With warm weather and clear skies, nothing quite beats slipping on a pair of chic sandals and enjoying the boardwalk, lounging on the beach, or just getting out on the town and showing off a bit of tropical flare.
However, certain types of sandals for ladies can enhance your comfort and your outfit far more than others. Even more so, different types fit different situations, and you can’t just rely on one pair for everything.
Today, we will go over all the types of sandals for women that keep your feet comfy during your sunny retreats and make your perfect manicure stand out.
Let’s get started.
7 Most Popular Sandals for Women
There are countless sandal styles for women, and they all offer something that you might like, but if we were to break down all the styles into main popular groups that serve almost every occasion and preference, there would be 7.
We’ll dive deep into each style, exploring their best features, what to expect, and so much more. Whether you're strolling along the beach or heading out on a special date, you'll find the perfect pair of sandals to complement your every step.
1: T-Strap Sandals
T-strap sandals offer a few advantages that other styles simply can’t. This makes them a favorite among a wide variety of women around the world, and in many cases, they might be the best option.
“T-strap” sandals are easily identified by a central strap poking up between the big toe and the second toe like a thong, but instead of going over the top of the foot, that strap runs to the ankle and connects to another strap.
The second strap wraps around the ankle, and it might connect to the heel of the shoe on either side, or it might not. At the front of the ankle, the straps combine and make a T shape. That’s where the name comes from.
The main functional advantage of these is that the sandal is wrapped around the ankle. It’s not coming off.
While these might not be your first choice for a marathon or a cliffside adventure, they do offer a blend of style and comfort for those more active moments. Think beach days with a bit of volleyball, strolls on a city night out with the ladies, and other occasions where you want to stay on the move while looking effortlessly chic.
The cross-section of the “T” makes a higher level of activity a little more bearable without your sandals constantly sliding off or causing problems. So, you get a bit more freedom.
There’s also the unique visual appeal of T-strap sandals. They gently wrap around your ankle, and with the right details, they can add a little bling to a part of your body that garners attention but isn’t typically decked out to the gills.
In most cases, T-strap sandals are going to give you more than just style. They’re more functional. However, if you’re looking for something you can slide in and out of with ease, T-strap sandals won’t fit that situation.
At Key West Sandal Factory, we strive to ensure that all of our T-strap sandals are made with natural beauty in mind, the reliability you need when you’re on the move, and the highest quality materials so you love them for years to come.
2: Wide Strap Flip Flops
Wide strap flip flops combine comfort and ease of wear like few other options.
These are typically your normal thong flip flops with a central strap point between your big toe and your second toe, but the straps running across the top of the foot are much wider than they traditionally are.
Sometimes, you might find heels on these sandals, but the flip flop version is a lot more common.
There are a few occasions where these are optimal.
First and foremost, if you plan to kick your shoes off and enjoy yourself in a natural sense for a bit, but you still need a reasonable level of reliability, these are the right choice.
You can slip right in and out of them at a moment’s notice, but because the strap provides better support, you can also expect them to hang on better throughout a lot of walking, and the added surface area means they won’t dig into your feet.
These aren’t quite as elegant as other sandals for women, but they can still be attractively designed while maintaining their practical nature.
For most, these are casual sandals. They’re what you wear when you want to enjoy a tropical sunset and not feel uncomfortable when you have to walk to the cabana.
3: Thin Strap Sandals
Thin strap sandals are similar to the wide strap sandals we talked about previously, but they have a sense of elegance that you’re going to need for certain situations.
First, thin strap sandals are lighter than air and barely feel like you have anything on. They’re the closest you’re getting to barefoot in the warm summer sand.
However, that’s not their main purpose. Their elegance leans heavily toward a date-night show that you wear while you go out for cocktails at the cabana or enjoy a sweet evening outdoors with the waves.
They’re not heavy, they look as light as they feel, and the thin straps make them a bit more suitable for pairing with your beachwear.
This does come with disadvantages, though.
That elegance also means they’ll slide on and off more easily, and they aren’t very suitable for active periods. If you plan on being active, like joining in on a spontaneous beach volleyball game, you’ll need to slide out of them and go all natural.
With that being said, we highlight the elegant nature of thin-strapped sandals for women with materials that match the atmosphere of Key West.
4: Jelly Sandals
Jelly sandals are unique, and they’re the epitome of “casual”.
Jelly sandals are made of synthetic materials. Typically, they’re rubbery and squishy. Because they’re made of a variety of synthetic materials, they’re available in nearly all colors, and they tend to be extremely comfortable.
In the vast majority of situations, they tend to be more function before form. They’re not shoes you want to wear on a big date night or night out with the girls, and they’re usually not great for walking on the beach due to their thicker soles. They feel heavier when you’re walking on sand and enjoying a tropical night.
However, they’re not optimal if you’re going to be walking for long periods, and there are longevity issues because they break down quickly if you’re constantly wearing them.
These are casual sandals for women, and they’re meant to make you comfortable when you need it most. If you’re in a more formal situation, another pair that we’ve covered previously will be a better option.
5: Stiletto Sandals
If you’re looking for sexy incarnate for a big date night, and you don’t mind a bit of discomfort, stiletto sandals are for you.
Stiletto sandals are similar to thin-strap sandals. They almost always have a bunch more straps on them than just the thong, though.
The main difference is that the heel of the sandal is elevated on a spike-like platform.
There are some concerns with these that you need to consider.
First, they’re not very comfortable unless you wear them in very casual situations. You can’t run around in them, and they tend to pick up dirt very easily.
However, these sandals are perfect for a relaxed day of lounging, a quick grocery run, or any casual outing where comfort takes precedence over being the epitome of style.
They're all about effortless ease for those low-key moments when you still want to look cute without trying too hard.
6: Woven Sandals
Woven sandals can be a mix of any of the first three sandal types we talked about. The primary feature is that their base is woven from natural materials and very thick.
Functionally, they’re extremely comfortable, and since the soles are thick, they can add an inch or two to your height. That depends on the specific sandal, though.
Overall, these are usually more function-based shoes. They’re better suited to walking for long periods on poor surfaces, but they’re not the most elegant shoes if you’re going for that vibe.
7: Platform Sandals
If you liked the idea of the stiletto sandals we mentioned, but you’re not quite graceful enough to walk around in those, platform sandals are a great option.
Platform sandals are designed the same way, but instead of a spiked platform on the heel, they have a normal heel that’s a lot taller than normal. This gives you stability.
These are great for more sophisticated events, but they’re horrible for nights on the beach or living a tropical lifestyle.
Try Key West Sandals Today
At Key West Sandal Factory, we aim to bring you the best types of women’s sandals possible for you to look and feel your best regardless of your style.
If you’re looking for a new pair of leather sandals to show off your perfect pedicure and feel great about it, check out Key West Sandals today.