Start With the Right Sandal for Your Summer Plans
Before you think about outfits, think about where you're actually going. Sandals for women this summer span a wide range of styles, and matching the shoe to the occasion makes everything else click into place. A barely-there strappy sandal in ivory or beige is ideal for rooftop dinners and weekend brunches, while a cushioned footbed slides or block-heel sandals carry you through farmers markets, day trips, and long afternoons on your feet without complaint.
At Prologue, our sandals range from $59 to $199, so there's real room to build a summer rotation rather than leaning on one pair to do everything. A lower-heeled cognac sandal with a padded insole, for example, works beautifully for casual days out, while a sleek black strappy heel earns its place for evenings when you want to look like you put in effort — because you did.
The Outfits That Actually Work With Sandals
Let's talk pairings, because this is where sandal styling gets genuinely fun. A taupe flat sandal with a thin ankle strap is one of the most versatile things you can own this season. Wear it with wide-leg linen trousers and a tucked-in tank, or let it ground a floral midi dress without competing for attention. The neutral tone does the quiet work of pulling everything together.
Cognac sandals — think warm, reddish-brown leather with a low block heel — pair surprisingly well with denim. Cut-off shorts, a straight-leg jean, or even a denim midi skirt all look sharp with a cognac sandal underneath. The color adds warmth without feeling heavy, which is exactly what you want in July and August.
For beige or ivory sandals, the key is leaning into tonal outfits or sharp contrast. An ivory strappy flat looks incredible against a deep navy wrap dress or a rust-orange co-ord. It also works with all-white summer sets for a clean, intentional look that photographs well without feeling overdone.
Getting the Fit Right — Because Comfort Actually Matters
A sandal that doesn't fit well will remind you of that fact all day. When you're trying sandals on, pay attention to a few things: your heel should sit fully on the footbed without hanging off the back edge, straps shouldn't dig into the top of your foot after ten minutes of walking, and toe straps should lay flat — not pull or gap.
If you're between sizes, sizing up is usually the right call with strappy styles. Most straps can be adjusted, but a sandal that's too small has nowhere to go. For slide sandals, sizing down slightly gives you a more secure fit so the shoe doesn't slip with every step.
Look for sandals with contoured footbeds or built-in arch support if you're planning to wear them for more than a couple of hours at a stretch. Black sandals with a molded footbed, for instance, can take you from a morning walk to a full afternoon out without your feet staging a protest by 3pm.
How to Transition Your Sandals Into Late Summer
Sandals don't have to disappear the moment September shows up. Cognac and taupe styles in particular carry easily into early fall when you're still reaching for lighter clothing but the light has shifted. Pair them with barrel-leg jeans, a lightweight blazer, and a simple tee for a look that reads warm-weather but pulled together. A black strappy sandal also holds its own against transitional-season outfits — dark florals, olive trousers, burgundy knit sets.
The trick is picking sandals with a slightly more structured silhouette rather than ultra-minimal warm-weather styles. A little ankle strap, a modest heel, or a chunkier sole all help a sandal read as intentional rather than seasonal.
If you're ready to find your summer sandals, browse the Prologue collection — from easy everyday flats to evening-ready heels, there's a style and a fit waiting for you.
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