Flat sandals with straps that don't make me look like I'm 80

[OfAllThePlaces]

Feels like I'm searching for something that doesn't exist.

My mobility and chronic pain has come to a head, and I can no longer wear my usual Birkenstocks or wedges that I'd wear in the summer. I need wear flat sandals, with a bit of structure over my toes and a heel strap, and can't have a chunky or thin sole. Can't tie around my ankle as sometimes one of my ankles swells from oedema. I also have a very high instep, so can't wear ones that cover my full foot.

I want ones where I can pull the ankle strap over my ankle, or a velcro strap so that I don't have to bend down too long to get them on.

All the ones I've found look like what my nana wears, with elasticated backs.

I liked these ones https://www.office.co.uk/view/product/office_catalog/2,60/5346085216 but DH laughed jokingly and said his mam would wear them, so didn't get them.

Budget is around £75 a pair. I'd like an everyday pair and a pair I could wear if going out to a beer garden or to look a bit fancier.

I currently have my eye on these
(But I am a size 43)
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su979238/g71372

Ignore your husband....the ones you have posted are nice

The ones you posted are a lot nicer than a lot of the others posted! I have had these in white and in tan, I find them v comfy, they’re pull on and I think look well. Are they too strappy?
www.dunelondon.com/eu/en-ie/landies-flat-sandals-camel-0079500620089612.html?geCountry=IE&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_content=ie_pla_brand&utm_campaign=Dune-%7C-IE-%7C-EN-%7C-PLA-%7C-Brand-%7C-Catch-All&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=759495584&gbraid=0AAAAADdoqiEl01HK0FLalsAXQGPebMfPR&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-dadne6ElAMVapFQBh2PowJ1EAQYAyABEgIMj_D_BwE

Could not be described as stylish in any universe

Lots of nice ones on this thread but those original ones are hideous. I’m 57 and no way would I wear them. I think my 90 year old mum. Might though.

Thank you all for your suggestions so far, some lovely sandals and some way off the mark. Just shows how everyone's sense of fashion can vary so much on this page.

@Puppalicious the Dune ones are the closest to what I'm looking for I think. Not sure they'd go over my high instep, but worth a try.

@CornishPorsche Ive never heard of Reef shoes. They have some nice ones on that I'd consider, thank you.

If you like the Dune ones then Next do something very similar but cheaper. In the past I’ve taken sandals to a cobbler and they’ve added some elastic to a buckled strap so I didn’t need to keep undoing the buckle and could pull them on, so that might be an option for you.

I wear Hotter tourist 2. I have 2 pairs one in leopard and one in gold but they come in all colours. They are the most comfortable sandals on the planet and great for walking.

https://www.freemans.com/products/hotter-leopard-tourist-ii-casual-sandals/_/A-68G818_3

On no account look at hotter or Skechers

I have bought lots of flat leather sandals from Penelope Chilvers, they are over your budget but the rubber soled versions really last.

@OfAllThePlaces - I have fibromyalgia & need sandals to be supportive but not overly heavy. I am also vain ...!!!

So I'm afraid that I would not wear many of the suggestions so far (bar a few). However, I have several pairs of "flatform" type sandals from Whistles that are the comfiest ever - some have Velcro adjustable straps, some a simple buckle. New, they're over your budget - but I've bought all of mine either in the sale or on eBay/Vinted.

They have a few pairs currently that may suit your requirements (tbh I wasn't quite sure what you meant by a strap that you can pull over your ankle?).

This pair looks really smart as well as comfy (& I will getting a pair in the sales!!). It comes in black leather or chocolate brown suede.

https://www.whistles.com/product/asymmetric-buckle-sandal-41020.html

They also have these, which should be well-reduced in the sale soon (I've also seen them crop up on Vinted).

https://www.whistles.com/product/freya-fisherman-sandal-39843.html

These have adjustable Velcro straps, come in metallic pewter or black leather, & are almost on budget in the sale.

https://www.whistles.com/product/ria-sporty-velcro-sandal-38231.html

And these are my current favourites. They come in black or ivory leather & have a similar footbed to Birkenstocks - but comfier!! Also in the sale but over budget. But they're worth it.

https://www.whistles.com/product/ruben-whipstitch-velcro-sandal-38280.html

I binned a pair of leather animal print fur m and s elasticated sandals at the end of last summer. I’d worn them for maybe 15-20 years. Regularly. I only binned them as the inner sole were starting to look a bit dingy.
if I can find a similar pair I’ll spend mucho money - following with interest

These Clarks ones are Velcro & come in three colourways. They look pretty decent?

https://www.clarks.com/en-gb/cecily-mix/26185829-p

I wear custom orthotics on both feet and they fall out of sandals. They make one of my feet artifically high, so I also need instep adjustment. My solutions are:

• Hiking shandals with enclosedish heels and velcro straps.
• Hotter's summer shoes in the mary jane styles.

Also, buy a shoe horn.

https://www.celticandco.com/product/leather-asymmetric-strap-sandals

These might be an option? They come in tan or navy.

Once you move into the medical need category for choosing sandals, you'll also be in the, ahem, older market, who will more likely be looking for the same thing. Elders want comfort, safety and good looks too, so the reason you might look granny-ish is because grannies are wearing them too.

Your DH is being very unhelpful, not least because a good number of the shoes posted so far have been borderline granny-ish anyway, and not in a bad way.
I feel your pain as, at 70+ I'm heading in the direction of foot pain governing my shoe choices, and I don't even wear stupid shoes anyway. Hey ho.

It's very difficult to get the looks and the safety, which is why the fuck-ugly Hoka can be seen on the ends of the legs so many older men in my bit of Australia. I understand they're not even that safe in the long run. I digress.

Sorry. Unhelpful rant over. Good luck with your search, @OfAllThePlaces

I think it IS possible to combine comfort & support & style.

But so many of these companies fuck it up by adding extraneous details, such as silly floral patterns, weird "ornamental" stitching, unnecessary appliqué flowers etc - or by mixing lots of colours & patterns on the one sandal style. That's why so many of them look like such a dog's dinner ...!!! I much prefer mine to be quite minimalist in style.

I love fit flops. I buy the ones that support my ankles - lots to choose from.

These are the Whistles Keller Velcro Footbed Sandals - they're a few years old now but I have them (& another very similar style) in black, cream, gold, navy & pewter!!

You can still pick them up fairly cheaply on eBay/Vinted every so often.

Teva. There are lots of different styles from the hiking style to the plain, colours etc. Apparently they are, or that velcro style, is quite popular now.
I suffer from strange feet: I've a small, wide foot with a high arch but my feet are incredibly blister-y and cut/skin easily. I have Blowfish but find that the flip flops part can rub my toes. I ordered three pairs from Clarks that didn't work. I was going on hols and in desperation ordered two pairs from Teva and kept both: they're brilliant. The velcro allows me to loosen or tighten at different parts of my foot as needed. Feel so comfortable and walked for hours every day. They actually look a lot better on and dont make my feet look even wider, which a lot of sandals do.

And i do like your original choice!

@TheyGrewUp i agree with you and was also going to suggest Remonte.