It’s that time of year again – temps have started to rise, rendering closed-in shoes sticky and uncomfortable. Enter: the summer sandal. Easily the hardest working shoe style in your closet this season, the right edit of sandals can take you from a casual breakfast with friends to a wedding or dressed-up dinner and beyond. Equally important to shopping the best summer sandals for 2022? Learning how to care for them properly.
We’ve pulled together our tips on looking after the essential sandals every summer capsule wardrobe needs.
Tip #1: Invest in craftsmanship
If you plan to wear your sandals on high rotation, craftsmanship is of the utmost importance. It’s not just about seeking out high-quality materials (leather has the ability to absorb moisture where synthetic fabrics do not) but considering the make too. With gravity, feet tend to slightly widen throughout the day, so if the shoe footbed is too narrow, it can cause discomfort and even create deformities through friction or pressure. Remember that sandals that go with everything are bonafide wardrobe essentials, and shop accordingly.
Tip #2: Diversify your collection
While there’s nothing wrong with buying multiples of the pieces you love (shoes included), investing in just one sandal style will limit outfit options. Having a small, curated collection that consists of a mix of slip-on sandals, ankle straps, chunky and dainty styles means you’ll always be able to find a pair that suits your outfit. Sticking with a refined palette of black, brown/tan and a lighter neutral also allows for easier outfit-making.
Tip #3: Take care of them
Stuck in a pattern of buying new sandals every summer only to bin them come winter? Follow these simple care tips, and you’ll enjoy them much longer. First, keep leather sandals out of the rain. When wet, leather can permanently warp and stretch. Second, consider adding a protective sole to new pairs to prevent uneven wear. (At the least, have sandals resoled when necessary to extend their lifetime.) It also pays to rotate the sandals you wear daily to limit wear and tear – alternating two pairs will extend their lifetimes. Store sandals in dust bags with paper stuffing in each shoe to keep their shape. And lastly, mist leather sandals with a waterproof spray pre-wear and treat them to a regular dose of leather conditioner for maximum longevity.
Shop our curated edit of summer sandals for all occasions here.
Read next: What To Wear To a Wedding (As a Minimalist)
