"Joey! My sandals are yellow, my bag is yellow, and this chair is yellow, so you have to take a photo of me," I announced to my boyfriend 30 seconds before this pic was snapped. No, we didn't have time for multiple poses because we had a dinner reservation to make it to, but I did want to show off my new footwear. Shoes then garlic bread.
With the resurgence of the '90s minimalist heel and the hype about sporty Velcro slides all taking hold in 2019, fashion editors and stylists had a lot of designs to pick from this year. While I challenged myself to find a colorful, strappy pair that was actually comfortable, Aemilia from The Zoe Report finally splurged on the sporty, rubber Prada flatforms she'd been eyeing, and Alyssa Coscarelli is walking around in delicious hunter green sandals under $100 that everyone presumes to be vintage.
I checked in with some of the most stylish writers and influencers around — including my POPSUGAR crew, of course — to find out which sandals, whether heels or flats, they've become devoted to this past season. You'd be smart to invest in any of these picks if you like to shop for items that have been tried and tested. I know I do.
"I wanted to be all about the strappy '90s minimalist sandal right away. But how could I walk the walk if I wasn't wearing the shoes? Heels have always been tricky for me (my wide foot requires something sturdy with support!), so I went on the hunt for a trusty silhouette with a block heel. You wouldn't believe how happy my feet are in these Raye shoes."
"Isabel Marant made the perfect Summer sandal — subtle, but cool. And I've been wearing her Engo Toe Sandals with everything. I love how comfortable and easy they look with dresses, and how they lend a little boho vibe to even jeans and a t-shirt."
"The naked sandal is, without a doubt, Summer's biggest shoe trend. I've been wearing this strappy Zara pair nonstop on the weekends, to the office, and on vacation from Paris to LA."
"I've been wearing these Dolce Vita sandals practically every day this Summer. They have a slight platform on them, which gives me a bit of height. The snakeskin print instantly elevates my look and they're even perfect for a day at the pool."
Dolce Vita Vala Sandals in Snake ($81, originally $100)
"Thong sandals are back and here to stay (in my opinion)! I love these Staud sandals so much because they look great with just about everything in my closet. Whether I'm wearing jeans, dresses, or skirts, they add a little something extra. Plus, they're the perfect heel height for walking around the city, while still maintaining comfort."
"A pair of Tevas are obviously a classic Summer sandal, but this year I purchased a pair that has a thicker, sneaker-like sole. They're super comfy, durable, and fit for every occasion, whether that's exploring a new city, spending the day at the beach, or hanging around at a backyard BBQ. Plus, they go with everything in my wardrobe."
"I've been living in these sandals that everyone thinks are vintage, but are actually from Pêche, a boutique in Brooklyn. They have so many on-trend sandals that go with everything and are affordable, too. What's not to love?"
"I've lived in these Dr. Martens chunky sandals all Summer long. Because they're flat, they're easy to wear all day long, no matter how much I'm running around, but I love that the platform adds a bit of height. Plus, this pretty shade of pastel yellow goes with just about everything."
Dr. Martens Blaire Sandals ($100)
"One of my favorite shoe trends is the sporty sandal, like these from Vince, which I have in two colors. I love how they bring an effortless cool to any outfit and are actually comfortable."
"I'm a loyal Birkenstock girl, but this Summer I finally splurged on Prada's sporty sandals, and I can honestly say they're the shoes I've worn most over the last few months. They're comfortable and sporty, but the fact that they're a bit more luxe than my Birks has convinced me that they count as sophisticated footwear — though my mom may not entirely agree."
"I've been slipping into Loeffler Randall's Tilly wedge sandals in a pastel yellow hue called Limoncello all Summer long. The glossy patent-leather slide's minimal shape and little lift makes them easy to dress up and down. Plus, they provide for the perfect pop of color! I've paired them with everything from Bermuda shorts and cropped jeans to slip skirts and flowy dresses."
"I love that the thong sandal has made a triumphant return in 2019, and my absolute favorite iteration is this wooden-heeled style from Mari Giudicelli. They're almost sold out at The Frankie Shop."
"For me, Summer and woven textures go hand in hand, which is why I snagged this pair of straw slides just before the warm weather hit. They feel elevated enough to wear with evening slip dresses but relaxed enough to slip on with a t-shirt and jeans for the weekend. I probably wear them way too much, but they literally go with everything so I'm just going with it!"
"The sandals I have been living in this Summer are Birkenstock. They are just a fun Summer sandal and, funnily enough, I get tons of compliments from guys when I wear them."