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Summer shoes

There is nothing better than a pair of open, airy shoes to feel the gentle summer breeze on your toes.

When it's hot outside, you want your feet to be able to breathe freely and not be stuck inside a closed 'box'. Open shoe styles, easy to put on and take off are the best kinds of shoe for summer.

Luckily, there is a wide variety of summer shoes available for any occasion - from casual to formal.

Types of Summer Shoes

Flip Flops

Flip Flops Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Flip flops are the ultimate summer shoe. Consisting of a flat sole with a plastic toe support between the biggest toe and the other toes, they are most often made from rubber which makes them easily foldable and easy to carry in your beach bag. More premium flip flops can also be made out of leather or with a wooden sole.

Very basic flip flop styles have simple plastic straps, but they could also be pretty woven leather straps and finished with gems for some extra sparkle.

Flip flops are extremely versatile and come in a range of patterns and colours to match them to your swimwear or outfit. They are very casual in style and hence perfect for pool parties, beaches, and hot hangouts.

Jelly Shoes

Jelly Shoes Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Jelly shoes or jellies are named after the material they are made of: PVC rubber - a semi-transparent material which looks like jelly.Due to their affordability, these shoes became a fad in the early 1980s. Despite their name, jelly shoes used to be quite hard and could become uncomfortable with extended wear.

Since then jelly shoes have come a long way and are not only more comfy, but also come in a large variety of colours and even glitter. There is also an array of styles available - such as flats, heels and wedges.

Thanks to the wide selection of styles, jelly shoes are very versatile and perfect for any casual outfit.

Sliders

Sliders Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Backless and open-toed, sliders include a single strap or a sequence of straps across the toes and the lower half of the foot to hold the shoe on the foot.

The name actually comes from the fact that this shoe is easy to 'slide' on and off the foot. Sliders can be traced back to Ancient Rome but they only gained popularity in the late 1960s.

Known for their sporty look, sliders are mostly practical and casual, perfect for a day at the beach or pool or for summer barbecues. However, high fashion designer houses have incorporated sliders into their collections; meaning you will find very fashionable designs, ranging from feathers over floral to faux fur and regal pearls.

Flat Sandals

Sandals Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

One of the oldest shoe styles in history, flat sandals are open shoes, consisting of a sole held to the foot by straps going over the instep and around the ankle.

They are perfect if you want a casual, relaxed look and come in lots of different style and colour options. Opt for a neutral colour such as black or tan to integrate them into your outfit. Otherwise, metallics are a great option to jazz things up and add focus to your outfit, and embellished flat sandals are ideal for making a style statement.

Heeled Sandals

Heeled Sandals Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Similar in design to flat sandals, heeled sandals - as the name suggests - are not flat. The heel can range from kitten to stiletto in heel height.

Heeled sandals can have any form of style: platforms, slingbacks, strappy, ankle straps, wedges etc.

Thanks to the many variations, heeled sandals can be worn with casual outfits, but can also polish off a more formal look.

Espadrilles

Espadrilles Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Espadrilles are flat, closed-toed and closed-back shoes, typically made out of canvas with a jute or rope sole.

They were originally Spanish and French peasant footwear, and became a more popular fashion style when they were depicted in several American films - one of them Miami Vice.

Espadrilles are the perfect lazy summer shoe, great for a stroll around town.

Espadrille Wedges

Wedge shaped espadrilles - or Castañer wedges, are a high-heeled version of the flat espadrille.They were introduced to the fashion world by French designer Yves Saint Laurent. In 1970, he met Spanish espadrille manufacturer Castañer at a trade fair in Paris and they worked together to produce Saint Laurent's designs.

Slightly more sophisticated than the flat espadrille, this shoe works well with summer dresses.

Gladiators

Gladiators Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Gladiator sandals are open-toed with multiple straps made to resemble that of a Roman soldier's footwear. A T-bar runs down the front of the shoe.

The straps can cover just the ankle or can go as high as the knee. Classic colours for this sandal are black and brown but many more are available.

Unlike their appearance might suggest, gladiator sandals are not just for casual outfits. Some styles are quite dressy and can look very elegant.

Clogs

Clogs Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Clog shoes are rounded shoes made entirely or partially out of wood.

They traditionally served as protective footwear for mines, factories, and agricultural activities, but made their way into the fashion world in the 1970s and 1980s. Especially Swedish clogs became popular footwear.

Despite their chunky appearance, clogs are quite versatile. Wear them with anything from a white cotton frock, to button-down and trousers, or a pair of blue jeans.

Mules

Mules Summer Shoes - the concept wardrobe

Originally worn as bedroom slippers, mules are backless, closed-off from the front and open from the back. They are available in different heel heights - from flat to high.The flat version of the mule might appear quite similar to slide-ins, but mules are more elegantly sculpted from the front.Mules are extremely comfortable and easy slip on and off. They lend ample support to the toes and keep them together while showing off the heels.

Though they can definitely be worn with casual outfits, they can also lend elegance to a more dressy outfit.

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