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?

These. The Josef Siebel ones.

Is that you in the photo? Can't see your calves properly but your ankles are perfectly normal, they're not fat at all!

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree. Nobody would ever donate anything on that basis and nobody "has" to wear them if they don't want to. And if they do want to, at least the hospice makes a few quid.

I bought them on Vinted but in any case, I've definitely gone off them now. I don't think I've seen such strength of opinion over shoes on here!

Whyever not?

My first though, as someone up thread said, was wear them with the strap kept inside the shoe with your foot on top. IF you can keep your foot inside without the strap, you might be able to cut it off. I'd also get a darker, shoe polish and give them a going over. They look rather worn, but a darker colour might help.

Lastly, are they the correct size? Normally, peep toe shoes show a toe- these don't, so I wonder if they are too long/large?

Was also going to suggest the Siebel Rosalie, but if for some reason they don't suit, I came across Rieker's Maria, which is somewhat similar, although not available in straight brown (cream and beige or olive and brown are the closest options).

Chop the strap and then see. Without it they would look like a very 80s sandal style which is pretty trendy at the moment.

I’ll have to come off this thread now 🙈

Because they are awful and need to go in the bin

Horrible, sorry.

Yep, I think I get the message that they're awful. I'm going to keep looking. Honestly, I can't see how the Josef Siebel ones are any better, and there are some sort of OK Pikolinos but they're still very much of the same style. I will probably end up having to compromise on the closed-toe criteria if I can find something that meets all the others. Why is it so difficult to keep one's feet hidden in comfort??

They're fine, @ArwenUndomniel. Try them out and see if they feel OK.

@ArwenUndomniel whilst I accept the Josef Siebel ones aren't super trendy, can you really not see that they are hugely better than you pair ypu have linked/modelled at the beginning of the thread.

josefseibel.co.uk/products/josef-seibel-rosalie-13?variant=54947743695225&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=22375300210&utm_content=&utm_term=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22365262446&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZjOBhCmARIsADDuFTAHt7C9H4pLhBGVO9g4u0dPrsMRA8bZwValG1_LjEXPThLLdX1zgz4aAvAlEALw_wcB

Or you could try some soft soled deck style shoes.

Hellish

I think it's the pattern on the side of the soles. They'd be much better if that was plain.

https://www.pavers.co.uk/products/adjustable-cushioned-sandals-woil43023-328-998-tan/Tan/8?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19820457251&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZjOBhCmARIsADDuFTBDgTajR-UtBhy9nqCJvjzThqyobGpPPWjgGmR7yTo7eHIK_gXcNdoaAqHDEALw_wcB

Any good. Cheaper too.

teva tirra sandals ?

Yuk

You’re going to be hard pushed to find anything decent that is described as “closed toe and brown”… I mean. Hideous. (Sorry!)

Have a look at https://www.keenfootwear.co.uk/products/womens-uneek-sneaker-oak-buff-chipmunkkeen www.keenfootwear.co.uk/products/womens-uneek-sneaker-oak-buff-chipmunkkeen]]]] You could get a pair of cheap espadrilles for night with dresses as well, all bases covered

Link didn’t work but it’s keen footwear, very fashionable practical shoes

https://www.keenfootwear.co.uk/products/womens-whisper-lily-pad

https://www.keenfootwear.co.uk/products/womens-uneek-vapor-pale-lilac

https://www.gaborshoes.co.uk/womens-c1/shoes-c2/ballet-pumps-c84/gabor-ruffle-womens-punched-detail-casual-shoes-p39264#attribute[1]=43138

?

There are some unstylish shoes on this thread.