The temperature has shifted from “polar tundra” to “surprisingly warm”. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, trees and flowers are budding, and you’ve gotten the season’s first pedicure. Bye-bye boots, hello sandals.
Like most moms, I usually reach for a pair of flip flops for that first warm spring day. And why not, they are comfortable, inexpensive, and let my feet enjoy the sun and breath after being smothered in socks for the last four months.
But when day two, three, and fifty-seven roll around, I’m still wearing those same flip flops. I wear them to the pool, the store, out for dinner, on vacation, to let the dog out. They are like the swiss-army knife of footwear…it can be used whenever.
But, as I have gotten older, I realize that while flip flops have their place, they should not be the go-to shoe for every occasion. Not when there are so many adorable, affordable, and comfortable sandals available.
So just like last fall, when I made it my quest to find Must Have Winter Boots For Mom (That Isn’t Another Pair of Uggs), I’ve come up with some awesome choices for Must Have Sandals for Mom (That Are Not Another Pair of Flip Flops).
And if you are investing is a great pair of sandals, I can not say enough great things about Zappos. And here is why…
- The Selection. It’s crazy. About every brand, style, size and color is available. I can’t even imagine what the warehouse is like. I’d probably just sit in a corner and try on shoes till I couldn’t stand in a stiletto again.
- The Reader’s Comments. You want to want to find if a shoe is true to size, comfortable, breaks after the third wear, etc…you’ll find out in the comments. Those comments are GOLD for helping pick out a great comfortable sandal over one that is going to give you blisters.
- FREE shipping both ways. Order 30 pairs of sandals, try them all on with various outfits and walk around the house all day. Don’t like 29 of them, ship them back for FREE.
So, here are fives types of sandals that have replaced my flip flops for Must Have Sandals For Mom.
The Flat
Hands down, this is the best shoe if you are looking to upgrade out of your flip flops. The Sam Edelman Gigi.
There are many, many, many knock-offs, but the Sam Edelman Gigi is the original (and still best-selling) thong-style flat. I own two pairs of these shoes (and usually purchase a new color each summer).
They are stylish, comfortable, and well-made. (So comfortable in fact, that I have walked all day in NYC in them without a blister or sore toe.)
I’m fond of the Almond color because it almost just disappears when it is on your foot. But they have a gazillion colors available to go with any skin tone or outfit.
And even better, it can be worn with everything…jeans, shorts, skirts, dresses, capris, and more.
And buy in confidence, this sandal has been a staple for almost 10 years, it isn’t going out of style anytime soon.
The Leather Wedge
I’ve read about 10 different fashion magazines over the past week and every single one of them has a leather wedge as one of their “must haves” for this spring/summer.
My personal favorite, is the Born Emmy. It has a 123 PERFECT reviews and is known for being super comfortable and super stylish. For those that are poo-pooing a higher heel, remember this is a platform. In all actuality, the heel size is probably only a couple of inches.
The Born Emmy is a work horse, because it goes with EVERYTHING, including jeans, wide leg linen pants, shorts, skirts and maxi dresses.
I love the nude color because it elongates the leg and can be worn with any colored outfit (and also because I’m SUPER pale, so dark colors tend to look too stark). However, if you tan easily, you might consider the darker brown or olive.
Looking for a more inexpensive leather wedge? Try the Madden Girl Kiterr.
The Elongated Gladiator
Gladiator sandals have been in style for awhile now, but this year’s trend is the elongated gladiator that laces up to the bottom of the knee. And while I really like the look on teenage and 20-something girls, it would look ridiculous on me, the 40 year old mom.
My solution, these Madden Girl Honi sandals. Just a hint of a heel, plus plenty of strapping (but not too much) that comes up past your ankle to the bottom of your shin.
These sandals would be perfect with shorts, skirts, or an asymmetrical maxi dress. Remember, these sandals are meant to make a statement, so make sure you aren’t hiding them under pants or a long dress.
The Jeweled Flat
BLING for your sandals is IN this season. (Because, according to my daughter, everything is better with a BLING.)
The Jeweled Flat is an “upgrade” over the regular flat, but it isn’t meant solely for evenings out on the town. It just adds a little shine in an otherwise normal day.
These versatile flats can be work with skirts, dresses, capris, shorts and more.
Plus, these jeweled flats are fairly inexpensive and easy to find (so you can throw a pair in while you are doing errands at Target and no one is the wiser).
My favorite jeweled flats…
Nine West Zirysa in Grey | Franco Sarto Galileo in Gold | Guess Adona in Black | Madden Girl Ripplle in Silver
The Platform
Similar to the Born Emmy Leather Wedge, the platform is making a huge comeback this season (thank you 70s and 80s). Platforms are meant to increase your height WITHOUT having to wear a tall heel.
I’m loving this Naot Footwear Valencia Platform in brass leather. It really is kind of a combination all the styles above into one awesome sandal. (A little wedge, a little gladiator, and a little jewels.)
Again, this is a work horse shoe that would look awesome with jeans, wide leg linen pants, shorts, skirts and maxi dresses. Plus, it has a PERFECT rating…which is always a great selling point in my book.
So what do you think? Think I nailed the Must Have Sandals For Mom That Are Not Flip Flops? Are you ready to get rid of your Flip Flops (or at least not wear them as much) in 2015?
