My feed
Premium

Please
or
to access all these features

This topic is for sponsored discussions. If you'd like to run one with us, please email [email protected].

MNHQ have commented on this thread

Sponsored threads

NOW CLOSED: Toes out? Sandals on? How do you prepare? Share tips and experiences with Clarks and you could win one of ten pairs of their gorgeous summer sandals!

212 replies

AnnMumsnet · 14/05/2013 14:52

Hello

We've been asked by the team at Clarks to get you talking about the (sometimes) dreaded first time you get your sandals on for spring/ summer....if it's not here yet - it is coming!

Share your thoughts on this thread and you'll be entered into a prize draw where ten lucky winners will get a free pair of shoes.

So, have you got your feet out for summer yet? Is it a 2 stage process for you (tops of feet and then toes) or do you go for the full sandal straight away? Or do you NEVER bare all? Grin

What's your favourite type of sandal? Flat and relaxed, a height-boosting wedge or maybe a strappy number?

What date or occasion did you you/ will you do it? Does it need to be a special occasion?

Do you have a pamper ritual before getting your feet out? What it is? Full scrub, pedicure or a quick slick of a nude varnish? Share your tips (please!)

If your feet never see the UK sun, why not?

And if they're out all year round and look ok how do you manage it?

<br />
Clarks have a bigger promotion running at the moment and there are chances to win some lovely prizes by checking out their comps on <a class="break-all" href="http://instagram.com/clarksshoes/" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">instagram</a> and <a class="break-all" href="http://bit.ly/14SjJH7" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank"> Facebook</a>. On Instagram they want you to tweet a picture of your sandals with the hashtag #FreeYourFeet and you could win £500 worth of Mr & Mrs Smith vouchers and £150 worth of Clarks shoes, whilst on FB you could win one of five pairs of shoes simply by answering their sandal survey. Check out the links for full details and T&Cs.<br />
<br />
In the meantime please do share your experiences on this thread.<br />
<br />
Thanks and good luck.<br />
<br />
MNHQ
OP posts:
HamletsSister · 14/05/2013 14:55

I just put my sandals on when the weather is nice enough. At past 40 I don't think anyone is actually looking at my ragged toenails and dry skin but I do have a good look at the legs for stray hairs. I like a bit of a heel, even though I am tall as I find very flat shoes really uncomfortable. I am happiest in in Fit Flops - still going strong after 6 years but also have a couple of dressier pairs. I hate shoes with just toes out - all or nothing for me!

Tee2072 · 14/05/2013 14:59

Are you sure it's coming? I wore my sandals, Clarks, BTW, once last year...

I file my nails and remove dead skin. Can't be bothered with polish etc.

Of course, I'm heading to California for 2 weeks in July. I may get a pedi for that! Grin

Yonihadtoask · 14/05/2013 15:03

Nail polish, a good scrub.

Prior to that I try and use foot cream every day so my heels aren't too bad.

I love wearing sandals. I like my feet to be free :)

Favourite styles are pretty flat, strappy and with some inner support.

Oh, and wide fit is good if I can find some.

elQuintoConyo · 14/05/2013 15:13

Home-done pedicure, splash of nail varnish - could be black, could be red, could be turquoise, can't be bothered with fashion.
5-year-old Camper sandals still going strong. I prefer low wedges, strappy, plenty of toe freedom - as soon as the sun comes out!

starfishmummy · 14/05/2013 15:18

I like slip on mule type sandals and have already started wearing my favourite Clark s pair. At the moment all I can say about my feet is that they are clean! I have started on the dead skin removal routine (pumice stone and flexitol cream) and will probably get round to polishing my nails.
When we go on holiday I like walking barefoot on the beach which acts as a natural exfoliator.

HappyHippyChick · 14/05/2013 15:27

I get my feet out as soon as possible and keep them out as long as possible! I usually wear a flat strappy sandal, the prettier the better! I am trying to get my feet in shape this year so have been using a foot file and flexitol. I haven't any varnish on at the mo, but I usually wear a dark red or dark purple but do use other colours depending on my mood/outfit!

CMOTDibbler · 14/05/2013 15:36

Its far too cold atm for sandals! But as I don't have hard/dry skin on my feet, all I need is a slick of nail varnish and then I do rub some oil over the nails every day to make the cuticles look softer.

My favourite sandals are my FitFlops, but for dressier events I have some nice tan and black patent kitten heels from Next, and have just got some Clarks wedges to wear with 7/8th jeans or capris

justmuddlingalong · 14/05/2013 15:41

I use Sudocrem on my heels throughout the year, it keeps the skin soft and smooth and ready for sandals at the slightest hint of a sunny day. I tend to wear flats during the day, but love to wear wedges in the evening so that my legs look longer and a bit leaner. (I'm only 5'2") I like to wear pale nail varnish but occassionally go mad and wear a pop of colour. My feet are ready...we just need some sun to show them off now!

TiredFeet · 14/05/2013 15:48

My feet aren't too bad but I do find a slick of nail polish looks smarter with sandals, although I don't always bother. I like pretty flat styles that go with anything. I don't like heels in hot weather as I find my feet swell a bit. Love gold sandals with a sun tan!

I love wearing them if the sun is shining

parabelle · 14/05/2013 15:49

I start in Feb, ped egg every day and expensive norwegian foot cream twice a day. They're looking lovely now. Am saving up for my Clarks sandals, liking the browny wedgy ones. Don't bother with nail polish, I suffer with hairy toes so it does look a bit like my feet are in drag.
Like others, just waiting for the sun!

CambridgeBlue · 14/05/2013 15:56

I can't stand unkempt feet so I keep mine half decent even under my boots in the depths of winter. As soon as there's a chance of them being on show I do a home pedicure so they're ready if and when we get the odd sunny day .

My pedicure consists of a good old buff with the Soap and Glory foot file, a soak in warm water (and maybe a scrub) then drying, trimming nails, pushing back cuticles and applying moisturiser (and sometimes an overnight heel cream). I then do a clear base coat followed by coloured polish, sometimes just natural looking but often quite bright - I'm really into neon at the moment.

I haven't bought new sandals for a few years as we get so little chance to wear them so they don't really wear out! My current favourites are a pair of tan ankle tie flats, some neon trimmed wedges (actually I did get them last year but they were a sale bargain for £10 so don't count :)) and a pair of sparkly silver flip flops. I haven't seen what Clarks have got on offer but I usually get my winter boots that I'm still wearing there so I'm sure they'd have something I'd like.

EauRouge · 14/05/2013 15:58

I can't really be arsed to prettify my feet that much- does anyone really look? I do have a go at some of the really tough skin if it's sore or cracked but I'm worried about scrubbing too much in case I knacker my feet- running is more important to me than having pretty feet. I'll chuck on some nail varnish but probably not in fashionable colours- I like colours that don't show up the chips that badly. And I wear Birkies, so there Grin

Monty27 · 14/05/2013 15:59

Must must have nice toenails and no dead skin.

BehindLockNumberNine · 14/05/2013 16:04

My feet (incl of toes) come out once the temperature hovers just around the 18 - 20 degrees celcius mark. (so they were out last week, in fact Grin) Definitely no special occasion needed, when the weather turns warm enough to wear short sleeved tops I also go into summer sandals!!

Every year I promise myself that I will look after my feet all year round, but every spring I end up having a mad panic where I spend an evening (usually after I have spent all day sweating in winterboots, I don't do inbetween, straight from winterboots to sandals for me) soaking, rasping, creaming and trimming. Then a quick lick of varnish on the nails and we are ready to go (eventually)

Being over 6ft tall, my favourite sandals are definitely flat ones. I currently live in Birkenstocks Gizeh in the summer and have three pairs of differently coloured ones to coordinate roughly with what I am wearing.

I do not like enclosed-toe sandals as they make my feet smell too much. I need air around my feet to keep things fresh Grin

I love wearing my Birkenstocks in the summer, my feet like being free when it it warm. As soon as the weather turns autumnal though I am back in my warm, cosy Clarks winterboots.

I don't buy sandals (nor boots) for style, purely for comfort Grin

cavewoman · 14/05/2013 16:11

This is my first year doing anything to my feet and I've got a bit obsessed - my legs are awful so will stay hdden, my feet will be the only bits on show so I want nice 'Benetton' feet - all soft and lovely! Soap and Glory foot cream is working wonders, cuticles softened, trim nails + clear polish. I love them!

Spirael · 14/05/2013 16:17

It's very rare that all the conditions are met for me to be able to wear sandals!

Firstly it has to actually be very warm, otherwise without my feet snuggly wrapped up in socks and shoes I get Raynaud's phenomenon and my toes go numb, turning white then blue.

Secondly, I have terrible trouble getting any sandals to fit in the first place! I've inherited the flaw of flat, narrow feet. They're so slim and shallow and I walk straight out of most shoes. With closed shoes I can mitigate this with innersoles, but that's not an option for sandals.

So if the stars happen to align right so I have fitting sandals and nice enough weather to wear then, the only thing I tend to do is make sure my feet are clean, not too hairy and my nails are trimmed!

Dolallytats · 14/05/2013 16:25

I've been wearing my sandals for ages. I really hate enclosed feet and, apart from when it snowed, I've been wearing then since about February!! I wear them even when it's raining.

I do occasionally get the foot file out to get rid of dry skin (although because I wear them all the time and never wear shoes indoors, they really need it done more regularly!!) and I put foot cream on to try and make them softer. My beauty therapist daughter despairs of the fact that I don't put nail varnish on-she really hates bare toe nails in sandals!!

Now I am 30 weeks pregnant and can't reach my feet very well and also have one swollen elephant foot, so they are going to look extra unattractive in the Summer. My daughter has offered to do them, but I hate people touching my feet, I am really ticklish and fear I may accidentally kick out!!

cornypedicure · 14/05/2013 16:56

I like to get a really good pedicure at this time of year (hence my name change) and then I'll sort them out myself for the rest of the summer.

I wouldn't wear open toe sandals pre-pedicure though.

cornypedicure · 14/05/2013 16:58

What's your favourite type of sandal? Flat and relaxed, a height-boosting wedge or maybe a strappy number?

I love havianas because they are so comfy and don't rub, but also I like a small wedge in summer

What date or occasion did you you/ will you do it? Does it need to be a special occasion?

no

Do you have a pamper ritual before getting your feet out? What it is? Full scrub, pedicure or a quick slick of a nude varnish? Share your tips (please!)

pedicure - wouldn't get them out without

Mumelie · 14/05/2013 17:20

I tend to go straight from my winter boots into sandals! Nothing in between! So far the weather has not been good enough to make the swap.
I like a flat but strappy sandal. Or a small wedge for evenings out. I cant do heels as I have very high arches and you can see daylight underneath!
I do go for a pedicure to start me off at the beginning of the summer. I like a gel on my toe nails - it lasts for weeks and weeks so great value.

Allthingspretty · 14/05/2013 17:37

Flexitol on my feet a couple of werleks before the time where. Summer is expected.

Dry skin filed away.

Toes cut before polish is applied.

I like a wedge that is comfy and stylish and makes it look like you have made an effort and that complements the outfit you are wearing.

Allthingspretty · 14/05/2013 17:37

Oh and shoes taken to the cobblers etc before wearing again of needed

Newsletters you might like

Discover Exclusive Savings!

Sign up to our Money Saver newsletter now and receive exclusive deals and hot tips on where to find the biggest online bargains, tailored just for Mumsnetters.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

Parent-Approved Gems Await!

Subscribe to our weekly Swears By newsletter and receive handpicked recommendations for parents, by parents, every Sunday.

Log in to update your newsletter preferences.

You've subscribed!

whattodoo · 14/05/2013 17:41

I love wearing sandals. Particularly flats such as birkenstocks.
In fact, once I'm in the sandal wearing zone, I generally keep wearing them until November!
I try to get rid of hard/dry skin on heels, get a little bit of self tan on and have a nice pedi.
I only discovered wedge sandals last year and loved wearing them with skirts and dresses. Made me feel feminine for a change.

SunshinePanda · 14/05/2013 18:42

Love wearing pretty sandals but hate cold feet! Start to get feet ready in Spring as I look longingly at my Summer clothes. Flexitol cream, foot file and body scrub are essential. I usually have my toenails painted all year round often in bold colours, which I would like to wear on my fingers but somehow never suit me.Would love some pretty flip flop style sandals that I could walk a mile or two in without rubbing etc.

VenusRising · 14/05/2013 18:55

I wear sandals as soon as the temp goes above 15 degrees!

I have a year long routine of scrub every week and intense moisturise and then I trim my nails and oil cuticles.

When the sun shines, I apply a fab pop of coloured nail varnish, and I'm good to go.

I have never worn any shoes which were uncomfortable, and always buy leather shoes, so my feet are very soft, and toes all straight, no hard skin, and no bunions. I'm lucky to have two feet, and love all my sandals: flats, wedges, and strappy ones.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.