Be ready for anything summer throws your way with sandals that look and (most importantly!) feel great. Here is habbot's handy guide to buying sandals – eight must-know tips to help you avoid buyer's remorse this summer! If you have fit or styling questions when purchasing sandals online you can always call our helpful team for advice.
1. Pick The Right Style Now - For Comfort Later
Try not to wear sandals that have your toes contracting with each step. When this happens, your foot is exercising to hold on to the shoe - and over time it can cause foot pain, cramps, or balance issues. When trying on sandals, make sure that you can walk comfortably without the shoe slipping off. The right style will depend on your feet, and different foot shapes will need different support structures in the shoe to stop toe gripping. If in doubt, look for a sandal with a strap over the top of the foot or around the ankle, as these can help hold you in.
For the most comfortable fit, sandals should also feel supportive under the arch. The arch support should sit comfortably under the right part of your foot to give you the most benefit of this design feature.
2. Factor In The Summer Swell
Consider how much your feet tend to swell - if your feet are prone to swelling when it's hot, try on sandals towards the end of the day when your feet are at their largest. This means that there’ll be room to comfortably accommodate your foot throughout the rest of the day, leading to a more accurate fit.
3. Be Aware Of Breathability
Breathability is also a big factor for a summer shoe, so go for sandals made of natural materials like leather, which allows for better air flow to your foot than a synthetic material. Also consider the lining - this layer is closest to your foot and can impact the level of airflow coming through. Look for leather sandals that are also leather lined - every habbot shoe features an inner lining of high grade, supple goat leather for long term comfort and to retain the highest level of breathability
4. Get Some Stretch From Leather Sandals
Good quality leather will soften and mould to your foot over time. If the sandal feels firm, wear it in slowly by putting them on around the house for just a couple hours at a time. This allows the leather to open up without the process putting too much strain on your feet or ankles. Some leathers (like patent or embossed leather) will feel firmer on first wear when compared to a softer style and will take a little longer to wear in. Also keep in mind that sandals will only stretch width wise and not length wise, so you make sure your toes start out with enough room to be comfortable.
If the sandal is feeling super tight, or didn’t open up quite as much as you needed, there are leather stretch sprays available, or a reputable cobbler should be able to get you a bit of extra space. However, different sandal styles are designed to accommodate different foot widths and choosing a style that is designed to work for your foot type now will save you from an ill-fitting shoe in the long term.
habbot have a range of quality leather sandals designed for all foot widths:
5. Make The Sandal Work With Your Style
Just like you probably wouldn’t wear thongs to a wedding or strappy heels to the beach, your sandals also carry similar style codes. Sometimes a timeless heel in a dark leather is the perfect choice, or maybe the situation is calling for a brighter, more on-trend casual option.
If you’re buying for an event and are unsure what to go for, consider what the rest of your outfit looks like. Think about colour, silhouette and hem line when picking a sandal to match your clothes. Or maybe you’re thinking of adding an easy go-to pair of summer sandals to your wardrobe? Comfort, style and versatility are going to be your main considerations. Could you also see the sandal being dressed up and dressed down?
Lastly, consider leather type and colour; patent leather is often read as dressier, while calf leather or something with a pattern like leopard print could be more casual. A heel will dress up the sandal, while a slide says effortlessly cool and casual.
6. Not All Leathers Are Made Equal
Leathers come in a range of qualities, so it’s handy to know what to look for when investing in a sandal.
Italian leather is proven to be one of the best on the globe, and calf leather is recognised as the finest material for making top quality footwear. Calfskin leather is thin and has a smooth appearance - it's also waterproof and is better at maintaining its shape. Kid leather is also often used in quality Italian shoemaking. Like calf, the immature goat leather is supple and fine, and especially good for making dress shoes as it can be manipulated to create fine details like narrow sandal straps.
If you want to know more, we answer all your Italian leather questions HERE.
7. Look After The Leather
Quality leather products will retain their finish and last longer with a little love and care. Like your skin, leather is a breathable, absorbent, and porous natural material that benefits the wearer by preventing perspiration and odour causing bacteria. Each leather type benefits from a slightly different care routine. For a full breakdown, head over to the habbot shoe care page HERE.
8. Pick A Best-Seller
Some sandals are cult favourites for a reason! From comfort factor to style versatility, we’ve curated a list of the best habbot sandals for you this summer: