Fashion
Sandals That Look Hot and Pop
By Nolana Justice
Do you want your T-Strap, Thong and Slides showing? Hope so, because this year, your sandals are walking center stage.
The better designers on the walkway are: Anne Klein, Bandolino (the sexy but low heel maker), Chinese Laundry, Guess, Kenneth Cole, Nine West, Steve Madden and yes, Nike. La piece de resistance goes to the Naughty Monkey collection for its grand flair and innovative use of color. For a fabulous peek, go their website, the pictures are priceless.
Sandals venturing real change are the ergonomical Yoga Sandal by The Beech Sandal Company, Dolce Vita's Bootie Sandal, Teva's Sport Sandal and Chaco's Casual Print Sandal. On a whole, this year's sandal collections look remarkable.
The most affordable sandals can be found at your local shoe or department store. Tags can be frugal friendly, but join a broad price range between $20 to nearly $200 (US). So be prepared, search the right places, catch a sale, buy clearance or go on-line. Avoid catalogs with shipment dates ranging from six to eight weeks, its too long and too late an arrival date. You want fiery fashion sandals while it is still hot outside!
Question is though, how to get amazing sandals to look just as hot and pop on you? There are some wise essentials to make you sizzle in your sandals. They are: Comfort, Color and Shape.
Comfort...What could be worse than watching a woman walk in the wrong size footwear? Sandals are made differently, with little to no support. So, try them on before purchasing. Gauge for the right size. Start with a sandal that is a half size smaller than your regular footwear, put both pair on and walk ten paces. The right sandal will not produce pain or slide off. Additionally, comfortable sandals will have contoured footbeds, insoles and lined straps. You may even add instant arches. Cork sandals should be chosen over wooden ones, as they alleviate shock from impact, protecting bones and joints. Most of all, to look fashionable, know when to wear what: Flats for casual, Low Heels for Respectable Modesty and High Heels for Impression.
Choosing Color...Warm or Cool, which is your true color tone? If gold jewelry stands out when placed against your skin, you are warm. Warm sandal colors are Red, Orange, Yellow, Turquoise, Dark Green or Blue, Amber and a warm White. In contrast, if your silver jewelry stands out, you are cool. Cool sandal colors are Light or Deep Blue, Purple, Green, Pink, Grey and Black. A neutral color is Brown. When you stick to these (despite your favorite clashing color), you accentuate your natural beauty, which is favored in warm months. Also, when sandals are multicolor, then your apparel's color should not be more then two of those seen within the sandal. Remember: people will see a color that highlights either a fashion diva or a fashion wreck.
Choosing Shape...Let us cut to the chase, most women do not have (but want) smaller, daintier feet. So create the look. The heavy wide foot is faint and sleek in a sandal arched or angled in front, whether in low heels, high wedges or flats. You may also prefer the stretch Slide sandal or genuine leather for expansion. The narrow longer foot is shortened and broad in a multicolor flat, a Thong, low or high heel sandals. And while genuine leather is recommended, patent leather can add to the look of width.
A variety of sandals can sculpt the look any foot type. T-Straps are impartial and add feminine appeal. There are sandals ornaments such as feathers, flowers, beads, laces, shells or mother of pearl (a Bali Indonesian look) which defends the broad or narrow. But the comfort craved era has redefined sandals altogether, creating sport and casual variations. The sport sandal resembles the sneaker while the casual sandal can be used for hiking. And of course it welcomes the less dainty anytime. Sandals are indeed shaping the looks and views of the modern woman.
So march into the nearest sandal outlet and step into sensible a sandal for every occasion, one that looks hot and pop on you.