This summer’s chicest sandal features an element fit for the season: ropes. They allude to the sea, cementing a seasonally appropriate design. Supersized or skinny, traditional weave or utilitarian cord, the nautical style combines the lightweight feel of an espadrille with the heavy silhouette of a comfort sandal to produce an emblem of versatility.
“Rope sandals are the perfect throw-on [shoe] for a day in the park or at the beach and add that boho aesthetic to any look,” explains Hollie Harding, a buying manager at Brown’s Fashion.
As designers continue to expand on the style, today’s offerings appeal to a diverse array of tastes. For example, Le Monde Beryl recently released two new corded styles in their spring collection. Co-founders Lily Atherton Hanbury and Katya Shyfrin “love the juxtaposition of the ropes as a utilitarian material arranged over the foot in such a delicate way.” In their first knot collection, they opted for rich earthy colors in addition to a traditional rope-like hue.
Other styles available in today’s marketplace boast details that range from utilitarian in the form of the cords on Arizona Love’s Trekky styles to the fanciful as seen in Valentino’s metallic gold finishing. Fashion brands ranging from Chloé to Schutz to Studio Amelia have all produced their own versions as well, further expanding the category’s appeal.
“At Browns, we’re loving the simplicity and durability of Nomadic State of Mind’s rope styles; each pair is handmade by talented artisans on a small out of work coffee farm in Nicaragua with the sustainable designs available in a range of colorways,” says Harding. “For those wanting something with more of a fashion edge, Isabel Marant’s hot pink take ticks all the boxes.”
Despite the rope styles’ nautical undertones, clothing styling choices often err toward bohemian. Karen Blanchard of @karenbritchick opted for an embroidered mini dress with her pair from Valentino. With the aforementioned hot pink Isabel Marant’s, Harding suggests shoppers“style with oversized denim for a Cali-cool vibe.” Whatever your vibe is when it comes to styling rope sandals, there’s a pair for everyone. Shop our favorites, below.
