All-season sandals? This is indeed a mystery. Hope someone knows the answer!

I have been wondering the same thing. And is it "all-season" as in all of one season (summer) or "all-seasons" as in all 4 seasons? I suspect it is just a marketing ploy to try to convince the consumer that it is reasonable to purchase sandals at the end of the summer. This may work in warmer climates where you can wear sandals in fall but feel the need for more fallish colors and textures. So maybe they just mean summer to fall transition sandals?

I don't know if I'm right, but to me an all season sandal is one that can be worn year 'round.
Like these:
http://www.zappos.com/product/7505073/color/72
http://www.zappos.com/product/7526517/color/72
http://www.zappos.com/product/7554205/color/106
http://www.zappos.com/product/7439171/color/89
(in the deep red color with black tights? Yes please!)
http://www.zappos.com/product/7480584/color/72
Pop on a pair of tights in the winter and there you go. I really want a pair, personally. :)

Like Sarbear I think all year round sandals are for the privelage few who have a driver LOL. The YSL tribute sandal springs to mind. A platform so high you can walk through puddles and not get your tootsies wet http://www.matchesfashion.com/.....ur=leopard

Yes I would definatly say you could wear hose with them but walking any distance should be an olympic sport.

Sarah, I think you got it right. I see all season sandals as ones with more coverage than a few straps so that they can be worn with tights without looking ridiculous.
I have a pair of chunky sandals which might qualify, but I am not sure. What do you ladies think?
http://farm4.static.flickr.com.....f8d9_o.jpg

I'm with Sarah, all-season sandals can be worn in all seasons, meaning with tights. I got this pair of 'em at NAS, and I am trying to work up the nerve to bust them out and wear them. I love high heels, but the angle of the curve of these may not be right for me. But they are AWESOME.

http://lowfatdressing.blogspot.....night.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/k.....732181403/

I agree with Sarah and Danja! To me, they would be primarily high-heeled platform sandals with significant straps. Most of them look to be along cage/gladiator/shootie lines. You could probably get away with a lower heel if you have the same amount of "strappage." If you wear tights that match the shoes, it would be hard to tell whether they were sandals.

Danja -- do your shoes have a back strap? I think they need to have one to qualify as "all season" :)

Cciele, yes, they do have have a back strap. :-) So I guess they are OK for "all seasons then. Now, I need to look for some courage in my closet...

Lovely shoes Kristen and Danja. There is a pair of Clarks that look similar to yours Danja, I'm eyeing those as an all season sandal for myself. Shorter heel, but have a back and thicker straps like that.
If I don't have to run errands, I can walk as little as twenty feet per day (during work outs, obviously I'm more active before and after).

Wow, Sarah, great links to beautiful shoes!

Kristen and Danja, your sandals are stunning!

Also, Danja, I think I somehow missed your pictures before - you are so beautiful!

OK, so I guess we are talking about sandals with quite a lot of straps, a platform and a high heel. I think a classic example would be the famous Prada ombre sandals - Style Spy blogged about them a while back (and also bought them) here: http://style-spy.blogspot.com/.....ction.html

Still, I am puzzled. Isn't it supposed to be wet and quite cold in winter? It doesn't seem practical to wear sandals in winter, even with tights, no? I am guessing that even in such warm winters as we have here, I would freeze my toes if I am outside in sandals and tights for some prolonged period of time.

Are you going to sport this trend, and if yes, during which seasons?

I plan on sporting it in fall and early winter. Especially for evenings out and work, both of which keep me almost entirely out of the elements.
If there was several feet of snow on the ground I would not wear these.

Oh, for me, these are indoor shoes only in the winter; I would wear my boots to work and then switch over to these in the office. But then, I do that with all my shoes in the winter...

I'm with you, Hannah. I think it's a cute look, but not practical for my lifestyle and climate.

I had the same impression as Sarah--basically boots with lots of cutouts. Obviously a lot will depend on the climate you live in. Those would not be the least bit practical here--too hot in summer and too cold in winter.

If ever there is a market for such "all season" sandals, it is where I live - Florida. For the short while that it is cool, tights with those sandals would be perfect. One can wear open-toed shoes here year round. Not that I find that a particularly good or appealing aspect.

I like this look, but why would I want to wear sandals year-round when my favorite footwear is boots? I wait patiently all summer long to pull them out ... in fact I did that yesterday ... it's embarrassing how many pairs of boots I own. One benefit of living in the Midwest is wearing boots six months a year!

Vani, so I guess Florida is even hotter than Israel? I certainly cannot wear sandals during the winter here, even with tights. Maybe I am just being a whiny - the temperature rarely drops below low 40s, but still it doesn't feel like sandals weather to me.

I am mainly confused because I remember there was a consensus once that sandals should not be worn with any kind of hose. In fact, this extended to peep-toes as well (which is a pity, because I just recently acquired two pairs of extremely cute peep-toes, and I really want to wear them with tights as well). Did this change, or is it only ok for a very specific type of sandal? Do peep-toes fall in this category as well?

Maybe I will also ask Angie to chime in ...

Hannah, I think hose worn with open-toe shoes or sandals are a No. Although I've seen fishnets with sandals and they actually look nice. For some reason tights are OK worn with those shoes. I don't get it, and it took me a while to get used to the idea. Now I think it's really cute, and I want to give it a go. And thank you for the compliment. :-)

Danja

Danja, when I said "hose" I didn't mean the transparent kind - I am quite sure it is a "no" no matter what are the shoes. I meant tights mostly, though I am intrigued by your suggestion of fishnets now. Somehow fishnets always feel too sexy to me, you know? Also, I live in the land of uber-casual dressing, fishnets here will just feel like "trying too much".

So, tights - are they a "no" with sandals and peep toes, or are they a "yes" with this particular kind of all-seasons sandals only (which I am having a difficulty to characterize precisely).

I told you I am confused :)

Hannah, I wouldn't say Florida is hotter than Israel per se, there just isn't much variance in temperature regardless of the seasons. This should give you an idea of the average temps in Tampa. You can see how the lowest avg temp is around 55 degrees, with an average high of 70 around the same time. It is only coolest (I wouldn't even say coldest) during the nights and early mornings and steadily rises to 70s by noon. So no, you're absolutely not whiny :-) I'm the one whining about the single season weather here. And I'm with you on the tights + sandals. They would have to mostly closed, chunky sandals for me to consider pairing them with tights.

Hannah, from what I've seen on models and other women, tights are definitely a YES with chunky sandals and peep-toes. I don't know how much longer this trend will be around since it's entering its 2nd or 3rd year, but we are safe for the Fall.

As far as fishnets go, black fishnets are definitely on the sexy side. :-) I wear them under my suit pants and I like that. I have not tried them with the skirt, but I would guess the rest of the outfit would have to be G-rated. The cool things about fishnets it that now you can buy them in different colors, different cutout sizes, etc. Angie suggests wearing flesh-toned fishnets instead of pantyhose and I think it is a brilliant idea.

All-season sandals, to me, are sandals (super strappy comes to mind first because that's what's popular, but also because I think it makes the most sense) that can be worn with tights, leggings, legwarmers, and what have you. I think it's mostly a case of judgment--your hottest two strap spike stilettos probably aren't going to be as appropriate as a sturdier pair. I see the look as being more bold and tough, if that makes sense; something that would be complimented well by studded and/or chain jewelry. As for wearing them through the winter, well, use common sense! In New England, we get gobs of snow that lasts for weeks on end, tons of rain, and even more ice. I do tend to live in boots (at least when I'm not indoors), but that just makes me all the more excited and willing to be fashionably daring on nice sunny days.

For myself, I think I'm going to invest in a few new pairs of bright colored tights (note: tights, as in the thick kind that are made to keep legs warm. Not those flimsy sheer things!) and have fun with it.. at least through November. ;) I got a pair of these Nine West sandals (in black patent) for a wedding a few months ago, that hopefully will work well for this trend: http://www.ninewest.com/Balboa.....?cgid=1053 (Of course, let me know if you think they won't!)

Hannah, I've actually come to love the look of tights with chunky platform sandals and peeptoes- and I think it was because of a poster called Archibald Maximillen. (the academic chic blog has a link) She's gorgeous and has the most beautiful wardrobe- here's a link http://www.flickr.com/photos/34401099@N06/

Anyway- I love all her tights and sandals looks and, while I think I'll probably be pushing the age appropriate boundary, I plan on giving it a go.

Eve, I am drooling over the Nine West sandals you linked to ... We do have Nine West here, but I haven't seen this model. Also, I find Nine West extremely uncomfortable (I am sure it is just my fussy feet), so it is probably not a good idea anyway ...

Vani, it seems like it is hard to distinguish between winter and summer in Florida! We certainly have days above 100 in summer, and in winter sometimes the temperature drops slightly below freezing during the night. Well, Jerusalem can be even a bit colder, but I don't live in Jerusalem.

Danja, I am constantly afraid of looking too sexy :( Also, I do not wear hose under my pants because it is never cold enough for that. So I guess no fishnets for me ...

Sinead, hmmm ... these photos are certainly inspiring. Of course, it doesn't hurt that she is young and gorgeous.

One important thing I understand from this discussion is that sandals need to be dark AND chunky. I think nude sandals will just look funny with tights, right? OK, so I don't own any dark chunky sandals (the one dark brown pair I do own is too delicate to be considered as all-seasons sandals), but I do have two pairs of dark peep toes (one black, one brown). I guess I will try those when the weather cools down enough to think about tights. That is, unless Angie says this trend does not apply to peep toes ...

I am full of admiration for the ladies who are going to wear this trend. I think the important thing to consider when wearing your sandals with tights is to find the right level of contrast so the shoe and tights do not blend. I think the trend will work well with textured tights, fishnets as after 5 mentioned, and also coloured tights (not guaranteed to get Angie's approval).

I will not be rocking this trend for the following reasons:
1) They will not fit into any of capsule wardrobes (MOTG/ smart casual/ semi formal work wear.)
2) My local terrain. Below is a view from my daughter's bedroom window on this very dreak scottish morning
http://s575.photobucket.com/al.....8;newest=1

I am loving that others are willing to give the look a try but for me they will always be car to bar shoes. It is a shame as I would love their leg lengthening benfits.

Hannah, thanks! I've actually found them to be surprisingly comfortable. At least, they only started bothering me by the time I was dancing at the wedding reception, and given that they were on my feet about two hours before the ceremony, which was an hour or so, with a few hours in between.. hey, heels that last 5-6 hours before hurting are keepers in my book.

As for color, I don't think it *has* to be dark (at least, not limited to black, dark brown, grey/gunmetal). I rather like the idea of, say, turquoise or plum colored platform sandals over black tights. But like you said, I'm not sure about nude or light colors working well.

I’m here at HannaC’s request! Btw, I’ve missed you HannaC. Good to see you chime in again.

I think you’re all right and it’s subject to interpretation. Also, remember that when you have central heating and a driver, you can wear sandals in the snow INDOORS at parties. Also, sandals worn with hose *is* a look. Personally, it's not my thing, but it can be done in a stylish way. I’m into boots and not sandals. There is NO WAY I would wear sandals below a certain temperature when I can wear boots. But if you live in a hot climate like Vani, the all season sandal makes perfect sense.

Angie, thanks for the reply!

I am sorry to be absent from the forum lately, I have a lot of deadlines at work, plus we are moving to a new house at the end of the month (which means in a week from now) and it is still in the middle of renovations ... So, in addition to work and kids, we are also very busy with renovations and moving-related things. Most days I don't even have time to read the latest forum threads :( Though I still read the daily blog entry!

Sigh ... sandals with tights certainly look cool, but I guess it is not my cup of tea either. I will try peep-toes though! I never had peep toes in my life, recently acquired two pairs, and I want to wear them as much as possible (the enthusiasm of a neophyte :) ).

Wow, HannaC! You have a lot on your plate at the moment. Good luck and have a safe move.

Lets see those peep-toes in action :0)