Do wrap sandals stay up?

salt-sea

I like the look of wrap sandals with midi length dresses and skirts, but wonder how practical they are for wearing in reality. Do they stay up, or do the laces fall down? Do you have to tie them uncomfortably tight? Can you walk for 20 minutes in them, or are they more for less movement situations? Any suggestions about what to look for? Thanks!

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1 year ago

Dressing

7 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

April

Veteran

I used to have a pair of Esprit cotton canvas espadrilles that wrapped with ribbons - this was in the '80s - and I think it very much depends on what the laces are made of. A skinny "tube" of stiffer leather will keep untying itself and trip you. If the laces are leather, ideally you want them either very soft or suede, so they sort of flex with your ankle and will hold a bow. The cotton ribbons held a bow but did not flex - not so comfy.

I do think wrap sandals are more for the looks than for the movement, but perhaps someone knows of a style or brand that provides both.

1 year ago

Irina

Veteran

I also had espadrilles with ribbons maybe 20 years ago? Tying them tight made them uncomfortable, too loose and they didn’t stay put. I gave the shoes away after struggling for one season. Skinny leather laces look like it might be issues with them especially in the summer heat with feet swelling. Good look for evening sandals when one doesn’t have to walk far.

1 year ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Well, when I had some tie-wrap espadrilles, they did not stay up — I had to content myself with them wrapping around my ankles and not going up my calves. But I also do have what might be called “cankles” — long calf muscles that extend far down to my ankles so I don’t have terribly shapely legs with a long narrow ankle line. YMMV.

1 year ago

salt-sea

Active Member

thanks April, Irina and Janet. I guess they are for photos more than actual life, at least for me. I'll content myself with other sandals.

Janet, I think calf musculature in general, with its flexing and stretching, is probably incompatible with holding non-stretchy straps in place!

1 year ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I think so too, salt-sea! And I did find myself having to find the sweet spot between tightening the straps to stay in place and them feeling too tight or cutting into my skin. Not comfortable or attractive!

1 year ago

Echo

Veteran

I agree that I've never found a pair that stayed up for any length of time. Still, I have a pair of red shoes with leather wrap laces, and I don't care if they fall down; they're awesome shoes. They're the perfect bright shade of red, they stay on without the laces anyway, and the laces still look like an ankle strap when they fall down, so it's all good.

1 year ago

Joy

Veteran

Wraps that are stretchy usually stay put. Stride swiftly in the store wearing them to see if they stay up. Kept receipt and wear around the house first.

1 year ago

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