As summer well and truly kicks off, it’s time for your trainers to follow suit – but those who worship at the chunky-soled altar of Balenciaga, fear not. The Dad sandal is on hand to reinforce your edgy footwear-fits. Just as functionally norm-core and by all intensive-purposes unconventionally vibey, the mutated-moccasin is here to help you indulge your far-out footwear fetish without melting your feet into fiery puddles of discomfort.
Despite the obvious perk that when function precedes form (albeit for a deliberate style-statement), you’re going to be left with some gratefully-comfortable feet, the dad sneaker can be the sole-statement that elevates your otherwise more restricted summer wardrobe to fashionable new-heights.
The blistering heat and suffocating humidity of the Middle East curtails your options of carefully-curated cashmere or a la mode layering, and if you’re to survive the sprint from air-conditioned cab to air-conditioned apartment, you’re reduced to the constraints of a lightweight tee and shorts combo – pretty stark fundamentals when you’re looking to flex a style-statement. Enter the Dad sneaker, of which we’ve been generous enough to round-up the best styles, to buy now. The shape of your shoe is assertive enough, so no need to go full 7th grade drama teacher by adding colour. If you do fancy living life on the audacious side, Balenciaga’s Track Runner Sandal comes in an obnoxious shade of fuchsia – please wear with caution.
Boat shoes should stay exactly there, on the boat, Crocs will never be stylish (we’re looking at you, Christopher Kane), and slides have had their more than adequate moment in the limelight, so add a little edge to your fit and throw a slipper-swerve worthy of your less-enlightened pals ‘what are thoseee’ taunts. Just please, for the love of fashion, do not wear with socks.
Balenciaga, Logo Sandal, AED2,295
Birkenstock, Tatacoa Sandal, AED624
Bottega Veneta, Logo Canvas Sandal, AED2,700
Dior. CD1 Sandal, AED3,116
Dries Van Noten at Mytheresa, Leather Sandal, AED2,670
Fendi, PU and Black Leather Sandal, AED2,790
Gucci, Leather and Mesh Sandal, AED3,270
Gucci, Sandal with Interlocking G Horsebit, AED3,600
Prada, Technical Fabric Sandal, AED2,700
United Nude at Level Shoes, Geo Touch Sandal, POA
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