Summer Sandals Under $50 May 12, 2012 Alison Schwartz
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Summer Sandals Under $50 May 12, 2012 Alison Schwartz 154,680,428 unique monthly visitors Save your cash for a vacation when you shop for wedges, sand- friendly flip flops and other warm weather staples. With summer on the horizon, stepping it up in spin class and investing in a new tube of sunscreen will prep you for the ever-looming bathing- suit season. But there's another (more fashionable) way to put your best foot forward as the weather heats up. As you bid your boots adieu, give summer a warm welcome with a sunshine staple: a new pair of sandals. And you don't have to dig deep into your vacation fund. Yahoo! Shopping found hotter-than-the-sun footwear, ranging from beach-ready basics to party-pleasing wedges, for less than $50 a pair. "You do not have to compromise style or comfort for price," Zappos.com Style Editor Marie Kojitani tells Yahoo! Shopping. Adds InStyle Accessories Director Leah Karp: "There are styles for everyone this summer." Her advice? "The most important thing to look for in any shoe is to make sure you can walk in it." But it's not just about what you're putting on your feet. When it comes to showing a little more skin than your snow attire allowed, "Definitely have your toes ready," says Caroline Maguire, Bloomingdales.com fashion director. Time to book your pedi appointment — these sandals will take you everywhere this summer. On that note, where to? To the Beach When it comes to making a stylish splash by the waves, less is more (just don't necessarily apply this mantra to your bikini shopping, ahem). Strut across the sand with ease in a pair of flip-flops or simple thong sandals. "I definitely am a flip-flop girl," Maguire says of her shoe-of-choice when she hits the beach. She recommends a classic Havaianas thong sandal with a neon twist ($32, Bloomingdales.com). "I love them in the bright colors," she says. Kojitani agrees: "Havaianas are a great staple for every woman's wardrobe," she adds of the famously durable sandals, which are available in a rainbow of shades and prints. But if you're worried about colors clashing, get the ultimate glow with these gold flip flops — just imagine those straps sparkling in the sun! — minus a flashy price tag ($12.99, Target). For a softer look, pull your seaside ensemble together with these snakeskin-print sandals, complete with a bow accent ($29.50, LOFT). They come in lime-yellow, hot pink, pewter, rose, white snakeskin and black. But flats go beyond the beach. "They are so comfortable and extremely versatile," Karp says. "You can wear them just as easily with shorts as you can with a long flowing dress." At a picnic in the park The only thing worse than ants in your turkey sandwich? Shoes that sink into the grass. That's why ladies who plan on breaking out the picnic basket should avoid heels, Karp says. The only thing you'll sink into wearing a pair of flat strappy sandals is your lunch (assuming you're a safe distance from the nearest anthill, that is). Look great when you brave the great outdoors in these criss- cross Volcom sandals, available in mint and black, that hug your feet with an enclosed heel ($35, Zappos.com). If you want to take your park romp to new heights, strap on a comfortable pair of wedges or flatforms (the coveted flats-platform hybrid), such as these Nicole Miller wedge sandals, available in white, black, red and nude ($35, JCPenney). And with a heel just less than five inches, these slingback-style shoes would also come in handy if you needed to squash a few of those ants. Kojitani says nautical-style prints are also making a comeback this summer, like these blue-and-white Gabriella Rocha wedges ($49, Zappos.com), which are "an easy way to spruce up a simple white dress." On a date Take it up a notch with your summer fling in a pair of high-heel sandals. It's the season for bright and brave color choices (and color-blocking), so make it a hot date with these multi-colored Olsenboye stunners (also available in black) for a not-so-high price ($24, JCPenney). High heel sandals dressy enough for your 9-to-5 needs pass around the office, too. For a safe-for-work sandal, pick a classic, neutral hue (generally, black, brown and tans are more versatile, says Kojitani). Grab two pairs of these Xhilaration patent heels: nude for work, blue for play. ($24.99, Target. Not available online until 5/13) At a party From your grand entrance to your grand-slam showdown on the dance floor, it isn't always practical to squeeze on your prettiest heels for a party. But you won't compromise glitz and glam for comfort in a pair of jeweled sandals, such as these Mixit flats dolled up with stone embellishments ($12, JCPenney). For just a little leverage, pick up these beaded Merona sandals with wedge heels just more than an inch high ($24.99, Target). Around town When you have errands to run, it's OK to ditch the running shoes. Sandals with memory foam midsoles, like these pink Nike thongs, mix comfort with style ($32, Bloomingdales). When it comes to picking out a pair of flat sandals ideal for an on-the-go fashionista, "You want to make sure that the shoe itself is really comfortable in all of the different parts of your foot — not just the ball of the foot," says Ellen Goldstein, a professor of accessories design at New York City's Fashion Institute of Technology. Karp also recommends investing in a neutral color (like the Loft’s cork- print sandals, $29.50) for "a shoe you're going to wear all the time." .