The Flat Pack
Active, Sharp & Everything in Between aka The Hybrid.
If you’re like us, it’s time to put the cooler days behind you and embrace the arrival of warmer weather. As for which footwear rises to this occasion? The summer forecast calls for sandals. They quite literally can take you from the beach to the office with a cheeky stop-off on the dancefloor. All the while looking pretty damn fine.
For SS22, we’re celebrating creativity and movement in true Radical Yes style. That means keeping things active and sharp.
When we talk about active, these are durable sandals you gravitate towards because of their casual, laidback appeal that feels just as good as it looks. Think ‘on your feet at work all day’ followed by a cross-town commute. A supportive partner to dress down your tailoring.
Sharp shoes are those toe-tappers that look polished and refined but provide just the right amount of cushioning and support. They allude to that dressed up feeling even when the rest of your outfit isn’t. And yes, you guessed it - with a hybrid you can have both at once. Not too active, not too sharp, but a healthy balance that can’t be labelled (no heeled trainers allowed). Of course, all three styles can be worn equally well with smart getups or chilled out track pants (because #covid), but each has a purpose to serve you better in real life.
Now, let us introduce you to three stellar styles for summer that capture each mood.
Active-Wear - The Space Jam sandals.
More active, less sharp. For don’t care days. For getting it done days. This is a summer sandal alternative to your trusty sneakers.
Our focus for the season has been lightness and ease of wear, creating commuter friendly sandals that women love to wear every other day.
On that note, enter Space Jam.
This athletic-inspired hiking sandal is designed for walking and cross-city commuting with serious style points.
Inspired by movement, the 2-piece outsole is layered for comfort and durability, while ripple detailing provides grip for navigating a rainy day.
The insole features a moulded footbed with arch support to help relieve pressure and add bouncy spring to the heel strike.
Plus, it’s swathed in sweat-resistant microsuede for breathability. That’s not all. Three easy-to-adjust velcro straps give lots of wiggle room so they fit like a glove - exactly why they’re loved by all foot shapes, from wide to narrow, low and high arches.
As for durability, each strap is finished with leather tabs and hiking-inspired accents. These chunky sandals are calling out to be worn on weekends and getaways.
The thicker silhouette works with all hemlines from midi dresses to mini skirts and even short shorts. Play up to the active mood by pairing with printed tees tucked into denim minis or kick-flare jeans.
A camp collar shirt and culottes with a silk sock will strike just the right balance of hiker meets city slicker. But we also love to use them to dress down a silk slip dress.
The tangerine and aquatic colours evoke the playfulness, creativity and fluidity of the season which we’re also reminded of by the 'Daisy Dreams Forever' sentiment on the strap - your cue to stay forever young.
Shop the range of Radical Yes Sandals.
So Sharp - The Solstice Sandals.
More sharp, less active. Solstice is the love child of our Olympia loafer and Arkestra sandal, giving it all the traits of a sharp and radical sandal. They’re shaped to a fisherman silhouette with a plenitude of straps à la rib cage style.
This may be our summer guide, but the caged lattice-work offers the perfect amount of coverage for these sandals to be worn pretty much year-round. It covers the majority of the foot, making them seem more like a shoe even though they’re de facto sandals.
Potentially the best part? If you’ve no time for a pedi, no worries, there’s a closed toe so we’ve pretty much thought of everything.
Looks aside, bike riders especially love these long-lasting sandals because of their sole. The rubber LUG outsole is made using our bespoke mould, with indents for traction that can endure heavy abrasion wear (like pushing off on the bike). It bounces like a sneaker, making them fit for the pavement, dance floor or beach - all occasions, remember?
The adjustable buckles work wonders for both wide and narrow feet and because the sandals are easy to slip into, you can happily weather a pair of socks (a look we love). Socks and sandals, sandals and socks - so wrong, it’s right.
But you don’t have to wait for the first chill to hit your toes, merino wool socks are temperature regulating to keep you cool when it’s hot but warm when it’s cold.
Alongside the soft and anti-sweat sheepskin lining of Solstice, there’s no convincing required: these are the summer sandals that aren’t simply for summer.
And since you loved our ‘Ice Blue’ hue so much (AW22 vibes), it continues for spring/summer as the perfect way to wear serious clothes - think androngynous suits or feminine dresses - without them feeling too serious. Of course, classic black is also being served up.
See all the sandals here.
Hybrid Hottie - The Sophia sandal.
Active meets sharp. The Sophia sandals are considered both active and sharp in equal measure.
That means flexible and comfortable for all-day wear yet sharp enough for dress ups. These Roman-inspired sandals really flatter the foot.
They have straps in all the right places with hidden elastic to suit any foot shape. Even the narrowest of feet can feel secure thanks to the buckle strap that protects fragile ankles from the pressures of urban life.
These strappy numbers speak to our iconic Declaration T-Bar sandal. They’re moulded to the same design but raised slightly higher from the heel to the ball of the foot for a soft, cushioned landing.
The sturdy ripple sole adds grip while feeling soft enough to pound the pavement with ease, taking you everywhere, from city walks to summer adventures. And that silhouette?
Flat shoe liberation means we’re seeing these quietly elevated sandals as an actively sharp alternative to your heels this summer.
“Wear them to parties, galleries and anywhere in between for an ‘OMG, THEY ARE SO COMFORTABLE’ gasp, every time.”
They pair beautifully with feminine floaty dresses or man-style dressing aka blazers, crisp button-ups and black pants.
