Notes on a Shoe

Part 2 of Summer Shoes

Recently my friend

Sogole Kane

asked ChatGPT to summarize the Substack Fashion Girl and AI said a sample title would be “Notes on a Shoe.” I felt totally called out as I worked on this post but the joke is actually on ChatGPT because it named my post for me!

For a giggle; here’s what ChatGPT said the shopping philosophy of Substack Fashion Girls are; Mix of: Khaite, Toteme, The Row, High Sport, vintage eBay finds and something weird she discovered through a Japanese webstore. Her latest obsessions? Mesh flats, drop-waist skirts, a weird brown belt.

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In case you missed my post from last week, I tackled the conundrum of stylish but comfortable shoes for the summer. I was following a strict prompt of walkable shoes that covered toes from city grime.

The comment section on the post is a treasure trove of suggestions for comfortable shoes and I heard- loud and clear- that I missed (at least one) major player in the comfortable + style summer shoe game. With that in mind, I wanted to touch down on other summer shoe options; some less walkable and perhaps more trendy. Because I like to have fun, we are doing this as a “Pick Your Player” style game.

Fisherman Sandal

Choose this player if you want walkability and versatility

Beginning with the sandal that was recommended over and over on my last post. Frankly I’m embarrassed that I forgot about the fisherman sandal, because I bought a red pair ($350) at the start of summer and I’ve been comfortably putting steps on them. (I think in this category can also go any sandal that has wider straps especially ankle enclosures; like these ($220).)

fisherman sandals ($375)

Fisherman sandals are a fantastic summer option because they look as good with a skirt as they do with shorts or pants. The key with this shoe style is to the find the amount of “chunk” that is right for you. I have owned a pair that is much heavier in the sole (which is great for walking) but can feel more intimidating to style without looking like a “dad sandal.” There are a number of great options with slim profiles and I think these are easier to style.

For the purposes of styling, I looked at leather sandals though there are very fun jelly options ($64)¹. Fisherman sandals feel like a summer version of loafers; more elevated than other sandals. And I love that they can be styled with socks underneath. I’ve experimented with colored socks under a fisherman sandal which I quite like.

Thinking of fisherman sandals like a loafer can help you lean into the preppier-elevated styling with them. As a MIDIMALIST, I’m always leaning on my accessories to be a pièce de résistance so I tend toward shoes that are in a non-standard color or pattern (hence I bought red fisherman sandals).

Fisherman Sandals two ones; one more minimal and one more midimal: L: striped tee ($78) // belt ($68) // denim ($98) // black sandals ($165) R: hat ($50) // blue shirt ($78) // red sandals ($350)

Heeled Flip-Flops/Thongs

Choose this player if you want to create casual yet elevated irony

It’s pretty well established that leather flip-flops have us in their clutches. But flip-flops are (kinda, sorta, maybe) just a summer staple? Even still searches for flip-flops are up 194% on Pinterest (thank you

Style Analytics

for this info!).

I think these style tips can apply to any strappy summer sandal! Speaking of sandals, the insanely chic

Joyce Lee

did a round up of walkable sandals. I would trust Joyce to lead me off a cliff so I highly recommend her picks!

I’ve specifically looked to heeled flip-flops (or thongs as they are oft called outside the US) because I think they are a bit more of a trend that is new for the summer.

Heeled flip flop ($118)

I’m noticing that we are styling flip-flops with very elevated outfits to create that good tension, the contrast that we like. They bring a casual element to skirts or dresses. Alternatively, I’m seeing them used as a way to elevate an otherwise casual look that would normally be worn with traditional flip flops. It’s actually sort of mystical how a shoe can be both an elevater AND casualizer?!

sunglasses ($325) // t-shirt ($45) // necklace ($18) // pants ($340) // flip-flop ($118)

Slippers/ Mules

Choose this player if your top priority is comfort and ease

I’m focusing here on The Row inspired indoor/outdoor slipper because it feels like it’s everywhere. There are other mule shoes popular this summer like the caged jelly mules ($225). I guess the point here is that we want a shoe that we can shove our foot into without fuss or muss.

mule/slides ($1,050)

The styling of these is casual; hard stop. BUT casual can mean so many different things and look so different; jeans or denim shorts are casual but so are low-slung trousers. T-shirts are casual but so is a great, billowy button up. I have seen these slipper/mules paired well with a seemingly elevated dress; but usually the dress is oversized or drapey. The point here is that these shoes could be a great fit for anyone who wants to bring a casual element to their wardrobe.

I can’t help myself I love the mule + jelly shoe combo, I couldn’t leave her out! sunglasses ($325) // button up ($50) // jeans ($350) // leather mules ($80) // jelly mules ($225)

Mesh Shoe

Choose this player if you want to feminine and trendy

It feels like we started with the Alaia fishnet mary-janes, then the Christopher Esber sparkly mesh flats, then on to The Row jelly flats. This summer we are finding more and more flats that are jelly or netted or mesh, etc. ChatGPT kinda nailed this one, eh?

mesh flat ($248)

No matter what color or the embellishment on the flat; these shoes are naturally more feminine and I think they look great styled that way. I love seeing them styled with dresses or skirts or with elevated trouser-style pants and shorts.

tank ($98) // blazer ($248) // skirt ($250) // tote ($68) // mesh ballet flat ($250)

I assure you that summer shoes are neither limited to this post OR last week’s post. I’ve also noticed a huge uptick in toe-ring sandals ($98) and more “sneakerinas” like these amazing ones

Meighan Grady

sent to me ($205).

My take on shoes; shoes have always been a happy place in my closet and probably the single best example of the midimal part of my wardrobe because I find it quite fun to pick patterned or colorful shoes to be the “pop” in an otherwise minimal style. The style of what shoe is “cool” changes with such frequency that if you are going to buy a trendy shoe why not pick a color that makes you happy knowing that you aren’t looking for some decades long wardrobe staple?!

Have an awesome week!

Links for all products can be found here

1. Literally THIS morning

threadloopfits

predicted that Gen Z will become obsessed with jelly sandals so, Millenials, know that!