Throughout modern history, so-called “comfort” shoes have gotten a bad rap. Begrudgingly purchased out of necessity by nurses, servers, and people with foot conditions; strapped on by sensible, errand-running moms; and stacked high in the closets of our grandmothers, this supportive footwear category prizes functionality over trend-following, and often gets overlooked by we fashion-seeking shoe magpies.
However, the winds of change are blowing. Our feet are growing tired of flesh-biting straps, hard-as-rock footbeds, and weight distribution made uneven by unsupportive heels. Sure, there’s an endless stream of trendy sneakers out there, but sometimes we want more — the elevated visual statement of our favorite of-the-moment shoes paired with the easy wear of, say, a Dansko.
Luckily, several things are at play. Dorkus malorkus footwear is meeting fashion half-way, with brands like Birkenstocks and Clarks revamping tried-and-true lasts in need-it-now colorways. In addition to this, a new crop of comfort luxury brands have popped up, offering sleek, high-end styling with the same kind of engineering that used to be the sole (ha!) specialty of the comfort brands. There's also the endless wave of divisive granny and dad styles that continue to parade down designer runways, embraced by fashion people who love a good ugly shoe. We’ve included a mix of all here, because our greatest priority is helping you maintain a balance of comfort and style at all times, no matter where it’s coming from.
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We adore the striped summery brilliance of these Comfortview slides, which come in extended sizes and widths to accommodate feet of all shapes and sizes. They’re also equipped with a padded footbed and skid-resistant soles, so that your walkabout is a safe and comfortable one.
Comfortview® The Reese Footbed Sandal, $, available at AmazonThe clog auteurs at Dankso offer so much more than the gardener mainstay that they’re known for. These retro-inspired wedges come with a moisture-wicking lining and a foam-cushioned midsole, and The Walking Company recommends them for plantar fasciitis support.
Dansko Sophie, $, available at The Walking CompanyWe recently reported on the resurgence of the Teva-style sandal and its irresistibly Dad-like charm, and this technical shoe from Danish brand Ecco is giving us street style vibes in a major way. Its unique, cushioning support technology will make it easy to pound the pavement all day.
Ecco EXOWRAP 3S VELCRO Sandals, $, available at EccoAerosoles’ long-engineered comfort technology — impact-absorbing diamond pattern soles, memory foam footbed, and a heel cradle for extra support — makes these wild mules a summertime no-brainer.
Aerosoles Platinum East Coast Mule, $, available at WalmartSofft’s Breeze sandal feels as good as it sounds, boasting a cushioned footbed and a leather lining to prevent blisters. And these classic black leather slip-ons are a wardrobe staple we love.
Sofft Somers Slip-On, $, available at ZapposWith a stabilizing heel seat and ball-of-foot cushioning, many of Vionic’s styles have the American Podiatric Medical Association seal of approval. With so many spring-friendly, on-trend styles, they’ve got our seal of approval, too.
Vionic Jolene Bootie, $, available at AmazonFor some, the word “Croc” conjures a fleet of tank-like foam clogs in a Skittles-hued array of colors — not exactly the kind of footwear you’d choose for a fashionable outing. However, this functional brand has evolved, and they now offer a range of styles appropriate for wear outside of the home — all with the lightweight, flexible comfort that they’re known for.
Crocs Tulum Sandal, $, available at CrocsKork-Ease got its start in the 1950s by pioneering the cork wedge sandal. Its platform reached the apex of popularity in the '70s, but the company is still making spot-on retro sandals outfitted with foam-cushioned soles.
Kork Ease San Carlos, $, available at Kork EaseThe buzzed-about former podiatrist Marion Parke outfits her high-end, Italian-made shoes with medical-grade foam insoles, for the ultimate combination of comfort and luxury.
Marion Parke Cyrus Slides, $, available at ShopbopThese casual canvas sneakers by VenusCelia have an average of 4.2 out of 5 stars and 692 ratings on Amazon. Extra points for the fact that they'll cost ya less than $20.
VenusCelia Canvas Lace Up Sneaker, $, available at AmazonIt’s official: Clarks’ easy-wearing Wallabees have reached icon status. While we’re probably all more familiar with the timeless browns and tans that our dads wore, we are definitely snagging this sleek black version to pair with pretty much everything.
Clarks Wallabee Black Suede, $, available at ClarksThere’s nothing like a classic pair of clogs to take you through the rest of the summer — especially when the soles are rubberized for traction. These wear-anywhere shoe also come equipped with a soft, microfiber-lined footbed that’s cushioned for a seriously comfy walking experience.
Propet Washable Walker Slide, $, available at ZapposBlend in at the Echo Park Craft Fair with these sunny Born slides — a reviewer called them “the most comfortable shoes I have ever owned.” A multi-layer foam cushion will have you trend-setting sans achy feet.
Born Trang Slip-On, $, available at BornChannel the '70s in these elevated Naturalizer platforms, equipped with the brand’s signature top-notch, arch-supportive cushioning and unique heel cup.
Naturalizer Patience Espadrille Sandal, $, available at NaturalizerTaryn Rose was an orthopedic surgeon prior to founding her shoe brand. Molded insoles, patented shock absorption, and the croc-embossed leather of this black, chunky sandal makes it the perfect spring-to-summer transitional shoe.
Taryn Rose Lydia Metallic Nappa Flat Sandal, $, available at AmazonThe Mallorca, Spain-based footwear brand Camper is known for its comfortable walking shoes and stylish design. Dancing the night away will not be an issue at future weddings, thanks to these cream-colored (and totally chic) block heels.
Camper Upright 60mm Leather Sandals, $, available at FarfetchWe don’t need to tell you that Birkenstock is on fire right now — the comfort-shoe manufacturer shows no signs of stopping after 245 years (!) of making footwear. Thanks to collaborations with high-falutin’ brands like Opening Ceremony and Rick Owens, you have more options than ever, but our summer pick are these under-$100 off-white thongs with — get ready for it — 2,611 reviews.
Birkenstock Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor™, $, available at ZapposA cushioned footbed and glove-like leather construction make these under-$30 slip-ons perfect for running errands or lounging around the house.
SUNROLAN Leather Comfort Fit Ballet Flats, $, available at AmazonThe avant-garde je ne sais quoi of these Spring Step slippers make them a perfect complement to any Comme- or Margiela-heavy lewk. The “tender” designation is accurate — a cushioned sole and flexible fabric upper will make any tired or swollen feet happy.
Spring Step Tender Loafer, $, available at AmazonWalking Cradles name says it all — they call their signature cushioned footbed “tiny pillows”. The sleek back fabric and easy-to-wear styling of this low heel will take you from work to the weekend without missing a beat.
Mid-summer style is always a hassle. The weather is too hot and too humid to wear any fabric that might stick to your skin. But Katie Holmes has an outfit ready to battle the tricky July weather should you need to go outside.
On Thursday, the Dawson’s Creek actress was spotted in New York City wearing a tank top with a bib collar in hot pink — a top color trend this season! — and a pair of navy blue sweatpants, paired with black Birkenstock sandals. She carried all her essentials in a tote bag from New York’s popular indie bookstore McNally Jackson.
Ever the Y2K star, Holmes opted to wear her sweatpants in a low-rise look, keeping up with the summer revival of the controversial trend. The rumors of a low-rise jeans comeback have circled for a while with celebs like Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Emily Ratajkowski giving the look their stamp of approval over the past few months.
Holmes’ athleisure ensemble also features another big summer trend: ugly shoes. The year of quarantine gave way to the rise of clogs and sandals, with names like Crocs, Birkenstock, and Teva coming on top. Not only have they gained popularity with comfort-seeking shoppers, but the brands’ successes have also scored them collabs with designers and celebs like Christian Cowan, Jil Sander, Bad Bunny, and Justin Bieber. Although, some people (ahem, Victoria Beckham) would “rather die” than wear a pair of rubber clogs.
Do you or a loved one suffer from closet overchoice, or having a rough time making decisions because you've got too many options? Symptoms may include irritation, confusion as you stare at your bulging wardrobe, and being so chronically late that your friends have begun giving you separate meet-up times.
While the Silicon Valley solution to this is wearing the same black hoodie and dad sneakers daily, who wants to take it to such an extreme? That's why we're proposing a lite version, otherwise known as capsule dressing. Step 1: Zero in on a handful of pieces you absolutely love. Step 2: Rotate, finesse, and style until the wheels fall off. To give you an example, we've partnered with Macy's to present content creator Anitra Pearson’s capsule, made up of just four excellent pieces. Because when it comes down to it, that's really all you need for an overchoice-proof summer.
The Stand-Out-In-A-Crowd Dress
You might be questioning why we've included an item this memorable, but summer logic dictates that fewer clothes = fewer opportunities to flex. And with this ultra-flattering maxi in a juicy lime, you'll definitely stick around in any passerby's mind. Play with accessories and makeup in complementary colors — you might find that this shade goes with way more than you previously thought.
INC International Concepts Cotton Smocked-Waist Midi Dress, $, available at Macy's
INC International Concepts Gold-Tone Multicolor Flower Drop Earrings, $, available at Macy's
MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour, $, available at Macy's
INC International Concepts Cotton Smocked-Waist Midi Dress, $, available at Macy's
INC International Concepts Gold-Tone Multicolor Flower Drop Earrings, $, available at Macy's
MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour, $, available at Macy'sThe Trophy Top & "I Want To Wear This All The Time" Skirt
You know when you buy something that's not necessarily highly "matchable" but you end up wearing it a million different ways anyway? This is that, two times over. A square-neck top can go with just about any bottom you throw at it (the ditsy print is small enough not to interfere with other patterns), while a flirty eyelet skirt can support throwaway T-shirts and button-ups and tops with texture, e.g., ruffles.
1 STATE Smocked Square-Neck Blouse, $, available at Macy's
Misa Hylton for INC Eyelet Skirt, $, available at Macy's
MAC 2-Pc. A Kiss Of Whirl Matte Lip Set, $, available at Macy'sThe Well-Ventilated Dress
Looking cool and staying cool in the summer don't have to be mutually exclusive. With this cutout dress, Niagara Falls running down your back won't be an issue. To keep your subsequent looks featuring this frock similarly fresh, use the abstract print to mix in other monochromatic prints like the polka-dot shoe here, or bring in any color you like.
INC International Concepts Printed Puff-Sleeve Cutout Dress, $, available at Macy's
On Thursday, after photos of Beyoncé and Jay Z having lunch in Brooklyn were released, Twitter blew up, and not just because of the Beyoncé and Jay Z spotting. Rather, it was Beyoncé’s bag that had people talking. For the occasion, the Lemonade singer wore a white button-down shirt tied up Britney Spears-style with floral, wide-leg pants from Christopher John Rogers, and — drum roll please — a white Telfar shopping bag.
Given how tricky it was to score a Telfar bag even before it was Beyoncé-approved — the bag drops sell out almost instantly (sometimes because of bots) — many feared that now that it had her stamp of approval, they’d never get their hands on the tote. “Welp. If you haven’t ordered a Telfar bag yet, you can kiss that dream goodbye,” tweeted @DaShaunLH. @Freedddem wrote, “Beyonce? With a Telfar? Oh it’s over. Yall will never get one.” Meanwhile, @overdramatique tweeted, “Love this for Telfar, hate this for the future of that site and my own collection.”
Others on Twitter aired fears that the affordable price of Telfar’s shopping bags would soon increase. “Beyoncé just rose the price of Telfar bags. if you couldn’t get one before you damn sure ain’t getting one now,” wrote @fvckdrvco.
Telfar was quick to quell the rumors floating around on the social media platform, where the brand’s name was trending for the better part of Thursday night. “Price not changing,” read a post on the brand’s Instagram stories, followed by bumblebee emojis, a reference to Beyoncé. “Not for you — for everyone.” And just like that, hope for Telfar shoppers was restored.
Whether or not that feeling of hope will last past next week’s lavender shopping bag drop, which will take place on Tuesday, July 13 at 9AM EST on shop.telfar.net, is yet to be determined. Let the odds be ever in your favor.
See the Twitter reactions, below.
Tryna get a telfar bag is like the hunger games at this point
— HOOD VOGUE is tired of poverty (@itskeyon) July 8, 2021
