A nod to the normcore cultural trend that is the anti-fashion meme of the year, chunky sandals (and other comfortable footwear variety) has made it into the list of what is (ironically) chic for your feet to slip into this summer.
It’s reductive to take something like a reaction or a subjective perception towards the brand-conscious world of fashion which overlaps with class and status and transmute it into a piece of clothing or choice footwear and call it the ‘normal’ stuff the fashion-unaware folks wear without sounding like a hipster douchebag.
Nevertheless, 2014 starts with the appreciation of comfortable sandals that borders on the edge of orthopedic footwear.
We are so used to the media’s portrayal of dainty heels and killer stilettos as the footwear of ‘desirable’ women that we forget our poor feet could use a more practical type of shoe that allows for casual strolling, for once.
I get intense about the subject of women’s footwear and my love for practical (mostly) cleated and comfortably heeled shoe reveals itself in the style of shoes and sandals that my feet naturally lean into.
Growing up in the 90s must have had something to do with the way I view shoes in general but I am not vertically-challenged by society’s standard that I may just be sheltered from the need to create the illusion of height.
While the 90s footwear trends are considered a huge fail amongst modern shoe-o-phile community, it’s delightful to note that this is the year for so-called ‘ugly’ footwear. If comfy means ugly, then it’s right up the fashion scene’s alley, when it comes to twisting things around in the name of vanity.
Flats (or sensibly heeled shoes) that are designed for walking should be what we desire but alas if your preference for height-boosting bone-bending footwear trumps the health of your feet, then a shift in the way women’s shoes are regarded is in order.
But what do I know? I’m obsessed with chunky sandals and I don’t mind looking like your grandma. And I proudly call them chic.
Anyway, to the lookbooks below for some of the very-far-from-normcore lookbookers wearing their sandals (of variable chunkiness) out to play in the sun.
♥ lace up platform peep toe sandals – Choies
♥ open toe zipper sandals – Wholesale7
♥ strapped sandals with metal detail – Choies
♥ chunky sandals – Primark
♥ white buckle chunky sandals – Glamorous
Loving the chunkiness of these sandals? Well then, here’s more for your perusal:
More chunky-licious sandal selection here:
Be honest: Are you a dainty-high-heel-wearing gal or do you go for made-for-walking shoe style like these comfortable sandals?
What do you think of the normcore philosophy with regards to letting go of the notion that fashion is the decider of your identity? Share below and let us know.
“Design is a constant challenge to balance comfort with luxe, the practical with the desirable.” – Donna Karan
© All images are copyrighted by their respective authors.
Here on Fashionista NOW, our one and very own Miss Reverie showcases the latest in fashion trends and its various social implications in our everyday lives. You may read more of her at REVERIE SANCTUARY.
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