Puffy sandals (some retailers refer to them as quilted sandals) have spongey, puffy straps, where the puffiness ranges from subtle to extreme. Some styles are more dressy, dramatic, edgy, and fashion-forward than others. They are an open footwear silhouette that showcases a lot of the foot. Many take the form of a slide, with no back. Puffy sandals are supposed to be quite soft and comfortable, and some offer arch support. Some have a platform heel.
Here are examples.
The idea is to wear puffy sandals like you would a regular pair of casual or dressier sandals or slides, and not think too much about how they affect the outfit. Skirts, dresses, pants, jeans, shorts, jumpsuits, leggings — it’s all good. Here are some examples in the context of an outfit.
Some styles are chunky or very chunky, while others are a lot more refined. They don’t look bulky on the foot when you choose a less puffy and more refined version. But you might like the grounding, tough and dramatic effect of a chunky flatform, which can also add a little height.
I suspect that the puffy sandal is an acquired taste, which is why the trend hasn’t gone mainstream. It’s for those who are more adventurous with their Summer footwear, enjoy wearing all sorts of sandals, and are after something a little different. The slides with the soft footbeds, if they fit and work for your feet, look particularly easy and comfortable. We’ve seen some YLF forum members enjoy the trend and rock the look. Some early adopters took to them like a duck to water last season and haven’t looked back.
Personally, I don’t really wear sandals, and slides are impossible to fit unless they come in a narrow size. They also aren’t great for my urban walking lifestyle. I prefer to wear closed-toe shoes for foot protection. That said, I like the look of puffy sandals. They have a futuristic vibe about them, somehow both jarring and appealing. I vote super cute and fun on someone else!
Over to you. What do you think of the puffy sandal trend?
