Fisherman sandals are my new obsession
I'm reel-y into these shoes - hook, line, and sinker
Hi and happy Wednesday!
Today is the last Wednesday of the month, so it’s free for all subscribers and it’s also when I like to style full outfits if I have the wherewithal to do so. And today, I do! While looking up some inspiration photos for this newsletter, I realized I’m a little late to the party, but whatever. Personal style is personal for a reason - I wasn’t ready last summer but I am READY now for this to be the summer. The summer for fisherman sandals.
I’ve been mulling over my summer shoe persona for the last couple of months. Who am I now? Who do I want to be? Does anything need to change? For the last 15 years I’ve worn either a lace-up Grecian sandal or an Adidas slide as my go-to footwear. I’ll wear a loafer, too, but I felt ready to expand my horizons. Then, when curating this newsletter I found the Stuart Weitzman sandals that are also featured below. I said at the time:
I’m going to do an entire newsletter on fisherman sandals because I am hook, line, and sinker IN LOVE.
So here we are! The fisherman sandal is my new summer shoe. It has that masc feel that I love to wear, while also providing the comfortable utility it was originally made to provide. I love the way they both complement and undercut the seriousness of any outfit.
This new fervor reminds me of last year when I proclaimed it to be the summer of tea length dresses! That obsession has continued unabated and what better shoe to pair with a tea length than a fisherman sandal?! I’m already anticipating next summer’s obsession and addition to this look I’m building.
While searching for my favorite version I quickly discovered that men have the best secondhand options, Cole Haans being my favorite. Men’s fisherman sandals have the weight and the richness of cognac leather that hits the right note for me. But if your fisherman sandal persona differs from mine, worry not beecause I found so many excellent options below in a wide range of colors and sizes!
It’s funny because when I think back on little Maggie and her penchant for fisherman sandals, I always think of those chunky ones that weighed like 8 pounds each. And when I think of those, I think of my other childhood sandal, the stretchy platform. I’m sure you remember these:
They were EVERYTHING and EVERYWHERE. And while they’re still very much in style, I’m looking for something a little less heavy and a little more sleek. So below I’ve styled up six outfits that would be amazing with some fisherman sandals, a small collection of sets that would benefit from them, and then a roundup of twelve options to shop!
One note before we get to that: I have another guest edit this week from the incredibly chic Hallie Gould, EIC of Byrdie and Brides. VERY exciting so keep an eye out for that Friday.
With that, get to shopping xx
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Look One
She’s slouchy, she’s cool, she feels good without much effort! The juxtaposition of the masc pants and sandals with the sexiness of the sheer top and gold accessories is the kind of tension I love in an outfit. Tuck the top, pull the cuff halfway up your arm, and you’re ready to go. This has a sultry summer vibe that makes me think of her sitting outside at a cocktail bar, sweating Pét-Nat in hand.
Look Two
The silhouette of this look is *chef’s kiss.* The volume of the top (not to mention the print!!) paired with the volume of the pants (the buttons!!), accessorized with equally hefty sterling earrings? I want to know/be her. Leave the bottom of the vest undone so you catch peeks of your waistline and unbutton the sides of the pants as far as summer heat dictates.
Look Three
This look offers a tasty condiment-coded bottom. Like the vest in look 2, this silk top only buttons at the very top, leaving the rest completely undone. What better time to add high waist ketchup-colored Kenzo pants or a voluminous honey mustard Donna Karan skirt? Then toss on this pony hair saddle purse and requisite sandals and everyone’s mouths will water while you saunter by.
Look Four
Who said fisherman sandals were only for casual looks? Love the pairing of the cool tones of the sterling earrings and studded top with brown. And love the mirrored studding of the earrings with the top, too. Clearly these Ref pants are knock-offs of The Row but we’re into it. Where is she going? I’ve had a handful of art gallery openings to go to recently and I think this look would be super cool for one at say, 21C.
Look Five
All of these pieces seem basic but have subtle details that make them special. The blouse? Within the stripes is Balenciaga’s name. The pants? Classic cigarette with a super high, peaked waist. The earrings are a little more overt in their uniqueness but are the perfect punctuation for an all-black look. And while this could reach the upper echelon of chic and sleek, the warmth and worn-in feel of the sandals ground the look in a more interesting way.
Look Six
The most casual of the looks, this is an easy summer day outfit. The stripes, the buttons, the Gucci-style handle of this Whiting & Davis purse? I want her to brunch, help her friend clean out her closet, catch an early movie, then grab a glass of wine before heading home (my perfect Sunday).
SETS
If there’s one simple way to wear fisherman sandals - or any shoe, really - it’s with a set! Yellow silk or pink linen, these would all benefit from a fisherman sandal.
1. Nine West (6.5), $64 // 2. Frame (8), $85 // 3. The Leather Collection (6.5), $24 // 4. Earth Shoe (8), $19 // 5. GH Bass (8), $34 // 6. Arizona (7.5), $18 // 7. Lucky (9), $22 // 8. Faded Glory (7), $25 // 9. Grenson (6), $44 // Gap (11.5), $29 // 11. Cole Haan (9.5), $41 // 12. Westies (7.5), $25
Thank you all so much as always for being here! Consider upgrading to a paid subscription if you want more vintage like this every week and keep your eyes on your inbox for Hallie’s guest edit Friday! xx Maggie
Yes to fisherman sandals!! I bought a vintage Cole Haan pair last year and am in love - agree that rich cognac color is where it's at. The G.H. Bass ones are really lovely too. I like to style them with jeans and a tee for a transitional spring/fall look, and with my pleated linen shorts and a cropped cotton tank in summer.
LOVE the sandals and that GIANFRANCO FERRE look is everything!