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The tourist sandal is this season’s update to the ugly sneaker


By Freya Drohan
28th Mar 2019
The tourist sandal is this season’s update to the ugly sneaker

Freya Drohan is an Irish fashion and lifestyle writer based in New York. Here, she guides us into the world of the ‘ugly’ tourist sandal — and how to make it work for SS19.


Perhaps the only thing more divisive than the so-called ‘tourist sandal’ trend, is actually calling it ugly: but I guess a fashion phenomenon like this is nothing if not self-deprecating.

The sudden prevalence of chunky sneakers definitely ignited a “WHAT ARE THOSE” response from the uninitiated, but the shoe trend inspired by Raf Simons’ redesign of the Adidas Ozweego (back in 2013) and popularised by the Balenciaga Triple S (since 2017) remains as prevalent right now as the minimalist Stan Smiths that dominated before it.

With so many copycat offerings available and orthopaedic-looking soles coming at us on every street, it’s bound to cause those who initially sought out the trend to differentiate themselves. Enter: the tourist sandal — a burgeoning micro-trend that shows no sign of disappearing anytime soon.

If you’re inclined to follow a certain aesthetic on Instagram, you may have noticed the likes of Alexa Chung, Emily Weiss (founder of Glossier) and emerging style star Monikh nonchalantly rocking their black, velcro-strap Chanel footbeds for a while now. So too has the new-season Prada rubber sole equivalent skyrocketed in popularity, as spotted on tastemakers like Lucy Williams.

Birkenstocks, and even Crocs, have had surprising, non-ironic comebacks in recent years, and now the humble Teva is enjoying a resurgence. The OG multi-purposeful sport sandal, invented in Arizona in the mid-1980s, or at least the idea of it, has been utilised in collections at Louis Vuitton, Marni, Anna Sui, Tome, AREA and Sandy Liang.

Credit: Teva

 

In the mood to keep your podiatrist happy? Look no further than this functional-meets-fashionable footwear trend. Whether you’re in the mood to spend or save; go supersize or simple with the soles; there are a multitude of ways to work this trend into your spring summer wardrobe.

 

Sporty Chunky Flat Sandals by Truffle Collection, €35.95 from ASOS.com

 

Universal White Pattern Sandals by Teva, €55 from UrbanOutfitters.com

 

Trekky Leopard, €115 from FurDeluxe.store

 

Puffed Shape Flat Sandals, €320 from Nanuskha.com

 

Clarissa II Pink Gladiator Sandals by Dr. Martens, €175 from UrbanOutfitters.com

 

Logo Leather Canvas Sandals by Prada, €450 from NetAPorter.com
Sonnie Utility Sandals by Chloé, €495 from FarFetch.com
Sport Platform Sandals, €39.95 from Zara.com

 

 

Tweed & Lambskin Sandals, approx €1,040 from Chanel
Sneak-Elyse Platform Sandal by Stella McCartney, €420 from MyTheresa.com