The unexpected shoe style is taking over—so here are 12 pairs to try.
Words by Halie LeSavage
Ask a fashion insider to name the “it” shoe of summer 2022, and you might expect a name-check for Versace’s towering satin sandals or a Y2k-esque platform flip-flop. But the shoe we’re actually most excited to wear is a little less glamorous, if far more versatile: the fisherman sandal.
Fisherman sandals made their way back into the conversation via summer collections from Prada, Max Mara, and Celine, among others. They have a classic bent with basket-woven uppers in neutral tones, remixed by designers with heavy-duty rubber or platform soles (or both, in Prada’s case). Their appeal starts with their wearability: Most fisherman sandals are cushioned and flat, and lined leather straps you could walk miles in—but only if you really wanted put them to the test.
More crucially for us at BAZAAR, fisherman sandals bring a “true fashion-led edge” to summer outfits, according to Net-a-Porter senior market editor Libby Page. “I love how this nostalgic and masculine shoe has been given a minimalist makeover,” she tells us, citing pairs from The Row and Roger Vivier as emblematic of the low-key nautical look.
When it comes to styling fisherman sandals, there’s one golden rule. “Keeping things simple with this chunky style is key,” Page recommends. She suggests a few outfit formulas for incorporating them into your wardrobe: “They work best when styled with a white wide leg pant and a simple blue shirt, or a boxy chino short and white tank top.”
Of course, you can also wear them with flowing dresses or matching beach sets—the following 12 pairs are so wearable, they’ll become your go-to summer shoe.
Gaia Woven Leather Sandals
THE ROWWe asked Page to send a few of her favorite fisherman sandal styles; her list started with The Row’s minimalist pair. The thick straps and chunky but not overwhelming sole are both supportive and stylish—and the pebbled leather will develop a gorgeous patina through each wear.
