One of the reasons why I’m always banging on about buying the most plain, everyday “capsule” things is because I have in the past made slightly wacky purchases and then regretted it at my leisure.
I bought the pink, not the navy; the leopard print and not the black; the fluffy one, not the plain one. And then found the thing awful and unusable.
And I need some new slides, (p.s. aren’t “sliders” a tiny burger?), by which I mean backless summer sandals that you just shove your feet into, which are not flip flops or Birkenstocks.
I have twisted myself into many knots about this. Which ones, which ones?? Which ones would Alison Leohnis, CEO of Yoox/Net a Porter, choose? Fret, fret. Which ones will I see very stylish people wearing at daytime summer events and be wildly jealous of?
Past performance has suggested that I will, on the basis of probability choose the wrong ones and beat myself up for the rest of the summer. In previous years I have managed to buy sandals that either won’t stay on my feet or rip my toes to shreds.
But I do think, my beloveds, that I have nailed it this year. And it’s thanks to Accessorize, who have a superb range of sandals this season.
I was so excited by them that I bought two. And I finally gave up on two pairs of unwearable sandals that have been sitting on my shelves for three years.
Anyway here are my new Accessorize sandals in all their glory and NO REGRETS. They are NOT toe-shredding, they are glinty and cute in the sunshine and they stay on your feet as much as slides ever do.
These first ones, the Cleopatra, £29, in particular are very comfy.
And these Star Stud Sandal, £25, are a more wearable version of an Alice Temperley gladiator sandal around last year.
Of course, to be completely and totally fashionable and up-to-date of course, you want a pair of these from Dune. But not only do these look to me a tiny bit like something someone else would wear, sometimes I wonder if maybe being completely and totally fashionable and up-to-date isn’t just a tiny bit naff.
In other high street news, I am THRILLED that my Missoni ripoff H&M hairband is unexpectedly BACK IN STOCK!! as I lost mine in Kenya. Absolutely everyone mistakes this for Missoni, people don’t believe you when you say it’s H&M… it’s very handy for holidays or weekends or just any time really. I am buying 3.
Those Dune ones look very very smart, in an Hermes kind of way. Might just have to investigate …
I got rid of all my barely-worn toe-shredding sandals a couple of years ago and felt such a HUGE burden of guilt lift from my shoulders. So stupid to have kept them for so long. Replaced them with a pair of black patent Madrid Birkies which I keep v clean for ‘smart’ wear, and decided I would be happier with unbloodied if slightly underdressed feet than vice versa. So far, so good, but my life is very un-smart.
Those Dune ones, though … maybe just in case???
Why does everyone love those Dune ones so much?!?!? yes by all means get them – they are v v popular this summer x
Because they’re a copy of Hermes slides
Lucy thank you for this deadpan response
I like the star ones they look cute. Dune ones aren’t doing it for me…
I love that headband going to go into my local H&M tomorrow (Kingston) so hope they’ll have some. Also love the Dune sandals they look v expensive but now Im cross as Im literally waiting for some Saltwater tan sandals that Ive just purchased so hope I like them as Im now preferring these Dune ones … typical. Im so bored of my Birkenstocks even though they are so comfortable. Great post X
send the Saltwaters back
I feel the same way about Birkies. It was funny in 2016 but not any more
I’m never letting go of my Birkenstocks for general use as I’m too much about comfort, but yes so boring.
I cant Esther Im too lazy
Ive got 3 uber cool teenagers and they literally will not step out the house with my husband and me if we are both wearing Birkenstocks they HATE everything about them!
That might be a reason for sticking with them…
Couldn’t agree more! Esther forgot to say I bought that gorgeous black dress from Comptoir something (sorry cant remember) and I LOVE IT. Imagining myself swishing around on holiday in it with my new tan sandals which I WILL LIKE x
Oh Sarah well done!! I’m so glad someone got that, it’s a beaut. No please do send those SW sandals back. PLEASE. SEND THEM. BACK
Out of interest Esther why such an emphatic no to Saltwaters? Is it because all the mummy bloggers wear them?
hmm it’s complicated. I don’t want to be judgmental but I just… don’t… like them… very much…
I hate saltwaters too, don’t know why really. For the same reason I hate the White Stuff … just not for me!
I wil try and remember to report back when I get them I wasn’t sure about them either but wanted a change from bloody Birkenstocks. Im old (47) and dont like heels. Im sure my kids will give their opinions. We cant all like the same bloody things that would be weird. I remember when there was an issue about UGGs on this blog I couldn’t believe what some people were saying …
OMG! The power of The Spike… I had that fab headband in my basket all afternoon, along with other “must have” sundry items, just went back to place my order and the headband is gone / out of stock!! *wails*
WHAT?! I haven’t bloody ordered mine yeT!!!!!
I just bought one (in store), I love it! I’m a big Missoni fan but mostly I can just afford to admire from afar, this is a perfect dupe!
I adore the star ones, perfect! I’m having my first baby free shopping day tomorrow, with a stylist because I have absolutely no idea who the fuck I am or what I’m supposed to be wearing anymore. Will definitely be heading for these first!
stylists are a vg idea
Honestly it was life changing in quite a shallow way. Actually excited to wear clothes for the first time in ages.
O well Polly you must tell me more!! Email me all about it: esther.walker@gmail.com
If I wore the first two pairs of sandals my friends would think I’d have lost it however much I want to be a woman in stars or brocade. The Dune ones on the other hand I love. Give me an excuse to stop wearing the 14 year olds cast off trainers.
ha ha! Betty go for it. You will be in Instagram’s favourite sandals for 2018
Esther apologies I love your blog but I fucking love my new tan saltwater sandals, we are lucky enough to get evening deliveries as we are so close to London, and they have just arrived even my teenagers said they were ok so thats good enough for me
Ha ha! Sarah KEEP THEM. This is not North Korea though Lord sometimes I wish it was
Im not sure we’d get our online evening deliveries if we lived in NK
WHO KNOWS!? that is the mystery of north korea. we don’t know what happens there. although actually the escapees make it sound pretty grim
Hmmm think Ill stick to Kingston upon Thames
Esther! This is a life-changer for all sorts of sandals. I discovered it two summers ago and have been able to wear any sort of sandal without the slightest blister. It is a miracle. (If I go out for longer than two hours I have one on me to reapply..)
https://www.amazon.de/COMPEED-Anti-Blister-Stick-8-ml/dp/B000MV919I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526903902&sr=8-1&keywords=compeed+stick