Ok, both pairs of sandals have been put through their around-the-house paces, and we have a clear winner! PAIR 1 is my choice on both comfort and aesthetics:
COMFORT: the second pair of sandals (asymmetrical straps, lower platform) are somewhat looser on my feet. The asymmetrical straps here are thus the downfall: my heel tends to slop around from side to side, and when I step often lands halfway off the footbed. Dealbreaker! Sandals 1 (higher platform, crossed straps) are very snug on my feet. The upper is made of a stretchy elastic material and I believe the sandals are intended to fit very closely. The presence of a strap on both sides of my heel holds my foot in place properly. The platform is not flexible, but I find them pretty stable and comfortable to walk in - tested by dashing up and down stairs a few times.
(Interesting side note: sandals 1 are noticeably snugger on my left foot, so when I tried them on I thought , hmm, my left foot must be larger than my right. But then I put on sandals 2 and they are noticeably snugger on my right foot! Ah, the vagaries of manufacturing.)
AESTHETICS: I mentioned being after a “sporty” look in my original post but on further reflection realized that what I was really after was “stompy.” I think this is an integral part of the Girl on the Moors look: floral prints, ethereal layers, rough and ready footwear. Sort of a summer version of my black patent ankle boots. But, for summer I wanted stompy-yet-light. I was not interested in for example those black doc martens fisherman sandals. So, light colored footwear and the higher platform of sandals 1 provides more of that stompy effect (more “oomph,” as JenniNZ put it. Might be different for taller folks, but I’m 5’2” so a little height always feels like oomph to me). Runcarla’s point about the traditional look of the crossed straps vs the modern asymmetrical straps was also clarifying — even though I ultimately went in a different direction, that was a useful framing that I hadn’t thought of before. I realized that I really liked the traditional style done in a modern/untraditional material, that provided the contrast/juxtaposition I was after.
I’ve included a close up pic to try to show the material a little better. Apologies for the lack of pedicure!
Husband noticed me wearing the sandals around the house and commented that they were cute, so that sealed the deal. We have tickets to a photography exhibit for tomorrow morning, so maybe I’ll inaugurate them there if the weather’s not too awful.
Thanks again for helping me think this through!
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