I Gave the "Ugly" Sandal Trend a Try, and Let Me Just Say, They're Actually Chic as Hell

What I'm Wearing: Birkenstocks are no longer reserved just for those who consider themselves boho. I started off with a simple white pair and added a romantic Amur puff-sleeve top. To balance out the chunky soles, I wore a pair of ankle-length Agolde mom jeans, and I carried a beaded Staud bucket bag to give my outfit an effortless look. All I needed was a bottle of Rosé and some crackers, and I was ready for a picnic in the park.

How I Felt: This was actually my first time wearing Birkenstocks. (Shocking, I know.) I was so surprised by how easy they were to style, and it made wonder how come I didn't try them sooner! I can easily envision myself wearing these white sandals with a midi dress or even shorts and a button-down top while heading to the beach. The buckle detail made them feel fancier than a pair of regular flip-flops.

Arizona Birko-Flor White ($100)

Amur Nadine Top ($348)

Agolde Parker Easy Straight Jean in Placebo ($188)

Staud Moreau Bag ($375)

What I'm Wearing: I've always associated Teva with tourists or someone who is really sporty, which, if you know anything about me, is definitely NOT me. But after seeing countless street style stars wearing the brand during Fashion Week and seeing its fashion-y collaborations with designers like Anna Sui, I started to see the appeal. I decided on Teva's Limelight pair to really push myself out of my comfort zone and styled them with a pale yellow midi dress by Cos and tied blue sweater around my neck for a true vacation look.

How I Felt: OK, I'm gonna be real here. I think I actually shocked myself by how cool I thought the sandals looked when I actually tried them on. I took me a hot second to figure out what to wear with the neon pair because the colors felt overwhelming at first, but once I slipped on the pale yellow dress, I heard the "click" in my head, and it all seemed to fit together. With these sandals, I wouldn't really wear them with shorts because they'd look like I was going hiking, but with a pair of distressed jeans or a flowy dress that hits above my ankles, I think they make an outfit look so unique.

Teva Original Universal — Limelight ($50)

Cos Gathered Sleeveless Dress ($125)

What I'm Wearing: The one sandal trend I wasn't afraid to try out were these sporty Tory Burch slides. I've been a fan of sporty slides ever since I was in middle school (yes, even though I wasn't on the swim team!). To call out the stripes, I styled the slides with a POPSUGAR at Kohl's striped tank top with belted Cotton Citizen jeans for a breezy everyday outfit.

How I Felt: I actually didn't feel like I was in middle school when I wore these Tory Burch slides. I think the brand did a great job with the design to make them feel wearable for all ages, thanks to the chic stripe design. They're the perfect pair of shoes to wear when you're running errands because they're not too constricting. I could honestly see myself swapping out my go-to white sneakers for these in the Summer.

Tory Burch Striped Slide ($148)

Cotton Citizen Boyfriend Jean ($345)

POPSUGAR at Kohl's Sweater Tank ($30, originally $40)

What I'm Wearing: I wanted to ditch my go-to little black dress and try something different for my date night. To call attention to these Instagram-worthy Nanushka strappy sandals, I styled them with biker shorts, a long white tee, and an oversize, double-breasted blazer. I completed the outfit with a statement bag by Staud.

How I Felt: I've seen these Nanushka sandals all over Instagram and even up close during the brand's press previews, but nothing prepared me for how damn amazing they are in person. I thought they would look very clunky on me, but the sandals' square toes and plush leather material made them look chic as heck. Granted, I don't think I'd wear this exact outfit for every night out on the town, but I would wear them with a silk slip dress, which is another one of my favorite date-night looks.

Nanushka Yola Faux Leather Sandals ($375)

Anine Bing Madeleine Blazer ($349)

Paige Zaya Tee ($95)

Good Amerian The Icon Bike Short ($65)

Staud Hutton Bag ($375)