November 29, 2023
The days are warm, the evenings are bright, and the clouds are few and far between; this can only mean one thing, summer is fast approaching! Now, if you’re a fashion enthusiast then you’ve probably been counting down the days until you’re able to switch your winter clothes for your summer outfits. Or, maybe you’ve just been waiting to swap your thick, weatherproof shoes for something more appealing, like your favourite pair of toe-post sandals.
If you're not familiar with the name, you'll probably be more familiar with the design. Toe post sandals are a design of shoe in which there is a 'post' between the big toe and the rest, connecting the upper of the shoe into the sole of the shoe. So, what is a toe post? Well, simply, it is a piece of material (generally the same material used for the upper/side of the shoe) that acts as a tether between the upper material and the sole of the shoe. This style of shoe is most commonly seen in the form of girls toe post sandals and women's toe post sandals as it can be a great fashion statement for an outfit as well as a practical option for those lovely summer days, however there are great styles available in men’s toe post sandals if you’re looking for great holiday footwear.
Although sandals are practical and can really complete a great outfit, they’re not perfect. It’s not uncommon to experience some discomfort if you’re wearing sandals for a long period of time. Due to the design, it’s fairly common to find that the toe post will rub against your toes and at times this may cause discomfort (possibly blisters, and we all know how awful they are).
There is a silver lining, however. If you know how to stop toe post sandals rubbing then you can save yourself those painful and irritating moments. So, to prevent the toe post rubbing against your toe try to avoid getting the sandal wet and walking long distances. Alternatively, you can buy yourself some silicone toe post protectors to wrap around the toe post and provide a more comfortable grip. Another useful tip on how to keep your flip flops from rubbing in between toes is to create your own toe post protector with your choice of material. The benefit of this option is that you can tailor the colour and material to match/contrast your sandal, making your pair look even better than before.
Knowing how to keep flip flops from hurting between toes is great, but it may not solve all of your sandal-related problems. As some styles of sandals have flat soles, they won’t provide your foot with ample heel or arch support, and this can lead to pain in these areas. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the shoe (open sides and back) it’s not as easy as slipping an insole in (the perfect tip for closed shoes), so your best option is to pick a pair with heel and arch protection, or avoid wearing your pair for long durations if you expect to be on your feet all day – don’t worry, they’re still a great choice for your holiday!
So, now you know how to soften toe post sandals and how to stop your pair of toe post sandals hurting, the only thing left to do is find your perfect pair!
We all know how important your choice of shoe is when trying to complete the perfect outfit. Fortunately, toe post sandals are so versatile that they go well with pretty much any outfit you can put together! Another reason that toe post sandals have become so popular is that there are so many styles available that you’ll never be stuck to find a pair to suit your occasion. Let’s look at the different styles and see what you may want to wear with each:
This is the basic style of sandal and looks great with a casual outfit. A jeans and vest/t-shirt combo will pair great with your choice of footwear. If summer is in full swing then try swapping the jeans for denim shorts. You can also include some accessories of choice to complete your outfit.
This style is slightly more ‘eveningwear’ than the basic strap style but still looks great with the casual option above. To really set this style off, try a pair of slim black jeans and a t-shirt + cardigan combo. If the temperature’s too high for this option then try a pair of white cut-off shorts and a vest top. This will help the jewels stand out and show off your great style.
Toe post sandals with a back strap are the common choice for summer days in the office, allowing the feet to cool and remain comfortable in the heat whilst giving you a professional look. For a casual look, match your toe post sandals with a back strap with a long sleeve t-shirt and jeans, or a summer dress + cardigan combo.
If you’re looking for something what a bit more flair for the office or a casual night out, then this is one of the best options for you. The open top of the sandal allows your feet to keep cool, and the wedge provides you with the ‘work chic’ look to make sure you don’t bring down the tone of your outfit. With this style, you should choose black jeans/dark work trousers paired with a smart top, or a jumper/cardigan. If you opt for toe post sandals with a small heel then stick with these options to make them look great.
These are the ultra-smart style of sandal. These can be worn to work, on a night out, or even a wedding! If you opt for this style then we recommend pairing with a suit trouser + blazer combo, a skirt + top & cardigan combo, or a lovely summer dress. If you’re choosing a pair of toe post sandals with kitten heels then you can wear any of the above, but may feel more comfortable keeping your outfit to a smart-casual level.
There aren’t many items of clothing to avoid wearing with your toe post sandals, but there are a few! We’ve listed some ‘no-go’ garments below:
It’s very difficult to find a pair of tights to wear with toe post sandals that will look good. This is due to the toe post dividing the toes and will pull back the tights between these toes, giving you a slightly strange looking foot (which isn’t ideal!).
Same reason as above but 100x worse.
Technically if you’re wearing a onesie then nothing is off limits, but a nice pair of trainers will probably suit this look better!
The toe post sandal is a hugely versatile choice of footwear, available in a great range of designs and styles to match any outfit and occasion. Now you know how to keep your feet comfortable in a pair, and how to use them to show off your great style, you’ll probably never feel like you have enough pairs! Don’t worry, that’s a common problem…
Check out the shoezone blog for more style tips and footwear suggestions for every occasion.