Explain: Sandals With Ankle Covers

Jun 12, 2008 @ 2:01pm

ugly ankle strap sandals.jpg If open-toe boots represented the epitome of fashion impracticality this winter, then their summer cousin, the sandal/not sandal at left, is a close second.

We're not sure where they came from. We can't remember ever having seen them on the runway but somehow they've wound up on the feet of many New Yorkers, not to mention some of our staple online shoe stores. We could overlook their odd amalgamation of straps, ties and cuffs if they at least pretended to serve a purpose. But they don't. So what's their deal?

As far as summer footwear goes, this is probably the most unflattering choice a girl could make. Unless you have legs for miles, the thick ankle band can seriously shorten your gams. This is a little like attaching a turtleneck to a spaghetti strap tank top, you know?

But seriously, it's summer. It's a million degrees out. This is no time to be wrapping your ankles in leather.

Can anyone explain?

-- HAYLEY PHELAN

posted by Suheyla

Jun 12, 2008 1:58PM

I really don't get this. At least open-toe boots look nice. These are just unflattering, fugly, and impractical for the heat.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 2:05PM

I'm always shocked at how out of it you guys are!!! These shoes are based off the Chanel ankle sandals worn by Lindsey Lohan last summer (duh). I should know because after I saw her in those crazy sandals I went out and bought a pair! Their cute and everyone is always gushing "where did you get those?"

posted by mpw

Jun 12, 2008 2:23PM

What about those gladiator fitflops at Kirna Zabete? They still look ridiculous, but at least they supposedly tone your bum.

posted by marybelle

Jun 12, 2008 2:26PM

I loved those Chanel's also - I thought the heels with giant socky things were actually kind of flattering! Unfortunately, I'm short and they made me look even shorter so I never got a pair.

As heels they were great, but as flats... I dunno - pretty stumpifying, I would guess.

posted by bastylefilegirl

Jun 12, 2008 2:26PM

I'm torn I do think the sandal can be stylish but only if it's worn with the right outfit and by someone who has the confidence to pull them off. Plus they are perfect for someone who hates there ankles right? Plus the same can be said about some of the gladiator sandals with multiple buckles part of the reason we wear sandals is to give our feet some air and relax a little and a shoe with 15 buckles seems wrong!

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 2:43PM

Prada has some sort of ankle cover on their sprink '08 heels if I'm not mistaken? They're nowhere near as monstrous as those though.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 2:50PM

my ankles suddenly feel cold... i kind of want them

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 2:55PM

they were on the runway at chanel, and also at maison martin margiela.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 3:17PM

This is as bad as the contrived leather jackets with attached sweatshirt hoodies that everyone in WeHo loves so much. ;)

Sara from ecosalon.com

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 3:36PM

Glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks these shoes are absolutely hideous. And, um, if the trend really was "started" by Lindsay Lohan, as one of the commentators above pointed out, isn't that even more of an incentive to avoid this "trend" like the plague?

posted by Lenore

Jun 12, 2008 4:39PM

These are funny. I could never do it, but I guess someone can pull them off!

Lenore

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 5:19PM

yeah not a fan of these, they killed whitney ports outfit.

posted by hannah

Jun 12, 2008 5:38PM

I like these in general, but I don't like the ones pictured!

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 5:44PM

totally disagree, i think there are girls out there who can rock these.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 6:28PM

I know why you would wear these shoes because I always encounter this problem.

After a long day at work wearing socks and shoes I change into shorts and sandals to go out and de-stress. except problem!: My socks have left an indentation in my leg which is embarrassing.

These shoes are made to cover that sock indentation.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 7:21PM

i;ve had a pair knocking off the chanel ones since 06. i love them, they are unexpected and really change an outfit.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 7:49PM

they make me think of the Chanel s/s 06 sandals
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2006RTW/detail/thumb/CHANEL

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 10:46PM

guest at 6:28, i laughed so hard. i love the idea that these sandals were created to cover sock indentation!

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 10:48PM

I think that as a joke, designers and buyers put out one item like this each season so as to easily identify the fashion victims among us (see also: open toe boots). Just because Chanel does a pair or Lindsay wore a pair does NOT make them fashionable OR flattering.
And for the commenter who said they would be great for covering up ankles you do not like - these will only make your cankles worse.
Ugh, hearing/reading people defend ridiculous trends like this almost puts me in a bad mood, which is sad because fashion is usually so fun.

posted by guest

Jun 12, 2008 11:55PM

respectfully disagree witht he article, half the ppl that commented on not liking these will end up wearing them at some point

posted by guest

Jun 13, 2008 6:26AM

That particular pair are a cross between the Margiela ones and the Prada sandals with ankle cuffs. Personally I like them, and seeing as they're from Topshop, I think the make perfect sense for the non-summer we're currently having in the UK. But obviously, like most catwalk ripoffs, it's not something that will look good on everyone. I still think they're a million times better than the grubby flip flops everyone seems to insist on wearing though.

posted by alegra

Jun 13, 2008 7:08AM

well i have a weird idea but i THINK these might be so popular because everybody finds it cute how boots can look too wide on your legs, i cant explain it correctly. but maybe this is the reason why these sandals were created, to get the look of a bit of leather being too wide around your ankles, even in the summer.
strange i know. just a wild guess.
i find what i was trying to explain cute as well, but these sandals are pretty much nasty.

posted by guest

Jun 13, 2008 12:21PM

oh! i think they are the most impractical pair of footwear ever! these...sandals wannabe boots wannabe something? eeeurgh! hideous!

"oh darling! where did your ankles go? was the pair of sandals so hungry that it ate your ankles?"

posted by tala

Jun 13, 2008 4:54PM

i was at the topshop in tel aviv and the salesgirl told me that bar rafael just bought these...!

posted by messyrose

Jun 14, 2008 7:27AM

Um as for those particular shoes, they're ugly. What are they? Suade? How's the colour? Not a good choice ladies.

I on the otherhand have a pair, very similar style to that by Hugo Boss in black leather.

I recieve many compliments (toe nail polish is a must - plum works well!)

They're hot! Check 'em out.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001ASOQM4/ref=nosim/?tag=nextag-shoes01-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B001ASOQM4&linkCode=asn

posted by guest

Jun 14, 2008 11:36PM

they are probably a god-send for girls with cankles.

posted by guest

Jun 15, 2008 6:06PM

maison martin margiela has what is maybe the chicest of them all: http://www.eluxury.com/estore/browse/product_detail.jsp;jsessionid=A0TZBYZP1DFZCCRDSZAE3NQKEOLDO2NC?id=11785544
The cuff is large enough to still show down into your ankles (and not make you sweaty). I've seen someone wearing these in a tan color, and they were hot.