Sandals: What’s Cool and What’s Hot
Summertime is officially sandal season! And 2012 has some good ones to offer. Here are some of the trends this year with sandals – what’s cool and what’s hot.
Flats
There are a few kinds of flat sandals trending this year, which is good news for those who can’t or don’t want to wear heels.
1. Gladiators
There’s no doubt about it – the gladiator sandal is in this summer. Gladiators are nice because they can cover up ankles and calves that may not be your best features. However, the general consensus is that gladiator sandals don’t really do well on women who are short or who have thick legs.
Gladiators come in roughly three heights – ankle, mid-calf and knee lengths. Choose a length that works for your body type and the shape of your legs. For instance, thin, minimal lacing on ankle-height gladiators may work better for those with thicker legs, whereas thinner legs may do better with thicker or numerous laces that are knee-height.
2. Thongs
Thongs are not just to get you over the hot sand to the water in 2012 – thongs come in all kinds of colors now, and you can wear them with skirts and cut-off pants, too.
3. Bows
Sandals with bows are in this year. They are often flat or have a small heel, but what characterizes them is the wide bow that goes across your toes. Bow sandals are usually minimal and strappy, with the bow being the only strap over the foot. Often, there is a thin buckled strap around the ankle.
Heels
There are some seriously high heels out there this year. The strappy look is in, and high heels with slender straps around the ankles are definitely a modern look. But don’t despair if you can’t wear super-high heels – wedge heels are back, and they are often a lot more comfortable and easier to walk in.
Wedges are usually cork, and are worn with casual skirts and loose, short pants.
Colors
The days of simple brown and black and beige sandals are behind us! In 2012, it’s all about the color – the pastels of spring are carrying over into the summer as baby blue, mint green, butter yellow, and pink find their way onto sandals. Bright colors are trendy, too, particularly orange and aqua-blue.
Colorful details are popping up (and out) on sandals this year, too. Rivets, sequins, buckles, and other “bling” are glittering on sandals in 2012. Even braided sandals are coming back, and combined with the colors, bows and sparkles, it looks like an interesting year for sandals!