shoes.com, and The Walking Company.
DANSKO TIANA KHAKI BURNISHED NUBUCK
DANSKO SEASON YELLOW MILLED
DANSKO REECE BLACK
Fitflop has a great selection of sandals and flip-flops from flats to wedges and sporty to dress. They boast a perfect pairing between biometrics, fashion, and comfort. They are said to help with plantar fasciitis and have great arch support. They have a great selection, and it looks like they have some great sales and an outlet section on their site as well. Just be sure to read through their return and exchange policy as all outlet sales are final. The FitFlop brand can also be found at retailers like Nordstrom, DSW, and Zappos.
Twiss Leather Slides
GRACIE Leather Back-Strap Sandals
ELOISE ESPADRILLE WEDGE SANDALS
Abeo is a brand that has built-in orthotic support. Some sandals come with a standard neutral support orthotic, however, there are some styles where you’re able to customize the type of support you need such as metatarsal support which reduces stress on the ball of the foot. Also, the description for each shoe style is pretty detailed and includes what type of foot they are recommended for, a high or low arch if you’re suffering from plantar fasciitis or you’re just looking for something with neutral support and cushion. The main Abeo site has a lot of great sales as well as The Walking Company and ShoeStores.com.
BELLA NEUTRAL
Delano Neutral
ILYSSA NEUTRAL
Earth Brand sandals are said to be extremely comfortable, but they are also good for the environment by sustainably sourcing materials, including the use of water-based, non-toxic glues, vegetable-tanned leathers, and glue-free shoeboxes. They have a ton of styles to choose from and their signature Powerpath® Footbed Design offers shock absorption in the heel, stabilization through your stride, and energizes as you lift off. They have a lot of great sales through their website but can also be found at QVC.
OCEANA
Mykonos Tinos
Thara Bermuda in Spicy Red
Honorable Mention
The below list are other brands that were mentioned for having sandals and flip flops that were both fashionable and totally comfortable. Let me know what you think? Did we miss any? If so please comment below and let me know!
