I Tested 15 of The Most Popular Summer Sandals. These 3 Styles Are Chic + Gave Zero Blisters.
I spent two months trying different brands and options to get to today's picks. My toes and heels hated the process, but we got there! Eventually!
Hi friends, I’m so glad you’re here! Before we get into my summer sandals report, I feel Virgo compelled (in other words: very!) to remind you that it’s almost Father’s Day. If you are looking for some compelling presents, last week’s newsletter has 22 of them, hand-picked by my other half, who has (almost) annoyingly good taste. It covers a range of price points and over-indexes on watches, which is clearly what he is hyperfixated on right now. (The message is clear, babe.)
Also, if swimwear is on your mind, I recently moved my new-ish Left on Friday bikini—which I covered in the very dramatically titled Swimsuit Shopping Is Hell, But I Found 8 Styles That Don’t Make Me Want To Burn It All Down—into official YCOHO status, after spending the majority of a week-long vacation wearing it. While the suits are, obviously, incredible, I had the chance to interview the former Lululemon stars-turned-entrepreneurs who started the line for Second Life, and I honestly might love the company even more now? I adore the fact that founders Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage worked together for over a decade before deciding to leave their corporate jobs and start their own thing. Just a reminder that long-simmering ideas can turn into something amazing when the time is right.
And finally, if anything in today’s newsletter doesn’t make sense, it’s because I’ve been caught between the horns of an absolutely jam-packed work trip and my kids’ last day of school. Turns out the combination of +16-hour work days, the unquestionably haunted Hotel Chelsea (not in a bad way, just very energetically active?), the nine million end-of-year cards and presents required, and a sick kid doesn’t always yield the most detailed copy editing on my part. Who knew? (Narrator: Everyone knew.) Is this time of year always like this? Sheesh!
As always, if there’s an item you’re shopping for or you need help sorting through the zillions of options out there, please don’t hesitate to drop me a comment and I will add it to my to-do list. (And why am I prompting you to comment? Because while I love DMs and always try to answer you there, my inbox is messy, and comments here are much easier for me to find and use as source material as I’m working on new things. Also, I love comments; they make me feel seen.)
SUMMER SANDALS
When it comes to summer sandals, I have a few thoughts, none of which are revolutionary. Above all, they need to be cool, comfortable, and not give you blisters, the latter of which is surprisingly difficult to find.
I’ve been on this mission for quite some time—at least two months, maybe more—and did several rounds of testing. Some of the styles I initially loved, unfortunately just didn’t fit my foot well. (My whole high instep, high arch thing continues to be my nemesis, as is the fact that my foot resembles the blade of a child’s beach shovel, meaning, short and square-ish.) Other styles seemed very promising, but simply wearing them for several hours while on conference calls made my feet hurt, let alone walking any sort of distance.
This has been a frustrating project, to be honest. I went to four different stores, ordered a slew of styles from multi-brand retailers and DTC brands alike, and was super unimpressed by how poorly made so many pairs were.
Finally, after considering 38 different styles and testing 15 pairs, I have narrowed it down to three different summer sandals I really love. I took a leap and bought the final three for additional testing—not just walking and dancing on the rugs in my house, but actually testing them on Manhattan sidewalks and traipsing around myriad parks on the eastside of LA—and I’m happy to say they all passed with flying colors.
Sezane Judith Low Sandals ($205) in Khaki Suede
First of all, let’s just get this out of the way. Sezane is running some major fashion-girl partnerships right now, but they are not a brand I collaborate with, so rest assured this isn’t some sneaky spon-con. I would never deceive you like that; mostly because I’m not that sly. Also, they didn’t ask me! So there.
If you’ve been here a minute, you know that I fell in love with a pair of Sezane leopard loafers last year, and consider that shoe one of my best purchases of 2023, so naturally I was curious about the brand’s summer options.
I bought a bunch of different styles, and am here to say that the Judith Low Sandal is it. Super soft, totally easy breezy to style, and wildly comfortable. The deep green gives my black-heavy outfits a little personality, and I just love the sleek buckle details. Mine are a size 7; the brand doesn’t do half sizes, and I’ve learned to always size down in Sezane shoes. This style is also available in other colors and materials, like smooth black leather, a mid-range natural brown leather, leopard, and python print too.
Jamie Haller The Double Buckle Sandals ($495) in Black Leather
To be clear, these are more expensive than I like for summer sandals. HOWEVER! Much like the designer’s cult-favorite loafers, these sandals are exquisitely made, and legitimately the softest leather I have maybe ever felt in my life?
Both buckles are functional, so if you have slightly weird feet like me, you’re going to love this style. My right foot is also slightly larger than my left—yes, it’s fun to be my feet!—so the gift of being able to customize the fit on the instep is just incredible.
Even better: They’re so lightweight, I have forgotten I was wearing them. When was the last time I could say that? Probs never, if I’m honest. I’m not exactly sure how the hardware feels so luxurious and light, but frankly it doesn’t matter. They’re just damn good.
Not into black? They come in seven other colors and textures, so there’s something for everyone. Fit notes suggest sizing up if you’re a half size and wider feet sizing up an entire size. For this style, I bought a 38, and they’re perfect. (Normally I wear a size 7 in flat shoes and an 8 in heels. In Jamie Haller loafers, I have a 38, but probably should have gotten a 38.5 because they’re just a teeny big tight on my instep, which I feel like will change with wear and time.)
A. Emery Jalen Suede Sandals ($210) in Gray
As many of you know, I’ve long subscribed to the idea that gray goes with nothing, so therefore it goes with everything, which is an early-era Who What Wear mantra. And while I wear a fair amount of gray, and own many gray handbags, I’ve never had gray sandals—until now.
When I polled folks on IG about the best sandal makers and styles for summer, A. Emery came up over and over again, and now I get it. These sandals feel like a Birkenstock, but are design-y and elevated enough that I can wear them to the office. They also remind me of one of my mom’s pals and former colleague, Blake, who is the perfect blend of Midwestern stoic and intellectual fashionphile.
It appears I’m not the only one who loves this style. When I was in New York earlier this week, I was walking into my haunted hotel (#iykyk, which had immaculate service, btw) and noticed a group of really cool young women chatting out front. As a professional eavesdropper, I quickly picked up that the trio worked in different aspects of fashion, and the chicest one—the one who clearly was in charge of the vibes—was wearing this exact pair. In good company!
If gray isn’t your thing, they’re also available in black leather and tan suede too. They run true to size too; I bought the 38 and they’re a tiny smidge big, but not in a way anyone else would notice. No half sizes, fwiw.
Want More?
Here are three other brands I really love and think are worth checking out. If you have any favorites—a style, a brand, you name it!—please drop it in the comments below.
Created by stylist-turned-entrepreneur Anita Patrickson, I’m deeply obsessed with this sleek, elevated brand. The Kibera Embellished Sandals ($350) are honestly the dream, and I’m sure it will fit most normal feet perfectly. Since I’m a weirdo, I’m going to do their First Fit’s On Us process, and tweak a pair!
The historic brand started in 1933 in the south of France, and was beloved by Brigitte Bardot in her peak style-icon era. I love the backstory, and the simple, timeless designs that will look just as relevant in fifty years.
I tried a number of different styles from Emme Parsons—another brand y’all swear by—but sadly my foot is just a little too spatula-like for these styles. If you have a normal or narrow foot, a) I envy you and b) you need to try these sandals they’re so excellent!
Okay friends, that’s it for now. If you want to follow me on @hillarykerr, I’d love it. And if you have anything to say or ask (preferably nothing terribly mean), please drop me a note either via DM or in the comments below.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’m truly so glad you’re here. If you like what you’re reading, please consider sharing this newsletter. (And if you have the time to like it, that would mean a lot to me!) All products mentioned are independently chosen, and some may be affiliate links. Your support is appreciated.
I’d love websites that offer widths in shoes, if you run across any! Thank you for your newsletter.
Thank you! I’m loving the Freda Salvador fisherman’s if you’re interested…super comfy!