A good strappy sandal earns its place through what happens at the point of contact, not through how it photographs standing still. The strap arrangement should sit against the foot with intention, a footbed that doesn’t slide forward with every step, a buckle or tie that actually holds rather than one that’s decorative and useless by the second wear. Leather that’s been finished properly will soften and mould to the foot within a few outings, while a stiff, unyielding strap across the toes or ankle is the surest sign of a sandal that looked better in a photograph than it will feel on a pavement. Height matters less than balance. A three or four centimetre block or a well set kitten heel will carry a body through a full day and evening in a way that a spindly, unsupported stiletto strap simply won’t, no matter how elegant the ankle tie looks.
The styling of these is more flexible than people give it credit for.
A fine strappy sandal with a straight leg trouser or a wide culotte is a sharper daytime look than most people attempt, and it works because the strap detail becomes the visible interest instead of hiding under fabric. With a slip skirt or a bias cut dress, the ankle strap does something useful too, it draws a line that stops the leg looking like an unbroken stretch of fabric. For evening, a strappy sandal with a fine metallic or jewel toned strap needs almost nothing else on the foot, no heavy hosiery, no competing texture, just a clean pedicure and a bit of confidence in the ankle.
Occasion wise, this is a category that flatters the in between moments best, the wedding that isn’t black tie, the dinner that starts at a restaurant and ends somewhere with worse lighting, the long lunch that runs into early evening drinks. A flat or low strappy sandal earns its keep on holiday, worn against bare legs with linen and not much else. What to avoid is anything with a strap so thin or so structurally ambitious that walking becomes an event in itself. The best ones disappear into the outfit during the day and become the whole point of it after dark.
Top Picks
STRAPPY SANDALRYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Flintstone Blue Fabric 11.0
$69.99 RYKA
STRAPPY SANDALRYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Laurel Green Fabric 6.5
$69.99 RYKA
STRAPPY SANDALSHIEKHWomen Rasha-61 Strappy Lace Up Sandal Black Sandal 10 Black
$29.99 SHIEKH
RYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Black Fabric 6.0
$69.99 RYKA
RYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Flintstone Blue Fabric 11.0
$69.99 RYKA
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Maggie Strappy Sandal (Gold Faux Leather) 9.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$120.00 FRANCO SARTO
RYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Laurel Green Fabric 6.5
$69.99 RYKA
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Maggie Strappy Sandal (Coffee Bean Faux Leather) 11.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$120.00 FRANCO SARTO
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Maggie Strappy Sandal (Marshmallow White Faux Leather) 8.0 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$120.00 FRANCO SARTO
SAM EDELMANCalla Strappy Flat Sandal Modern Ivory Leather
$100.00 SAM EDELMAN
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Maggie Strappy Sandal (Black Faux Leather) 9.5 M Slip On Fit, Pointed Toe, Slip
$120.00 FRANCO SARTO
SAM EDELMANElissa Strappy Heel Sandal Soft Silver Leather
$140.00 SAM EDELMAN
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Eureka Strappy Sandal with Arch Support in Black Leather, Size
$130.00 ANINE BING
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Carmela Strappy Slide Sandal with Arch Support in Black Leather, Size 6 Wide
$135.00 ANINE BING
SHOEMALL.COMALL BLACK Strappy Square Wedge Women's Pink Sandal Euro 39 US 8.5
$169.95 SHOEMALL.COM
SHIEKHWomen Rasha-61 Strappy Lace Up Sandal Black Sandal 10 Black
$29.99 SHIEKH
SHIEKHWomen Dalinda-34 Strappy Sandal Leopard Print Leopard Print Shoes 6.5 Leopard Print
$9.99 SHIEKH
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Cypress Strappy Sandal with Arch Support in Tan Leather, Size
$135.00 ANINE BING
NINA SHOESWomens Anna New Navy Satin Mid-Heel Strappy Dress Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
SHOEMALL.COMTeva Voya Strappy Women's Green Grey Sandal 8
$35.00 SHOEMALL.COM
SAM EDELMANClarra Strappy Sandal Light Sand Leather
$100.00 SAM EDELMAN
J RENEEJ. Rene Women's Butafly Strappy Sandal in Bright Multicolor, Fabric/Rhinestones, Size 7 M, 1.5 Inch Heel
$129.95 J RENEE
NINA SHOESWomens Anna True Silver Textured Metallic Mid-Heel Strappy Dress Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
GODDIVAGoddiva Strappy High Heeled Sandal
$58.00 GODDIVA
NINA SHOESWomens Anna Pearl Rose Satin Mid-Heel Strappy Dress Sandal
$99.00 NINA SHOES
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Carmela Strappy Slide Sandal with Arch Support in Tan Leather, Size
$135.00 ANINE BING
−78%
SHIEKHWomen Scota-H Strappy Sandal Black Sandals 9.5 Black$22.68
$4.99 SHIEKH
−75%
SHIEKHWomen S-LS9266P Strappy Thong Sandal Brown Sandals 8.5 Brown$19.96
$4.99 SHIEKH
−65%
SHIEKHWomen S-LS9266P Strappy Thong Sandal BLACK Sandals 6.5 BLACK$19.97
$6.99 SHIEKH
−70%
SHIEKHWomen Scota-H Strappy Sandal White Sandals 8.5 White$23.30
$6.99 SHIEKH
−68%
SHIEKHWomen Strappy Sandal Camel Sandals 11 Camel$24.97
$7.99 SHIEKH
−55%
SHIEKHWomen S-LS9266P Strappy Thong Sandal Tan Sandals 9.5 Tan$19.98
$8.99 SHIEKH
−78%
NINA SHOESWomens Bibiana Silver Glitter & Metallic Foil Strappy Mid-Heel Wedge Sandal$90.86
$19.99 NINA SHOES
−24%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Poppy Strappy Sandal (Black Shimmer Fabric) 10.0 W$74.99
$56.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Grandiose Strappy Wedge Sandal (Bone White Faux Leather) 8.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Grandiose Strappy Wedge Sandal (Tan Brown Faux Leather) 11.0$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Celia Strappy Sandal (Sienna Beige Faux Leather) Fabric 6.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Grandiose Strappy Wedge Sandal (Gold Metallic Faux Leather) 6.0$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Lainey Strappy Sandal (Ultimate Grey Microsuede) Leather 8.0$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Lainey Strappy Sandal (Whiskey Tan Fabric) Leather 5.0$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Celia Strappy Sandal (Black Faux Leather) Fabric 11.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−46%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Heidi Dress Sandal Shoes, Black Textured Faux Leather, 7.0M Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels, Ankle Strap$120.35
$64.99 NATURALIZER
−46%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Heidi Dress Sandal Shoes, Red Textured Faux Leather, 10.0W Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels, Ankle Strap$120.35
$64.99 NATURALIZER
−46%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Heidi Dress Sandal Shoes, Champagne Faux Leather, 11.0W Strappy Style, Open Toe, Block Heels, Ankle Strap$120.35
$64.99 NATURALIZER
−50%
BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORYStrappy Heel Sandal$150.00
$75.00 BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY
−27%
NATURALIZERSoul Cindi Sandal Wedge Sandals, Black Leather, 7.5W Strappy Style, Round Toe, Zip Closure$109.58
$79.99 NATURALIZER
−27%
NATURALIZERSoul Cindi Sandal Wedge Sandals, Gold Metallic Faux Leather, 9.5M Strappy Style, Round Toe, Zip Closure$109.58
$79.99 NATURALIZER
−27%
NATURALIZERSoul Cindi Sandal Wedge Sandals, Dark Brown Leather, 6.5M Strappy Style, Round Toe, Zip Closure$109.58
$79.99 NATURALIZER
−39%
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Geneva Strappy Toe Post Sandal with Arch Support in Black Leather, Size$139.33
$84.99 ANINE BING
−39%
ANINE BINGVionic Women's Geneva Strappy Toe Post Sandal with Arch Support in Rose Violet Suede, Size$139.33
$84.99 ANINE BING
−30%
SAM EDELMANInes Strappy Stiletto Sandal Bright White Satin Fabric$139.99
$97.99 SAM EDELMAN
−17%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Zayda Platform Sandal Wedge Sandals, Champagne Faux Leather, 7.5W Strappy Style, Open Toe$120.47
$99.99 NATURALIZER
−17%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Zayda Platform Sandal Wedge Sandals, Ice Blue Raffia, 7.0M Strappy Style, Open Toe$120.47
$99.99 NATURALIZER
