Listen, I love a slinky, strappy, heel sandal as much as the next person, but there’s a time and place for those and it’s not running errands on a Saturday morning or strolling through the grass at a park. In spring and summer situations when I want to look cute but also remain exceptionally comfortable, I wear chunky dad sandals. Perfectly in line with the oh-so-popular “ugly shoe” trend, dad sandals are the way to go with casual footwear when the temperatures rise.
In this article: Dolce Vita Women's Starla Sandal, Steve Madden Women's Mona Sandal and Teva Women's W Flatform Universal Sandal
When a style statement is also comfortable, that’s sure to be a hit. Enter dad sandals, which are marked by a clunky, comfy silhouette, flat soles, and thick, supportive straps.
Comfortable, intentionally ugly shoes have been popular for a while now, with Crocs and dad sneakers being go-to choices for in-style, supportive footwear. Dad sandals are the latest way to embrace this trend, and they’re perfect for doing so in the warmer months.
The most popular dad sandal design is by Chanel. The black open-toed shoes feature two thick straps across the top of the foot and one around the heel. The sandal features the iconic interlocking C’s Chanel logo on the top of the shoe. Of course, those shoes can set you back upwards of $2,000. If you’re looking to wear the trend at a much more budget-friendly price tag, rest assured that there are many great similar styles for a small fraction of the Chanel price point.
If you find this look a bit intimidating, don’t. Dad sandals are surprisingly versatile, and they can go with a number of types of outfits. Dad sandals obviously work well with more casual outfits, pairing perfectly with jeans and a T-shirt or shorts and a laid-back top. However, they also look super cute when paired with a sundress or flowy miniskirt, which provides an intentional contrast. This allows you to get a little dressed up while wearing a most-comfortable shoe.
Dolce Vita Women's Starla Sandal
Available in seven colorways, this shoe is especially comfortable thanks to a contoured footbed. It has a back strap plus two top straps, which are outfitted with adorable oversized buckles for emphasis. We especially love the clear vinyl colorway, which has some added elegance and looks super cute when styled with a sundress.
Steve Madden Women's Mona Sandal
If you’re looking to try the dad sandal trend with a fun punch of color, we recommend this design by Steve Madden, which comes in hot pink, leopard print, denim and more unexpected colorways. It contains a gold, oversized hook-and-loop closure on the straps.
Teva Women's W Flatform Universal Sandal
Available in a whopping 29 colors, these sandals are by a brand that’s synonymous with comfort. Velcro fabric straps allow you to get the exact right fit for your foot, while a thick 1.25-inch platform literally and figuratively elevates the shoe.
If loads of walking is on the agenda for the day, rest assured that these leather sandals are up for the challenge. They have a plush, contoured footbed to keep you comfortable even during long days spent standing and walking. They come in seven colors.
QIGEGE Cloud Waterproof Sandals
For fans of the TikTok-viral cloud slides, these shoes give the look a dad sandal makeover while maintaining the same ultra-comfy cloud-like footbed. The slip-on design has a strap in the back for added support, plus two straps on the top of the foot. It’s available in five fun colors.
Crocs Women's Literide 360 Sandal
Crocs’ take on the dad sandal trend: this light and soft pair with foam insoles. They provide the same level of comfort as the classic Crocs clog design, but they have a breezier silhouette for wearing in the spring and summer. Thanks to flexible straps, there’s no break-in period either.
CAMELSPORTS Women Walking Sandals
Super-soft straps help make these walking sandals ultra comfortable even on the longest treks. The cushioned footbed and traction outsole add even more support to keep your feet cozy and snug while preventing slipping and chafing. There are seven colors to choose from.
UGG Women's Ashton Ankle Sandal
An extra-thick, contrasting platform gives these adorable sandals a lift. For comfort, there’s an adjustable ankle strap and an adjustable vamp strap. Choose from four neutral colors, which will match nearly any outfit in your closet.
YOKI Women's Platform Sandal Wedge
With crystal embellishments on the straps, these iridescent sandals have plenty of eye-catching details that set them apart from your typical dad sandal. Still, they offer plenty of comfort in the form of a thick, rugged platform and adjustable Velcro straps.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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