This rigorous search happens each summer. The quest for the absolutely perfect tan sandal that’s comfortable, cute, and goes with all the summer outfits I wear on repeat.
The Tan Wedge Sandals For All My Summer Outfits
Tan sandals are an essential in my closet — they don’t feel as heavy as black sandals, are more versatile than bold colored or patterned sandals, and are easier to keep clean, and feel more grounded and natural than white sandals. Some summers I find “the one” pair, some summers I don’t. This summer I found eight.
I truly couldn’t decide until the VERY last minute which comfortable tan sandals I was going to feature in this post, so I have to at least give honorable mentions to them all.
Pick A Comfortable Tan Sandal
FitFlop Platform Wedge Slides: My Top Tan Summer Sandal Pick
Wedge Slides | Dress | AAKS Bag
The FitFlop Remi Platform Wedge Slides add a little oomph to all my simple summer outfits and feel very “me.” I tend to gravitate toward the clunky, comfy-with-interesting-detail sandal options. The Remi also uses my favorite FitFlop footbed (similar to my beloved Lulus). My feet ALWAYS pick this type of FitFlop in summer if “they” are in charge. So super cushy — like you’re walking on marshmallows –but still supportive enough to walk the city all day. I still have several pairs of FitFlops in my summer rotation from years and years ago. I really like the tan slide version, but they also come in black and sunshine yellow, and a slingback option featuring five different colors.
How I’m Wearing My Comfy Tan Sandals
The other half of this post, “How I’m Wearing My Comfortable Tan Sandals This Summer,” was much easier than picking my very favorite tan sandal. Basics with fun summer bags of course — pretty much my uniform for EVERY single summer. All eight pairs of tan sandals I tried looked equally as good with my three summer go-to outfits, so if FitFlops aren’t your thing, just switch out one of the other cute and comfy sandal options.
Slides | White Tee | Denim | Crochet Tote | Black Dress | Colorful Bag | White Dress | Belt Bag | Earrings | Sunnies 1 | Sunnies 2
1. Tan Sandals With Jeans & A White Tee
You guys know I’m a huge MOTHER denim fan. The fit, the styles, the wash. Many MOTHER denim fans will agree…they’re an investment, but once you start wearing them it’s difficult to wear anything else. If I was given a choice between one pair of MOTHERS and four pairs of another brand, I would pick MOTHERS every single time. These are the darker wash of the light wash Tomcats many of us have and love. Size up, though…I’m usually a 28 in MOTHER denim but sized up to 29 in these. They were snug in the morning, but after a couple of hours were perfectly slouchy.
Wedge Slides | Denim | Tee | Crochet Tote | Earrings
While we’re on the topic of favorites, let’s talk about my new favorite white tee. The lines and cut are clean and simple (FRAME does this so well) and the low V provides just enough interest to make it stand out from my other basic white tees. If you want a more dramatic low V, size up. I’m wearing an XS here.
A quick shout out to this fabulous crochet tote as well. It can fit ALL the summer things (comes in five different colors). I looked at the black too, and it’s super pretty in person. A more artistic, higher quality crochet and material than many of the straw bags out there.
Wedge Slides | Denim | Tee | Crochet Tote | Earrings
2. Tan Sandals With An Airy Black Maxi Dress
A black maxi and a black jumpsuit are summer outfit must-haves in my closet. I’ve been searching for a designer who carries that cloud-soft cotton gauze that I love wearing on hot days, and finally found one. Michael Stars is it! This dress is like wearing a dreamy cloud. I LOVE these types of dresses that barely touch my body. On super hot days, I can NOT wear anything form-fitting, so these types of oversized shapeless dresses are my favorite. The dress does fit big (I’m wearing an xs) but as I said…I like that oversized drapey feel in summer. Wearing my fav strapless bra underneath, but also looks good over a bandeau bra.
Wedge Slides | Dress | AAKS Bag | Earrings
Wedge Slides | Dress | AAKS Bag | Earrings
Add A Bright Handbag
Shana and I are both THRILLED that Nordstrom is now carrying AAKS bags — Black-owned AND sustainable. Artfully created with bold shapes and colors, they are VERY special, and they make any basic outfit sing! I adore the color combo of this one.
Wedge Slides | Dress | AAKS Bag | Earrings
3. Tan Sandals With A White Linen Mini
For me, Reformation dresses are often reserved for vacation with the hubs only…many are on the VERY sexy side. This white linen mini though, is one of my new favorite summer pieces, and it earns extra points for Reformation’s commitment to sustainable fashion. It’s one of those superstar dresses that can be worn with sneaks and a tote for errands, heels and a fancy bag for a night out, or flip flops and a beach bag for the shore. I’m wearing a size 6 here. Wearing my fav strapless bra underneath, but also looks good over a bandeau bra.
Wedge Slides | Dress | Bag | Earrings
Add A Crossbody Bag
Am I the last one to join the party with this new-to-me bag brand Mercado Global? A nonprofit that works with rural Latin American Women to become independent entrepreneurs, they make absolutely beautiful lightweight bags in cotton and leather in practical shapes and sizes for summer. Although their beach bags are lovely and practical, I especially love this smaller belt bag that has a detachable strap, so I can switch it out for different crossbody and shoulder straps.
…And Some Cool Earrings
I’ve been wearing these simple earrings from Black-owned business SOKO for over a year now, but I have these more dramatic earrings and this bracelet set on their way to me. I’m planning on wearing both with all three of these summer repeat outfits.
Wedge Slides | Dress | Bag | Earrings
A huge thank you to Nordstrom & ShopStyle Collective for sponsoring this post. Nordstrom just happens to carry all my favorite comfort shoe brands AND many of my favorite summer uniform basics, so when they reached out to collaborate it was an easy decision for me to feature both! As most of you know, Nordstrom makes one-stop-shopping super easy with their convenient returns, order online and pickup in-store/curbside options, and great customer service. Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to share my top picks!
-Linzi
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Linzi, you are seriously the cutest! I love all of these looks, but especially that black dress! It’s so perfect for summer! Love all of these accessories, too! Thank you for this article!
Awww. Thank you, Elizabeth. You know I think of you every time I write a comfort shoe post and wonder if the gorgeous high-heel queen will ever approve of any of my selections. Ha! I think we do see eye-to-eye on accessories, though and some comfy summer pieces, so I’ll take that. Thanks for the comment, Elizabeth…always appreciate it. 🙂
I was just looking at that Reformation Dress. We are going to Key West and I’m thinking I might need to take that dress with me. Are you loving that dress?
It is not a typical dress for me…I’m usually drawn to black or bright color dresses…BUT I fell in love with this one when I saw it and it feels so practical for hot hot summer. And simple enough that I can easily pair it with my typical fun accessories or with my straw bags. It feels great on and although the linen wrinkles…I’m with Shana on this…the wrinkles just feel lived in and comfortable (like my linen sheets), and I’m fine with that. It’s definitely going to be packed for any tropical vacations we take in the future (as I said in the post…works for swimsuit cover-up, date night, or day outings). My biggest concern would be that it’s white, so may get dirty…but linen is easier to spot clean than many other fabrics. The bow ties do show a bit more skin in the chest area than I’m used to, but the ties for some reason make it feel less revealing and can be tighter or looser depending on the look you want. So I guess that’s my very long answer saying yes…I AM loving it. Does that help? Let me know if you have any other specific questions. 🙂
I was looking at that Reformation Dress recently…thinking of purchasing it for a trip to Key West. How does it fit? Are you loving it?
I have a terrible tan sandal problem. It’s the only color I go for. These are all so great, especially the fit flops. Help….I’m obsessed.
How walkable are the Madrid Birkenstocks? I worry they won’t work for all day
Good question. If I’m truly walking ALL day, I go with my Fitflops. I wore those at Disney several summers ago and was totally happy. OR…I wear fashion sneaks with a pair of SuperFeet insoles inside. But walking a few miles running errands in the city walking much of the day, I absolutely wear my Madrids. I will say…my black Madrids took a few days to break-in…I got blisters where my skin hit the strap, but my brown ones were comfortable and didn’t rub blisters at all the first time I wore them. So…it kind of depends on what your feet are used to I think. The Madrids are supportive but like other Birks arent’ cushiony. Does that help??
I had already bought the Vince flip flops in Forest based on a previous post on jeans in which you were wearing them and I LOVE them. Thank you. I got my true size (11) and a size down (10) and the 10 was perfection. Now I ordered these Remis in both sizes to see if they are also fabulous. You are my shoe and jean guru. I can keep both and use the Vince as a sort of “nicer” option and the Fitflops as a more “everyday” option for the summer if they work for me. Can’t really beat the price.
YAY! I’m so glad you love the Vinces…in person they really do just make everything look so stylish, right? Hope you like the FitFlops too…I’ve been wearing mine pretty much daily since they arrived. And yay for great shoes on sale too! Thanks for writing in, Amy…appreciate it.