Salt Water sandals: yay or nay? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Dressing

Salt Water sandals: yay or nay?

Maya

Veteran

I am seeing at least one pair of these a day on the streets lately and wondered what the YLF consensus is. On their own they wouldn't really have much appeal. I mean, I would not be attracted to them if I saw them in a store window or anything. But on a pair of feet with the right outfit I think they are cute. I did not wear these as a child and hadn't even heard of them until now so I have no associations or nostalgia for them.

However I'm seeing some mixed messages about them:

http://nymag.com/shopping/features/40266/
http://latimesblogs.latimes.co.....35-sa.html

Since they were featured in another fashion blog I like, and validated by a stylish gal who does NOT have fussy feet (meaning she is wearing them for looks as much as comfort), I am voting yay. I think the NY magazine author is insane for putting them in the same league as Crocs and Uggs. Even if I didn't care for them I don't think they're quite THAT bad...

You?

Dressing

26 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

Meh, not a fan. Too childish for me. And, now days, too flat. I need arch support! I'd rather wear my nude patent cuffed gladiators if I'm going to go the super flat route!

MsMary

Veteran

Oh, wow! I'm having a flashback!

I'm almost certain I bought Salt Water Sandals for my son when he was a toddler!

Crazy, man!

I would totally wear those -- I've always worn sandals of a fairly similar style and I think they're cute in the colors in Maya's links!

rae

(website)

Veteran

They are too flat for me personally, but I don't hate them. And I disagree with the NY magazine, too, as I happen to have a pair of Worishofer sandals that always get compliments. I wore them to the last LA YLF meetup, in fact! I also happen to like Doc Martens, so boo on this Sarah Bernard person.

rosee

Veteran

I used to have those! I would do them again too... especially for $35.
Sad realization, I have or have had 4 of the ugly shoes on that link (clogs, docs, tevas and salt waters). Pooh to them, I have happy feet!

Diana

Veteran

I think these are cute, as you say, in the right context. I could see them in a cute color with a little sundress or flirty short shorts. But on the other hand if they are worn with mom shorts and a big baggy tee, that's a whole different story.

Personally, I think they do not look comfortable at all, though - way too flat, absolutely no arch support, and honestly the straps look like they would be stiff and irritating as they are built for durability not comfort.

Scarlet

Veteran

I haven't seen those till now, but I actually think they are pretty cute. The only thing is I am not sure how they look from the top-down because the sole of the kid version seems to extend far beyond the straps. That could be a little weird on an adult. Now I am wondering how leather can stand up to salt water. It seems like it would make the leather dried out and hard.

yellowgirl

I've never even heard of Salt Water Sandals before. I don't think they're that bad looking, but they certainly don't look comfortable to me.

Queen Mum

Veteran

ha- I remember buying the payless version of those for those all the time for my kids.
Personally, I"m 0 for 0.. I've never owned any of the shoes posted in Maya's first link.

I have to agree with you Maya.. I don't think they belong in the same "what were we thinking" club with crocs and uggs. They look like they have potential on the right gal with the right outfit.

Jonesy

Veteran

I have a red pair. I wanted some bright, comfortable sandals for casual wear, and didn't want to pay a lot...so there you go! They are indeed comfortable. So I guess I'm in the Yay camp.

Queen Mum

Veteran

Jonesy.. according to the blog Maya linked they are guaranteed "the most comfortable shoe you've ever worn"
Do you attest to this?

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I think they are cuter than crocs, that's for sure. I wore the Worishofer sandals years ago for my first waitressing job in Germany! Germans are expert comfort (ugly) shoe makers. Comfort is a beautiful thing. I am surprised Shape-Ups didn't make the ugly shoe list.

Jonesy

Veteran

No, I would not say that, Queen Mum, but they are comfortable ;)! The inside of the straps is a soft, suede-like material, so the straps don't rub at all, and the fit is good.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You could have guessed it would be a yay from me. It's all in HOW you wear them.

MNsara

Veteran

Maya - yes, yes, yes! I think they are quintessentially summery in how fun and casual they look.

We used to buy brown versions of them for my kids (called them fisherman sandals - MN is too far from an ocean to worry about salt water?), but those colors are so fun!

I think they would look especially cute on you 20-somethings and you could easily wear them. I think I would have to work harder to pull it off, but I am intrigued . . .

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I'm surprised to find I really like them, I would buy them now before they double the price....have you seen the price of cons and dunlops these days *shaking fist at market forces*?

Steph

Veteran

So obviously I wouldn't wear them :), but I thought that they looked cute in the photo of them in the second link, when they were being worn by the model.

I absolutely LOVED the first line of that NY Mag article: Every few years, tastemakers mysteriously embrace some comfortable but undeniably ugly footwear more typically associated with river-rafting potheads or line cooks.

Maya

Veteran

Oh, validation from Steph. That's worth a lot

Yeah, I agree with their other options, but honestly I would have swapped out the SW sandals for Toms ::ducks::

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Not for me. My narrow feet don't agree with that shape at all -- I feel like I'm putting on flippers when I try on anything shaped like these.

Anonymous

Yay from me. Non-gear looking footwear in fun colors that can be worn at the beach? Yay!!!

judy

Veteran

Big yay from me. I read about them on someone's blog too and loved the look of them and then forgot all about them, so thanks for the reminder. They might actually work for my fussy feet!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

A cautious yay from me; I don't think I'd wear them myself, but they could look cute on other people

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

Given how hot and humid and lonnnnnnng summer is where I live, I think these are great. They offer a summer sandal with some support and lots of ventilation. Yay from me!

Kari

Veteran

I don't think they are inherently ugly shoes at all - an entirely different animal from Crocs. As long as the outfit was not styled in a way that screams "little girl", I think they could look fantastic on you.
(I totally had similar sandals when I was a kid.)

Marley

Veteran

Haven't seem them - but like them in the pics. I would definitely wear these if they were comfy - they don't come even close to the Ugliness factor of Crocs.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I've never seen these in person but they certainly look cute to me. I would give them a try. They look like they would fit my fat little feet.

rachylou

Veteran

I wore salt waters when I was little. I liked them. They're pretty ugly, I think that has to be said, but in a beau laid kinda way. So I say yes, if you're a person with stage presence.