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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask about shandals?

293 replies

LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 07:29

I love a shandal, mountain warehouse particularly.

BUT! Is there an actual sandal you find comfy for all day walking in the sun?

Which might look a bit better with a summer dress…

OP posts:
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16
Original poster
LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 11:17

MiserableMrsMopp · 11/04/2025 11:13

I'm a bitch up north. Oxymoron?

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It is indeed.

OP posts:
MiserableMrsMopp · 11/04/2025 11:13

LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 11:09

I am up North and I think people are definitely nicer here going by this crowd.

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I'm a bitch up north. Oxymoron?

Original poster
LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 11:11

Thanks everyone!

I’m actually more taken by the few people saying fuck it, wear the walking sandals than the people saying it’s an outrage and women can’t wear anything ugly, unpretty and so on.

I’m wearing them as an act of defiance about beauty standards now.

(But I am also going to buy some tevas as they look lovely!)

OP posts:
Original poster
LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 11:09

Bringbackspring · 11/04/2025 10:00

People are being a bit mean aren't they! I've come here in solidarity with you, OP, as while I'd never heard of a shandal, I googled it and realised I have a pair!

You may be on the wrong forum for this type of chat. A outdoorsy/hiking themed facebook group might be better. If you wore them up here in the North of Scotland you'd fit right in :)

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I am up North and I think people are definitely nicer here going by this crowd.

OP posts:
MrsSunshine2b · 11/04/2025 11:07

ShowOfHands · 11/04/2025 10:40

I do wonder at S&B threads.

I'm a teacher and the students complain about uniform a lot and while I don't necessarily agree with school uniform overall, I do point out that it reduces bullying. We had a massive problem a few years ago with people bullying boys who wore shorts and they were shamed into wearing trousers and feeling uncomfortable. The cry was always "I wouldn't be seen dead in shorts" and we tackled it robustly and now shorts are worn by at least half of the boys in summer and nobody says a word about them.

I know people on MN are trying to be hilarious and most posters won't feel miserable hearing the asides, but the snide digs do sometimes give me pause.

"Unpretty"? "Ugly"? When exactly are women going to be allowed to have hobbies and be comfortable doing them without worrying about meeting a beauty standard. Or just wearing shoes they like.

I think it's the opposite. Forcing all the students to look exactly the same contributes to a culture where being different brings disapproval. Small changes within the accepted uniform- e.g. rolling up skirts, shortening ties, untucked shirts, become the only acceptable way to wear it and anyone who wears it differently gets bullied. Any teacher who thinks kids in uniform don't get bullied, including for what they are wearing, is extremely naive.

Countries where there is no school uniforms- i.e. most of the rest of Europe- don't have higher rates of bullying.

Original poster
LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 11:06

doodahdayy · 11/04/2025 10:25

I imagine you wear them with walking trousers and a fleece with a wolf on it.

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I don’t own one but I secretly cover the wolf fleeces. Not bold enough to go there though.

OP posts:
Limonatamum · 11/04/2025 11:04

What about plain black tevas? Practical and outdoorsy but not hideous

Mookie81 · 11/04/2025 10:54

TheCountofMountingCrispBags · 11/04/2025 07:37

Had to google.
Tbh, I would not be seen dead in these. They look like a cartoon tramp's shoes; found in a skip, but the toe section has to be cut off because they are too small.
Quite a few threads about sandal in style and beauty at the moment, with some lovely examples

Cartoon tramp, 😂😂😂😂

XDownwiththissortofthingX · 11/04/2025 10:51

Did shomebody say shandals?

To ask about shandals?
Ihateslugs · 11/04/2025 10:49

Forgot to add the photo for some reason!

To ask about shandals?
Ihateslugs · 11/04/2025 10:47

I’ve never heard of shandals but realise I have been wearing them for years! They are ideal for keeping my feet cool in the summer, are waterproof and very light weight to pack. I buy a lot of comfy shoes from Cotton Traders and have just got these for my holidays this year.

Mind you, I am a size 8 and getting rather old so do struggle to find shoes I like!

MiserableMrsMopp · 11/04/2025 10:43

LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 08:10

I think I’ve found a gateway sandal to help me move from shandals. 😁

Nooooooooooooooo. This is stuff my elderly aunt would wear. Get yourself over to Schuh or Office.

JudgeJ · 11/04/2025 10:40

ShowOfHands · 11/04/2025 10:11

I'd never heard of shandals either but Google tells me they're what I wear all summer.

I wear Teva sandals but discontinued ones that look a lot like the Teva Dozer. My first pair lasted a decade and I wore them hiking and trekking, washed them frequently and they were indestructible. I trawl eBay for them regularly as finding a replacement pair was difficult and they really are magical.

(I don't give a shiny shite about people saying they wouldn't be seen dead in them. They suit my lifestyle.)

I bought some Ecco walking sandals in the Sale a few years back, quite pricey for me, but they are very very comfortable.

ShowOfHands · 11/04/2025 10:40

I do wonder at S&B threads.

I'm a teacher and the students complain about uniform a lot and while I don't necessarily agree with school uniform overall, I do point out that it reduces bullying. We had a massive problem a few years ago with people bullying boys who wore shorts and they were shamed into wearing trousers and feeling uncomfortable. The cry was always "I wouldn't be seen dead in shorts" and we tackled it robustly and now shorts are worn by at least half of the boys in summer and nobody says a word about them.

I know people on MN are trying to be hilarious and most posters won't feel miserable hearing the asides, but the snide digs do sometimes give me pause.

"Unpretty"? "Ugly"? When exactly are women going to be allowed to have hobbies and be comfortable doing them without worrying about meeting a beauty standard. Or just wearing shoes they like.

Bbq1 · 11/04/2025 10:38

LeaveTaking · 11/04/2025 08:09

Haha, I know they’re ugly but they’re so convenient.

I’m coming out of the stage with young kids where just being dressed is enough to leave the house. It’s time for the shandals to retire.

@KimberleyClark thanks for the link! They look lovely.

I’ll have a look over in style!

I love walking sandals and there are pretty ones around but the shandals don't look great and look quite hot and sweaty with the closed toe. They'd be good for actual hiking.

JudgeJ · 11/04/2025 10:38

DancingDucks · 11/04/2025 10:10

Well, no, I don't like them personally, but I'm still astounded that people actually wear crocs outside of their garden. 15 years ago that was literally a huge style no-no. So who knows, maybe in 15 years time we'll all be cutting about in our shandals. 😂

Hah! I once suddenly needed a quick trip to Tesco, when I got there I realised I was still in my gardening crocs, I did without what I'd needed, no way was I going into Tesco wearing them!

MrsMappFlint · 11/04/2025 10:37

Your'e right and I take your point! @Wexone. In the light of that, I've revised my opinion-maybe the coffin is the best venue for shandels! 😀

NorthQueef · 11/04/2025 10:30

Shurely you can't be sherious?

Wexone · 11/04/2025 10:30

MrsMappFlint · 11/04/2025 10:26

Not in your coffin though! Surely you could wear high heeled leopard print winklepickers in there! Why would you settle for a shandel at that point.

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Ha my mother in law being cremated - if she has fab leopard print shoes they defo wont be going in that

sparrowflewdown · 11/04/2025 10:29

I like shadals! I haven't got any but they can look cool.

Talipesmum · 11/04/2025 10:28

Completely confused why people are saying a dress is not suitable for walking around all day in a reasonably active way? Sure, not for climbing or clambering, but spending all day walking around on anywhere from footpaths to pavements? Dresses are comfy and for some, a lot more flattering and cooler to wear than shorts or trousers. And there’s no way I’m spending the whole day on my feet and wearing something more designed to look good than be comfortable. My tolerance for uncomfortable footwear slipped away in mid 20’s, after a few holidays slightly spoiled by blisters etc. I have got the worlds least tolerant feet, though, super wide and not at all pretty.

ACynicalDad · 11/04/2025 10:28

I want a shandal as much as I want a shart.

Langdale3 · 11/04/2025 10:27

My kids had these for the beach when they were little! I’d never thought of getting myself a pair but I need to replace my knackered beach shoes and am now tempted….

MrsMappFlint · 11/04/2025 10:26

Wexone · 11/04/2025 10:03

unfortunately for my mother inlaw she has to for her feet - Sometimes health issues constraint what you wear

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Not in your coffin though! Surely you could wear high heeled leopard print winklepickers in there! Why would you settle for a shandel at that point.

FoxedByACat · 11/04/2025 10:26

Gettingbysomehow · 11/04/2025 10:19

The flowery dress, trainers and denim jacket combo are crimes against women. If you need to walk outdoors wear trousers or shorts and walking sandals. Any sandal with a blackstrap are good enough for walking.

I've just bought a new denim jacket, apparently they're back in! 😁