Any girl who is looking for comfortable sandals should try on a pair of Clarks, Birkenstocks, Keens, or Danskos. And, though every woman's feet are a bit different, all of these brands have good reputations as walking shoes.
Clarks Shoes
Clarks is one of the most popular summer footwear brands in The States.
Clarks Un.Hull: Clarks Un.Hulls are as comfortable as sneakers. They have good support, great cushioning, soft leather uppers, and they don’t look like the true nerd-shoes that they are. These babies are great for traveling (lightweight) or for wearing during pregnancy.
Clarks Longmeadow: This cute style is good for many women. And, though it is a bit harder to find the right fit, these shoes are dressier (in a funky fun way) than the Un.Hull. Try wearing these when:
- Wearing a skirt in Paris
- Attending a beach chic wedding
- Going to a casual dance party in Hawaii
- Slumming it in London
- Reliving those glorious hippie days
Birkenstocks
Birkenstocks have always been de rigueur Baby Boomer hippie wear and the Birkenstock designers have wooed back their base by adding (latex foam) padding to the Birkie footbed. Well, any woman old enough to have done The Hustle in rock-hard Candies platforms knows that, as her little tootsies get older she loses fat from the footpads of her feet. (If only that would happen to the natural padding in the tush region, too.)
Any woman over 40 or 50 intuitively senses that she needs more cush in her footwear.
Birkenstock Arizona: This classic shoe has an anatomically correct footbed made of sustainable cork, which contours to a woman’s foot and offers support. (Shouldn’t everything in life contour to a woman’s actions and offer support?)
Birkenstock Sparta: Sparta has the same footbed as the Arizona but it is a little easier to keep these on one's feet, as it is more like a flip-flop (thong). This is a groovy Roman sandal for old-school hippies, neo-hippies, and Germanic women with naturally fat feet.
Women's Keen Sandal
Keens look as cute on a hipster girl traipsing around Walmart as they do on a chic vacationer biking around Amsterdam. City-dwelling wanderers should also consider Calistoga and Paulina styles, which come as slides or Mary Janes.
Keen Naples: This style is dressy enough for standing all day in d’Orsay or for rocking out all night in Piazza Navarro. "The Naples" has a latex and cork footbed, a waterproof upper (for jumping into a fountain Fellini-style), and a rubber-tread sole (making it less likely that a girl might fall over in that fountain). The Keen Naples shoe has good support and it is a tad wider than other Keens.
Keen Whisper: Okay, these aren’t the prettiest shoes in the world but they are perfect for climbing around in hidden muddy streams on Oahu. (Gregarious girls can find a local to show them where these are, but watch out for the mythical wild pigs.) Keen Whispers are also great shoes for hiking around Mount Rainier, jumping rocks at White River, or tripping through trails in Austria. These sandals have toe protection, their soles have a steady grip, and they are great on ledges where chicks need good stability. These do have a certain, offbeat, functional chic-ness in their design.
Dansko Women's Shoes
Danskos are really very hip for the amount of comfort they give.
Dansko Sissy: Want something that is good enough for a summer wedding reception? Any hipster who wants all the comforts, and a little height (2-1/4”), in a stable platform sandal, should try the Sissy. Vain chickadees could wear high heels for the ceremony and switch to this type of comfortable footwear when the music starts.
Short women should try to get the leg-lengthening Sandpiper color (when wearing dresses) because beige makes most girls appear to be barefoot, and there will be no visual break where the ankle strap hits. Also, smart ladies could rock the black patent leather Dansko Sissy (with the right attitude) at any winter wedding reception.
Dansko Sela: Sela is a comfortable slide that is perfect for a trip to Los Angeles or Spain. Why?
- It's easy to slip these off and on at airport security check-points.
- These have classic, functional styling.
- The platform sole gives a bit of height without sacrificing comfort or stability.
- Lightweight soles keep legs from tiring on long treks through concrete jungles.
One thing to pack: Take a shoe bag so that the buckles on sandals do not snag garments in one’s suitcase.
Online shoppers should remember that every chick has different feet and a different gait, so these extremely popular shoes may not be the best choice for every woman. It's fun to shop online but keep the return label and the shipment box before making a final decision.
Find this interesting?
Best Sites for Cute Women's Travel Sun Hats
How to Wear Ankle Boots With Skinny Jeans
Plus Size Cruise Wear - Sailor Striped Tops Spring/Summer 2011
Best Sites for Women's Travel Wear
Cute Women's Flip Flops & Beach Shoes
Best Women's Shoes in Wide or Narrow Widths
Cute Women's Bathing Suits - Chic Styles
Maxi Dresses for Plus Size Women
Christina Gregoire - Christina Gregoire writes about divorce, fashion, and baby boomers. Her forte is explaining complex ideas in simple language.
Join the Conversation