My sandal collection is vast, and yet up until this point, I still felt like I was missing something. That something was a pair of trendy lace-up sandals, like the Tkees Lilu Strappy Leather Sandals ($95). Minimal in design, these Tkees sandals are exactly what I was looking for: neutral, versatile, and comfy. They're kind of like the elevated, 2022 version of gladiator sandals, and they fit the trends I keep seeing all over my TikTok FYP.
The Tkees Lilu Strappy Leather Sandals feature a soft leather footbed and suede laces with a thong-style toe lace. You can choose from nine different matte colorways — there's a bright green called Emerald, a hot pink called Cerise, a neon orange called Tangerine, a deep red called Port, a pale gray called Fossil, a light sand called Purdy, a medium brown called Hazelton, a black called Bleeker, and a deep green called Olive. I chose the olive-green shade because as someone who already has a variety of brown and black sandals, I wanted something a bit more standout yet still neutral.
When I first tried them on, I was immediately impressed with how comfortable the Lilu Strappy Leather Sandals are. They feel soft to the touch, but the footbed also has a lot of cushion. The suede laces are easy to tie and don't slip or slide around once you secure them — a must for this style of shoe.
These sandals feel completely weightless on your feet, which is great if you're looking for a comfortable, travel-friendly pair of shoes. It's worth noting, however, that the sole of the shoe is very thin and doesn't provide very much support.
To keep them on your feet, I found it best to wrap the laces up around the back of my ankle first to create a heel strap, then around my ankle a few times and tied in a small bow in the back.
The Tkees Lilu Strappy Leather Sandals are perfect for anyone looking for a simple pair of trendy sandals to add to their warm-weather wardrobe. Because of the pared-down silhouette, they can go with a variety of outfits — dressed up with a skirt or dress, or dressed down with jeans and a top, just as I did here.
Though fall has just begun, the weather is still a little temperamental where I live in New York City — it's cold in the morning and hot midday — so I'm not quite ready to let go of open-toed shoes just yet (though I'm excited to bust out my boots). The Tkees Lilu Strappy Leather Sandals are helping me seamlessly transition my wardrobe from summer to fall. I can just as easily wear them with a sundress in the heat of July as I can with jeans and a cashmere sweater in September, making them a staple in my closet.
Rating: ★★★★