Current Sandal Trends From Around the World

Are you ready to bare your feet this summer? Sandals perk up your summer wardrobe and let you get fun and funky with your casual clothing. This year's fashion runways have a bumper crop of new sandal fashion trends from around the world. From thigh-high gladiator sandals to plastic jelly sandals, you will find just about any look you like in this year's current sandal trends.

What do you get when you cross the gladiator sandal with UGG boots? You might end up with one of the latest funky fashionable suede bootie sandal. From the back, bootie sandal looks just like a low calf suede boot, loose and comfortable. The front of the boot upper is cut out into a thong style sandal with a bootie leg. It's a look that defies description – there is no way to make it sound anywhere near as cute as it looks. That's just one of the newest popular styles for sandals this summer. Take a look at these others, from casual to dressy.

The Classic Flip Flop

Is there any footwear that says summer more clearly than the classic summer flip flop? Sandals have come a long way from the sponge rubber cutouts of the Sixties, though. This summer's flip flop styles come in a wide range of upper materials, but the keynote of fashion this year is color. This summer's colors are eye-popping, bright and playful. For casual beach wear, flip-flops with playful patterns printed on the soles and insoles are all the rage, especially when the thong-strap sports a motif from the print. Look for huge daisies in outrageous colors on flip flops with daisy-printed soles, worn with shorts, bikinis and sundresses. You can get away with flip flops for evening wear when you opt for transparent jellies with glittering rhinestones that appear to float above your feet, or invoke a casual down-to-earth look with braided leather flip-flops.

Thong Sandals

T-strap thong sandals are perennial summer favorites. This year's most fashionable crop is made in bright and shiny patent leather in bright, bright colors like royal blue, neon green and fire engine red. Add accents in polished silver or gold, and you will be right in style for just about any summer occasion.

Casual thong styles include cut-out and embossed leather with either flat soles or low heels that are a great choice for days around town or at the mall. Sporty, athletic looks featuring heavy-duty straps in woven webbing are still popular, though the colors take their cue from this summer's bright palate. For dressier wear, look for thong style sandals with tiny post heels and skinny toe straps, often sparkled with glitter and rhinestone. Wedge soles are back again, too, but they are much more feminine this time around. Cork is in – but it is framed in patent leather to match the uppers, making a bold fashion statement.

Everything Old is New Again

It does not get much older – or newer – than gladiator sandals. You can play it safe with ankle high gladiator sandals, or go wild with the hottest styles strutting down the runway this summer season. Bright colors combine with metal rings or circles of leather to create a wild look, techno look that is anything but old-fashioned. Designers have taken new twists on the gladiator look with unusual materials and funky fittings like cotton canvas and sneaker eyelets lacing all the way to mid-thigh. Try out a different look with Goth-style gladiator wedges that use industrial fittings and rings, or wrap thin patent leather straps through loops to create a delicate ballerina look. If you can't be goofy in the summer, when can you?

Slides and Mules and Animal Prints, Oh My!

Fit is fashionable – and foot fashion is all about sandals that are good for your feet. Naot and Earth both feature fashionable sandals with negative heels and molded soles that encourage good posture and healthy walking. However, staying fit is not the only reason to recommend healthy sandal styles. Unusual prints and colors put fashion on a par with fitness and comfort. This summer, animal prints are everywhere, including on the vamps and uppers of some of the most comfortable sandals ever created. Because mules and slides offer very little in the way of support or stability for your feet, the sole and insole construction is extremely important. If you decide on a pair of this summer's favorite fitness sandals, be sure to choose a pair from one of the better manufacturers so that you can count on high quality materials, excellent construction and soles that make your feet feel like heaven.

Whatever sandals you choose for summer wear, make sure that you keep your feet in shape for showing off with periodic exfoliation and a soothing rub with foot lotion at least once a day.