Thong-style sandals - YouLookFab Forum

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Thong-style sandals

Gigi

Veteran

ETA: Thanks for Manidipa for correcting the term I was using...I said "T-strap" but should have said "thong-style." :^)

What are people's thoughts on thong-style sandals (sandals that have the piece of leather between the big toe and the second toe)? They seem to be everywhere, though I have never worn one. Before I go and order a rash of sandals online, I thought I would find out if the little thong thingie bothers anyone much, or if it's something people get used to. Are there any pros or cons associated with it?

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Sveta

Neel

Veteran

I have t-strap ballet style flats. Unfortunately anything between my toes always bothers me a wee bit. But that's just me!

ManidipaM

Veteran

you mean thong styles and not t straps... those go from an ankle strap to the front of the shoe down the vamp.

I find them painful and frequently blister-inducing in many many styles. look for VERY soft leather and the strap should be flat sideways between the toes, not rounded or in any way seamed. also make sure there's adequate length so they don't actually lie against the soft webbing between your toes. look also at how the thong inserts into the sole... no poky bits coming out and no stitching to rub against your own soles.

Aziraphale

Veteran

Love them! I call them thong sandals. I find them very comfy and consider them to be among the more elegant styles of summer footwear. I like thong flip-flops too, although those are far more casual.

I know many people don't love the thong bit that goes between your toes, though. In terms of comfort, you either love them or hate them.

carter

Veteran

I wear them almost every day. I don't even notice the strap. The ones that get me have the toe ring thing. I find those not so comfy.

Gigi

Veteran

Neel, thanks for the input!

Manidipa, thanks for giving me the right wording. I fixed the title of my post. :^) And thanks much for all the advice! I had no idea there could be so many variables.

AZ, I too think they look very elegant, which is why I'm thinking about trying them this year. :^)

Carter, it's good to know that you don't even notice the thong thing after a while. Maybe if you get a well-constructed sandal, it's not too noticeable. I've never worn a toe-ring one. I've only worn regular sandals my whole life. Tried a cheap pair of flip-flops last year and hated them. But I write that off becuase they were only $2 at WalMart, and what can you expect for $2? They were probably the worst of the worst...a really spongy footbed, so I kept feeling like I was falling backward.

I suppose Mo will chime in here eventually! I imagine she wears a ton of thong sandals.

rachylou

Veteran

I wear them very very rarely and usually regret it. I have Pea Princess fit. I almost always get a blister.

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Ironically, I just posted about some new (and on sale) thong sandals that I'm loving. http://www.payless.com/womens-.....20060.html They have a smooth cork sole, a stretch gore on one side of the arch strap and a heel strap.
I've always worn thongs and mostly been OK, but have occasionally encountered rough stitching or sharp edges on the thong bit. Be careful of that. I've never understood why manufacturers put tags, badges, stitching etc. on the sole of a shoe, for crying out loud. Seriously, right under the heel. Fool me once, but never again!

MsMary

Veteran

I love them. In fact, I wear thong flip-flops at home instead of slippers.

Adelfa

Veteran

I've worn them all my life and have never had a problem, but I know some people do.

JAileen

Veteran

For me it depends on the particular sandal. I bought some Bernardo sandals with a toe ring, and Minnetonka thong sandals. The Bernardos were very comfortable from the start. The first time I wore the Minnetonkas, I got a blister. At least part of the difference is the quality of the materials. The Bernardos have soft and smooth leather, whereas the Minnetonkas have stiff hard leather. The other difference in comfort might be due to the Bernardos having a back strap while the Minnetonkas don't.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

I love how they look. I think the V that the thong makes is leg elongating and works especially well on a short foot. But I find them super uncomfortable and blister-inducing so I don't wear them.

dustt

Veteran

couldn't live without them - they are especially friendly to low volume feet as they keep your foot from sliding forward - I'm a thong/flip flop style girl to the end!!

Neel

Veteran

OK I just realized that my crocs are thong style too. But these are super comfy. I guess the quality of the slippers does matter then :).

MRL

Veteran

I started wearing them several years ago, but the first pair I bought had a softer thong so I got used to them. You might want to look for some with a padded thong.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I either love them or hate them. I have a few pairs that I adore. One by Cole Haan in a particular favorite -- I think the style name is Bria. Among the most comfortable sandals I've ever worn. But I tried on a pair yesterday in Nine West that hurt immediately. So I think that paying attention to the quality and how that strap between the toes is made and where it hits your foot is important.

viva

Veteran

I limit thong sandals to true flip-flops: Havianas that I wear to the beach or yoga or around the house mostly. Otherwise, I don't like how thong sandals feel or look on my feet -- which are naturally long-looking (although only an 8.5). My feet are thin and low-volume and I have long toes. I don't need ANY help with foot lengthening! And I don't like that feeling of the piece between my toes. I have completely stopped looking at thong sandals for myself, although I do like the 70s vibe of them and appreciate them on other people.

always trying

Veteran

definitely depends on the thong. I wear one old black pair every day, and when I try on others if I can feel the thong being even a little stiff, I don't get them. have only 2 pairs that I can actually wear all day..others went out with the big purge--BUT if I do not wear thong sandals for a few months during cold weather I have to "break in my toe again. This usually is quite easy and I always start with my old cushy ones. DO NOT buy any thong sandals that you can not return or have to pay return shipping, as even if some may look and feel OK at first -they can be bothersome when wearing them for any length of time.

Kimberley

Veteran

What MaryK said

Zibbets

Veteran

I have flat and tall ones, wear them all the time and don't even think about the thong between my toes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I can't stand thong sandals on my feet - uncomfortable. It's a miracle I make it through a pedicure. But I do like the way a pretty thong sandal looks though - but exclude rubber flip flops from that assortment.

BethL

(website)

Veteran

I love them and wear them all the time. I don't even notice the thong, unless there's something wrong with the shoe, or it's very cheaply made. I have high volume, very fussy feet. For many years, I've found that I could wear pretty sandals that didn't hurt my bunion if I wore a thong sandal. I do need ones with some arch support, though, if I'm going to be wearing them for any length of time.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I cannot stand the piece between the toes - getting blisters even from the softest leather, sometimes even bloody ones. Accidently I also hate how they look on my feet as well so thong sandals is not an option for me at all.