Fancy footwork: giant pom-poms and OTT tassles - this season's sandals are anything but understated
There was a time, not so long ago, when sandals were intended to be seen but not heard. The quiet and obedient understudy to a summer outfit that made all its own noise, sandals were low-key, unremarkable even, with simplistic design and a muted palette key.
This year, however, that’s gone out of the window with the emergence of an all-singing all-dancing approach to fairweather footwear that’s never been seen before. Emblazoned with prints, festooned with feather embellishment and even trimmed with fur, sandals have hit the big time.
So much so, in fact, that they’re becoming a headline act in their own right.
Take a look at the flat-shoe section of your favourite shopping site and the evidence is plain to see. Gone are the practical Birkenstocks and tractor-soled geography-teacher shoes and in their place stand kaleidoscopic pom-pom trimmed raffia slingbacks and more neon-yellow leather than you can shake a stick at.
Leading the stampede is New York-based Brother Vellies - a brand whose dedication to African artisans has previously caught the eye of Kanye West.
Turning over tried-and-tested practices, Brother Vellies, under the direction of founder and creative director Aurora James, places emphasis on its footwear by teaming low-key looks - classic white shirts or slip dresses in muted shades - with its memorable collection of handcrafted marabou flats.
The brand, which has only a few stockists in the UK at the moment, shares a similar design philosophy to fellow US label Sam Edelman and Brit Sophia Webster.
Not surprisingly, the high street also looks determined to get in on the act.
At Zara, a retailer well versed in regurgitating the catwalk at pace, a pair of pom-pom-trimmed lace-up sandals look poised to become the affordable flat of the season, while Office and Mango are also making nods to the trend with sandals that stand out from the crowd.
Of course, if you consider the way the flat shoe stands in 2016, the emergence of statement sandals is a logical progression. With flat shoes established as reputable red-carpet attire, it makes crystal-clear sense that designers should look to designing them with bells and whistles attached . For our summer wardrobes, the emergence of this trend means that at last we can attend an array of occasions wearing our favourite flats.
For a wedding, a pair of Brother Vellies’ painstakingly embellished mules are a fine option that are set to have you dancing up the aisle, while for a swank midsummer night’s do the options are equally endless.
To select a pair that will work for you, think “more is more”. This is no halfway house trend and requires colour in abundance. Essentially, we’re prescribing a carnival to which only your feet are invited.
If you can bear to, consider splashing a little bit more cash than you would on your run-of-the-mill summer sandal - there’s nothing more depressing than a statement sandal that’s lost its feathers/sequins.
And treat your sandals as you would a prize pair of pumps or a posh clutch bag: this is no everyday outfit option but a shoe that demands a fanfare and the right invitation to match.
Fancy footwork: this season's sandals are anything but understatedBrother VelliesKanye WestAurora JamesSophia WebsterZaraMangoEssentially, we’re prescribing a carnival to which only your feet are invited