Wearing socks on a hot summer day is not exactly enticing, but the thought of exposing my feet to the world in a sandal is an even scarier thought. I hate my toes! A foot fetishist, I am not; I’d rather sweat in a thick wool sock than ride the New York City subway with my dogs out. Don’t get me wrong: I love sandals for a casual off-duty moment. The right style can be both chic and streamlined. But open-toe sandals aren’t exactly conducive for a busy on-the-go lifestyle in the city—nor are they super office-appropriate. So, what exactly is one to do?
Luckily, there’s a trending shoe that’s the perfect hybrid between a sandal and a dress shoe: The fisherman sandal. Seen on the spring 2024 runways at Loewe, Hermès, and The Row, the fisherman sandal is like a breezier dress shoe—a non-sandal sandal, if you will. They come in sleek leathers and cover the most of your foot, yet have discrete cutouts that make them somewhat airy. Gwyneth Paltrow, Katie Holmes, and Justin Bieber have all recently sported the footwear.
What I love most about fisherman sandals, though, is the toe coverage. The closed-toe construction makes them feel a little more formal—as though you are heading to an important business meeting, not the beach. And styling-wise, they give any summery outfit an added oomph. Holme’s denim shorts and dress shirt are instantly refined with the addition of my new favorite shoe.
As a sandal skeptic, I’m surprisingly sold on the updated fisherman shape, and suddenly inspired to let my bare feet run wild. (Who would have thought?) I’m currently eyeing a delicious suede pair by The Row that maybe, just maybe, you’ll see me rocking sometime in the office soon soon. Bye, bye, socks!
