My April Obsession - Slide Sandals

Maybe we are a little obsessed sometimes.  (For example, I just figured out, with a little Buzzfeed help and $5, how to make GIFs.  Watch out!)

.gif from youtube.com.

Well, the current obsession is the slide sandal.  They are everywhere, and as one friend concluded: "They are nice way to update your summer wardrobe."  A sentence like that can totally push me into a purchase.

But which one?!  I've ordered 2 pairs (one more on the way) but haven't yet found the right one for me.  But maybe some of these are right for you!

I started with Ancient Greek Sandals because I had read in either Vogue or InStyle or Marie Claire (etc.) that this brand was hot.  Enough said.  So, I ordered these babies to start:

Images from net-a-porter.com.

However much I loved them in the photos, they didn't do a lot for my feet.

Images from Jennifer Houston.

The last ones looked like slippers.  Not what I'm looking for.

I'm waiting for these See by Chloe sandals to be delivered.  Will the smaller amount of leather in the front make a difference?  Will the thick sole?  I hope so. 

Image from shop.nordstrom.com.

In the meantime, check out slides next time you are shopping, either online or in store.  For now, contemplate this selection below.  I will too!  Let us know what you find! ~ JH

W2WW: Slide Sandals

Common Projects slide sandals / Ancient Greek Sandals pull on shoes, $260 / K. Jacques k jacques sandals / Diane Von Furstenberg suede shoes / Gladiator shoes / Cole haan shoes / Joie slide sandals / Ancient Greek Sandals pink sandals, $190 / Espadrilles shoes / Maiden Lane leather shoes / Maiden Lane pink sandals / Tory Burch jelly sandals / Dolce Vita black shoes / Forever 21 sandals

...you want orange sandals.

We love comments and questions from readers, and we received one this morning:


"Love the cute orange Michael Kors espadrille you recommended for spring! They wear like slippers but hold up for a full day of shopping and sight-seeing. Any recommendations for an orange summer sandal?!? I don't want to go too high with the heel."


Happy to help with your sandal query.  I hit a couple of my online 'hot spots', and here is  what I would purchase for myself if I was on the hunt for orange sandals.  I started with flatter sandals, and loved this pair of DV by Dolce Vita - solid brand that produces fashionable shoes at a lower price.  These Doris sandals are a steal at $59.

Image from zappos.com.

Another cute flat sandal that caught my eye was this pair by Corso Como at Nordstrom.  I love Corso Como shoes - they are decently priced and usually very comfortable.  (They make a great, basic riding boot each fall, priced around $200 - a steal!)  These 'Fountain' sandals are a little more than the DV ones, at $118.95. 

Image from nordstrom.com.

These cuties are on sale right now, and if my foot wasn't so wide, I might scoop them up myself.  By Pour la Victoire, these Farida sandals, in orange suede, are so lovely and summery.  I can see them peeking out of a long, flowing skirt or maxi dress, with shorts, or with rolled up white jeans.

Image from zappos.com.

Onto higher heels.  I can't believe I am actually writing about the next sandal.  Lisa, another friend, and I have this sandal in another color, and love it.  So hip for this summer - 2 1/4" wedge, ankle strap, and so comfortable.  This Sam Edelman Sophie sandal is a great find, especially at $119.  You might have to let us know if you purchase these so we don't all show up at the same event wearing them. :-)

Image from samedelman.com.

Mid-height heels are SO hard to find, so I looked for a some higher heels with a platform in the front.  These aren't as much 'sandal' as they are 'wedge', but I loved them just the same.  The 'Jill' wedge by Dolce Vita are lovely.  And, I'm a sucker for suede. The heel looks to be really high, and at 5", it is!  But the 2" (or, 1 7/8" to be exact) platform really puts you at a 3" pitch in the heel.  Not too bad.

Image from zappos.com.

Finally, I really love these See by Chloe Wedge sandals at Nordstrom.  They are on sale, down to $200-ish from a whopping $350, they are elegant and can be dressed both up and down.  And, because of the 'rust' finish rather than bright orange, I can see these going into September and maybe early October too.  The heel height is listed at 3 1/2", but the front platform takes about an inch off that pitch.

Image from nordstrom.com.

Hope that helps!  We love to answer reader questions so don't hesitate to leave comment or questions.  ~ JH

What to add to your spring wardrobe? Item #2 is...

A pair of espadrilles.  They are back, and better than ever!  There are SOOOO many styles and colors to choose from, it can be daunting.  Let's break it down by heel height.

Flat Espadrilles

These can be a ballet-flat-alternative that look great with jeans, cropped or ankle length pants and then with skirts and shorts in the summer.  They will be something different to throw on your feet as soon as it warms up, and will put a little spring (literally and figuratively) in your step.  I have a couple of favorites for this category.

This cute Michael Kors pair is part ballet flat/part espadrille, but at $69, it's a steal!  They come in tangerine, gold canvas, navy, and tiger print.  Here's the tangerine - a hot color this summer.  Pair it with all of your navy & white items.

Photo from zappos.com

I'm not a big fan of Sperry shoes (why the Topsider?), but they made this cute, flat espadrille in stripes!  And only $65.

Photo from bloomingdales.com.

Heeled Espadrilles

Ok, this is where my heart really is this spring.  I purchased a gold pair of Castañer, open-toe, wedge espadrilles last summer, and wore them to DEATH, with jeans, white pants, dresses, skirts, you name it.  I never had a pair before last summer, and now I'm not sure how I lived without them.  The Castañer ones I own are a gold version of these, which are currently for sale at Calypso.  

Photo from calypsostbarth.com.

(I'd like to take a moment to talk about Castañer as a company.  Founded as a formal company 1927 in Spain, its roots go back to 1776 with some of the first espadrille makers, including Rafael Castañer.  In the mid-1960s the company was considering shutting down, until Yves Saint Laurent asked Castañer to make a high-heeled espadrille.  A high-heeled espadrille hadn't been made before, it took off, and the rest is history.*)

Having worn them so much last summer, I'm looking to expand, and maybe find a pair that would work in the cooler months of April and May, using a closed-toe or a heavier material to help make the transition.  Here are some examples of what I've seen.

These arrived by UPS a few evenings ago, and I must say, I might be in love again.  J.Crew did a great job with these Seville espadrilles, and they come in black, flax (color I purchased), and red.

Photo from jcrew.com.

These Dolce Vita ones from Nordstrom are suede, which would work well as a 'transition' shoe because of the heavier materal.  I'm partial to the 'Cognac' colored ones, but there are 3 other colors that are cute too.  $78.95 is a great price on these.  Get your pedicure on.

Photo from nordstrom.com.

This Franco Sarto one at Nordstrom is a great buy at $79.95, and you can go neutral with the 'Cloud' color, or go bold with the 'Red'. (PS - you might think these look like a heel, but with the platform in front, the pitch is really only an inch and a half or so.)

Photos from nordstrom.com

And I might be jumping ahead to summer with these (ok, I am), but I simply love the lines of this Tory Burch Adonis espadrille.

Photo from toryburch.com.

So, when you are trying to update your casual look for spring, think about adding an espadrille or 2 into the mix.  They pair well with jeans, both white and blue, dresses, cropped pants, skirts, just about anything. ~ JH

* As read in "The One Hundred - A Guide to the Pieces Every Stylish Woman Must Own" by Nina Garcia