What do you think of these sandals?

[ArwenUndomniel]

I've been trawling shops both online and on the high street looking for some sandals that are 1) brown 2) closed-toe 3) not too chunky but with no thin straps that cut into your feet 4) not heeled but also not pancake-flat with no support 5) not liable to slip off when you're walking. I want them for going on a spring city break in the south of France so that I can do a fair bit of walking during the day but they would also be ok to wear with a dress for the evenings.

I eventually found these ones on Vinted and they seemed to tick all the boxes, but when I was looking at the pictures it wasn't at all obvious that they had the elastic strap across the top. Now that I've tried them on I'm not sure if they look OK or if the strap spoils it a bit. It's the colour and the fact it's elastic - if it had just been the same coloured leather as the shoes it would have been fine. What do people think? Keep looking?

Sorry but I think the strap is dreadful. I’m not a fan of the colour either. A brown weave sandal is lovely but I think a richer brown is better. What were they thinking with that strap?

I like them. I do like a strap though.

Keep looking!

Oh blimey, they are truly awful - sorry! Keep looking..

I think they’re awful, sorry. They look pretty beaten up, the colour is very humdrum and I’m afraid that strap is the final nail in the coffin.

What’s your shoe size and budget? Maybe we can find a nicer alternative for you.

I wouldn't wear them. I don't think my 90 year old mum would either. But if you like them - nobody will be looking at your feet.

the darker elastic is too stark a contrast. Have you searched up fisherman sandals! The more expensive/ better designed ones can be less ‘heavy’ looking and could be ok for you?

I really like them apart from the strap. Would it be possible to remove it? Would they stay on ok?

Hmmm I look at people’s feet, and maybe I shouldn’t but I think the right shoes really make an outfit look its best.

Dear god, no no no

Pretty unanimous then! In the pictures the strap was sort of tucked into the shoe and they looked like part of the insole. I wouldn't have bought them if it had been more obvious. Oh well! They were only £3 so they can go to the hospice shop.

I could go up to about £80 for a pair that really ticked all the boxes. I'd obviously wear them during the summer as well, not just on holiday, but that was the trigger for looking!

I don't think they would tbh, but I've really gone off them now.

Are they comfortable @ArwenUndomniel ?

Please don’t donate them

Why don't you get a proper pair of walking sandals, OP? Ecco and Moshulu do some nice ones, really comfortable too.

Would these Fisherman Sandals in brown work from M&S?

Sadly these sandals have made me vomit into my own mouth 😢

Too chunky. I have fat ankles and calves and the usual style of fisherman's sandals make me look like an actual fisherman.

Sorry but they’re awful

I don't think they'd really go with my holiday clothes - I was hoping for something that would just look like normal shoes but be comfortable enough to walk around in, not obvious "walking sandals".

Why not? I get that they're not great but I'm not binning perfectly wearable shoes that someone else might be able to use.

Because they are awful and no one should have to wear them, as the phrase goes don’t give to strangers what you wouldn’t give to someone you know

Have a look at Josef Seibel's Rosalie, or Pikolinos.
Kk x

Can you not cut the elastic strap off them? If you put them on with the strap under your foot do they still stay on? Would be one way of still making them wearable?

I think you need to size down in them