There are thousands of shoe styles and types that are right
for different occasions. One seemingly simple shoe is the wedge sandal, but
even that comes with many criteria that can make the selection process
difficult. Use this guide to help select the best wedge sandals to wear in the
spring and summer.
Wedge Sandals Defined
A wedge sandal is a shoe that is shaped like a wedge (think
of a door stop), with the heel being the highest point of the shoe. Many women
prefer wedge sandals over traditional high heels because the bottom of the shoe
has a larger surface area, making it easier to walk. Wedge sandals are also
perfect for outdoor events because they will not sink into mud or grass.
Wedge sandals can vary drastically in height, from the low
wedge sandal to the incredibly high platform wedge sandal. Wedges come in many
different designs, including t-straps, ankle straps, flip-flop style, clog
style, cage style, and even boot style.
Choosing a Wedge Sandal
Most women do not have endless shoe budgets, which means
they will need to be choosy when selecting a wedge sandal for the year. Every
woman can find a wedge sandal to suit her liking since the shoes come in so
many different styles, colors, designs, and heel heights.
Buyers can use the following criteria to determine which
type of sandal will suit their needs the best.
Formality Level
Wedges come in all formality levels, with options that will
fit in at even the most formal wedding to options that will fit perfectly at an
outdoor barbeque. Wedges with rhinestones and colored in metallic hues are more
formal than wedges covered in gingham fabric. Higher heel heights usually look
more formal than low wedge sandals. Embellishments like flowers, rivets, and
embroidery increase the formality level of a wedge. Embellishments like spikes,
charms, rope, and buttons reduce the formality of the wedge.
Shoe Material
Wedge sandals range in material from leather to plastic and
everything in between. Where the buyer will wear the shoe will determine the
right material to get. Wearing the shoes outdoors calls for sturdy materials,
such as synthetic leather or rubber. Wearing the shoes indoors opens up more
material options, including more delicate materials like fabric, leather, cork,
and jute. Natural materials tend to hold up better long-term, while inexpensive
synthetic materials offer a lower price point but may wear out faster.
Heel Height
Buyers should consider their lifestyle when selecting a heel
height. Wedges are easier to walk in than heels, but high wedges can still be
challenging. Buyers will need to consider the environment where they will wear
the shoe. An outdoor wedding, for example, will call for a lower heel height
than a night out with friends. Buyers should choose a lower heel height when
walking on difficult terrain, like rocks, sand, or hills, or for longer
distances. Higher heel heights work well in indoor environments.
Wedge Color
Choosing the color involves thinking about what function the
wedge sandal will have as part of an outfit. Will it stand out as a statement
piece or blend in with the rest of the outfit? Should the wedge sandals work
with many different outfits or just one in particular?
Neutral colors like brown, white, and black are classic and
go with many outfits. Unusual colors, like green, wedges with patterns, pink,
or orange will coordinate with fewer outfits but offer more personality.
Vintage wedge sandals also provide a lot of personality to an outfit and come
in many different styles and colors.
Where to Find Wedge Sandals
Wedge sandals are one of the most popular shoe styles, which
makes it easy to find various colors and styles almost anywhere. Buyers may
have the best luck when shopping at stores like:
Boutiques
Department stores
Discount stores
Consignment shops
Design houses
Garage and yard sales
e-Retailers
Online auctions
Buying Wedge Sandals on Amazon
Finding the right wedge sandals at a brick and mortar store
can be a frustrating process. EBay offers hundreds of wedge sandals that are perfect
for any occasion. From the eBay Fashion home page, select Women's Shoes, then
use "Shop by Style" to select Platforms and Wedges. Wedge sandals can
be sorted by size, color, brand, condition, price, and other criteria. EBay
makes it easy to personalize a shopping experience in order to find the perfect
wedge sandal.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect wedge sandal is easier than it might
seem. It helps to know the right color, style, heel height, and level of
formality desired for these summer sandals. Using the above criteria can help
buyers create different looks to suit the need of any occasion.
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