As the warmer months are upon us, one of the biggest issues for males and females in finding footwear that is functional and fashionable, breathable, slip-on, and provides extra cushioning to their wardrobe. An ankle strap sandal checks all those boxes.

In addition, sandals are the alpha shoes of summer that deliver more freedom (both physically and aesthetically) to wearers and also offer more creativity and breathability than any snowshoe or boot ever could.

Here, we will discuss comfortable and highly versatile sandals that are chic and practical.

Buying guide for

Best Ankle Strap Sandals

Purpose: If you’re going for fun at the beach, wearing your platform sandals won’t be a good idea. Also, you won’t want to reach for a toe-post sandal to walk into the office. Therefore, when buying your sandals, ensure you consider the purpose.

Do they match the clothes you already have: Many women’s heeled sandals are the focal point of their outfits. You may have fallen in love with those pairs of strappy sandals. However, if they only match one outfit, you’ll probably be better off buying something more versatile.

What To Look For When Buying Ankle Strap Sandals

Do they rub?:  Remember that sandals only make contact with the foot in specific areas, so ill-fitting and poorly designed sandals can irritate and cause blisters. So, in order to prevent this, select models with wider straps as the larger surface area will stop them from rubbing on one point.

Arch Support: Regardless of how much you love a pair of sandals, they might end up at the back of the wardrobe if they aren’t comfortable to wear. Therefore, if you’re looking for a sandal you can walk far in, you’ll need to get one with better arch support to prevent walking from being uncomfortable or even painful.

Do you want open toes?: If you are uncomfortable showing off your feet, don’t be tempted to commit a fashion sin by wearing socks with your sandals. You’ll be better off avoiding sandals and simply sticking to shoes.

Do Ankle Strap Shoes Make Legs Look Shorter?

We can’t confidently say YES. It depends on multiple factors like the proportion between your feet and ankles, the thickness of the strap, your calves, and the shape of your legs.

So, if your body mass has weird proportions like thin ankles and muscular calves, you must carefully choose the right shoes with ankle straps that fit your leg shape. E.g., Hermes sandals, Louis Vuitton shoes, Dr. Martens sandals, and Dior shoes.

How To Wear Ankle Strap Sandals

The benefit of ankle strap sandals is their versatility. Hence, you can wear them with everything from cocktail dresses to pantsuits and jeans.

They are a classic silhouette that will never go out of fashion. For this reason, you might want to have, at the minimum, a pair in your closet (maybe gold heels, white heels, or silver heels) that you can access on any occasion.

The key to getting a comfortable pair of ankle strap shoes is to pick well-designed ones.

How Do I Stop a Leather Ankle Strap-on Sandals From Sticking Out?

This involves a two-step process:

• • First, on each end of your strap, insert a wide-headed iron thumbtack with its point facing outward. Then, hammer down the point, so it bends to crimp the tack from falling off and render it harmless.
  • Second, attach an accurately-sized rare-earth magnet (glue or epoxy) to the outer part of your sandals to attract and keep the head of the tack on the loose strap. Also, you might want to smoothen the slight lump with adhesive-backed tape.

What Is The Best Way To Clean The Sandals?

The best step-by-step method on how to clean sandals, whether they are toe post sandals, strappy sandals, or slides, is by using baking soda and a soft toothbrush.

• • First of all, blend 1 part water with three parts baking soda to make a paste.
  • Second, put the toothbrush into the paste and carefully scrub it all over the footbeds, uppers, and soles, focusing more on discolored or extra-dirty areas.
  • Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off the excess baking soda when your sandals appear clean.

Do Ankle Strap Sandals Stretch Over Time?

Ankle strap sandals do not stretch over time. However, if you suffer from too-tight shoes, there are two simple methods you can use to stretch them to fit your feet perfectly.

• • Apply a little heat: Here, you need a blow dryer and thick socks. So, wear a thick pair of socks with the shoes, then target your blow dryer at the tight areas using medium heat to soften the shoe till it fits comfortably. It mostly takes a couple of minutes to stretch the shoe but ensure you apply a little leather conditioner to keep it in good shape.
• • Keep it cool: Ice is also an effective way to stretch your shoes. Then, partially fill a sandwich bag with water and put it in the area where the shoe is tight. Also, place the shoe in the fridge. As the water in the bag freezes into ice, it will help expand and stretch the shoe.