Believe It Or Not, They’re Aerosoles
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My general rule for toe-show in New York City is:don’t. Not because I think feet are unsightly, but because it’s potentially dangerous. There are simply too many stompy people, aggressive cyclists (including one who ran over my foot and then yelled at me as if it was my fault), and mysterious puddles that await exposed feet. And yet, I still crave the well-ventilated sleekness of asandal.
When I do show toe, I tend to favor thick platform soles that give me a wee bit of elevation away from the grime of the pavement. These styles can often be like walking around on two bricks: heavy and unyielding, making walking a challenge. That is, until I tried Aerosoles platformsandals. I was always aware of the brand, but never really thought of shopping there until an influencer friend posted about a collab with it two years ago. When I saw it, I thought,Oh, Aerosoles actually has cute stuff.(Sorry for the “actually”, Aerosoles, I didn’t know your game.) I bought a croc-patterned, black-leather, lug-soled, Tevas-esque pair of sandals and wore them to death. They were a casual-to-semi-fancy style that worked for café meetings, after-work dinners, and those days when the weather encourages you to wander into every little shop you pass on a walk. The soles were flexible, the straps soft and padded, and there was elastic where there needed to be for walking long distances. RIP, those sandals.
This year, looking for something similar, I found Aerosoles’Faithsandals: black-leather slides with two thick parallel straps, chunky silver buckles, and a two-inch platform. And then, I spotted theFez, the non-slide version with thick crossed straps across the vamp and an ankle strap for extra security, again with that same spaceship badge of a silver buckle. I bought them both to try on, figuring I’d like one more and return the other.
When they arrived, both pairs were like walking on a cloud (one of which just had an extra seat belt). They were flexible and fit my foot’s natural bend, lightweight, and the straps didn’t cut or rub blisters into my feet. Both styles fulfilled my sandal criteria: black leather (goes with everything), minimal and unfussy, with sleek and bold silver hardware. They made me feel very Olsen-esque. As I considered which pair to keep, the Cardi B–voiced angel on my shoulder cooed:I can get ’em both, I don’t wanna choose. Also, Aerosoles imposes a $10 return-label fee — enough of a deterrent for me to keep both pairs. So I did — and I’m not mad about it!
Since then, I’ve worn my Faith and Fezsandalsany time our false spring bestowed us with a precipitation-free day over 65 degrees. They’ve taken me on errands and out to dinner, and I packed them for a trip to Miami. Truthfully, most times I’ve left my house and was too lazy to put on socks, I was wearing these. They’re also compliment magnets, with the added plot twist where I get to tell folks, “They’re from Aerosoles!” So far, I know two people who ordered them after I posted an outfit wearing them on an Instagram Story. And with Aerosoles’ frequent sales, both pairs were less than $100 each — my other criteria for shoes that are only appropriate for one season of the year.
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