Underfoot

What a beautiful weekend here in DC!  I spent the day outside on Saturday, dear readers, and it was quite warm.  I was working an event and thus dressed none too fancy: t-shirts, sporty capris, and tennis shoes.  All I could think about, however, was how great it would be to throw on a sundress and sandals to catch the faint breeze.  You can never have too many sandals for summer, and I’ve picked out a few that are both stylish and practical.  Who wants to wear heels to the backyard barbecue?  Take a look and share some of your favorites, too!

At the high end of the spectrum are the ankle-buckle sandals from Maison Martin Margiela, available online and in-store from Hu’s for $420.  Tan suede is an easy neutral that goes with just about anything, and the brass hardware detail is a nice touch at the ankle.

The shoe features a sturdy, flat sole that will make walking the National Mall all day a piece of cake.  It’s a simple, almost artisanal style that will outlast the most trendiest of trends.  You’ll come back to this pair year after year.

Ahhh, FitFlops.  I initially resisted their ergonomic charms, but once I saw the FROU Electric Indigo sandal in a magazine, I have to admit I became a convert.  In general, I loathe and despise flip flops.  They offer no support, overly expose your feet to the yucky sidewalks, and generally are flattering on exactly no one.

These, though, are actually pretty cute, with flattering flounces and a sole that elevates you from the dirty city streets.  My only concern now is that these retail for nearly $100!  Hmm…guess I’ll continue to be FitFlop-less for a while at least.

For a little pattern on your feet, look no further than the Mateos D’Orsay Ankle Strap Flats by Lela Rose for Payless.  They’re a little bit south-of-the-border, vaguely European, and entirely stylish and comfy looking.  The leather detail give them a bit of an edge, and the deep peep-toe cutout shows off a pedicure to full effect.

I’ve generally been pleased with the “designer” shoes I’ve purchased as Payless, and even though they have a higher price point than the rest of the store – this pair is $50 – they’re worth the money and far less expensive than their actual designer counterparts (we’re talkin’ $600 tank tops here, people).  These will go great with a denim dress or crisp white linen.

For a super-simple pair that you can wear ’til they fall apart, I recommend Forever 21′s T-Strap Sandals.  You can’t go wrong for $7.50!

Available in a variety of colors – that’s pewter at left – these “leatherette” sandals feature a rubber sole and adjustable strap.  I like that they don’t have anything between the toes, which sometimes rubs me the wrong way (literally) after hours of walking.  I’d buy up these in every color and hit the streets in style.