I desperately wanted the black patent Birks from Nordies with the black and white layer sole and soft footbed, but I was too late and missed them. I ordered them from two other places and one place couldn't get them and had to cancel the order while the other advertised them as soft footbed when they were not (and they sent a size too big).

So here I am, still looking for summer sandals. I have narrowed it down to these two pairs. The Birk here does not have a soft footbed, but I can probably live with that. The Donald J Pliner have a slight flatform sole, with some places listing it as 2" with others saying it is 1.5" My main concern is what will look best with harm/track/soft summer pants. Pants in that style will be a summer workhorse for me since I am not fond of my legs in shorts and I find capri pants stumpifying. Will the slightly flatform sole look silly with pants like that? Or are they close enough to flat not to worry about it?

Anyone have Donald J Pliner shoes? I've heard they are comfortable, but have never tried them. Do the Birks or the Pliners look more current, or are they tied? I am just a mess after looking for so long and could use any advice you might have!