"Tourist Sandals" Are the 2019 Shoe Trend You'll Have to Get Used To

We'd be lying if we said you're going to be instantaneously obsessed with this shoe trend. Hence the title. It's going to take some getting used to. The S/S 19 collections presented last September showed us a lot of things. Some were glamorous, some were nostalgic, and others were downright confusing. "Tourist sandals" were undeniably among the confusing set. The rubbery soles and unflattering straps were all our eyes could focus on whenever they were present, and we couldn't help but wonder how the general public would respond.

The good thing about the fashion crowd is that they love a good controversy. Giant dad sneakers? Down. Laura Ingalls Wilder dresses? Done. Sandals that look like they belong on a tourist walking around Disneyland with three fanny packs on and a map open? Definitely. We know; we know. We haven't been packaging this shoe trend in the most positive light, but that's because we're confused about it ourselves. We know this trend is "cool" in the sartorial world, but will it hold its own out there among all the people who don't know who Sandy Liang is and who still don't understand why someone would pay more than $30 on a pair of shoes? Who's to say?

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(Image credit: ImaxTree; Sandy Liang S/S19)

There is one thing we know for certain: If you're reading this, you probably love fashion, and you're probably willing to take risks and push boundaries, which is why we love you. With that said, this is a shoe trend you'll have to get used to. Whether you hate it now and love it later or vice versa, the tourist sandal trend is more than just a trend. It's a movement. And in case it wasn't clear, we are here for it fully. 

Go on to see this 2019 shoe trend on the runway and Instagram, and then shop our favorite styles. 

During Fashion Week

The S/S 19 collections are what proved to editors, It girls, and celebrities alike that these sporty sandals were officially a thing. Some of the coolest designers in the industry, both up-and-comers like Collina Strada and veterans like Dries Van Noten, topped off look after look with this kind-of-quirky, kind-of-cool sandal trend. 

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Sandy Liang
(Image credit: ImaxTree)

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Area
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Collina Strada
(Image credit: ImaxTree)

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Anna Sui
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Nanushka
(Image credit: ImaxTree)

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Sacai
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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Dries Van Noten
(Image credit: ImaxTree)

On Instagram

Not too long after the buzz of this new, weird footwear trend began, influencers and fashion girls took to documenting these tourist sandals left and right on the 'gram. Whether it was the excitement of spotting the latest footwear staple at luxury fashion houses like Chanel or finally seeing how someone would style the shoes IRL via influencers forward takes, this spring trend stirred up quite a lot of emotions—both good and bad. 

A photo posted by on

A photo posted by on

A photo posted by on

A photo posted by on

A photo posted by on

Shop Our Picks

Believe it or not, we're already seeing ample amounts of tourist sandals pop up on a variety of retail sites. While Teva is the clear leader of the pack in terms of price and It-girl approval, you'll be pleasantly surprised to see the curation of options we've shopped out for you below. 

Next up, discover five winter style tips for petite girls

Editorial Director

Lauren Eggertsen is currently the editorial director of Who What Wear and has worked at the company for over eight years, where she started as an associate editor and has since worked her way up. Lauren has over 10 years of experience in the fashion editorial space, starting her career with internships at Marc Jacobs, Marie Claire, and The Zoe Report, where she was later hired as their editorial assistant. Lauren has worked in the Los Angeles and New York Who What Wear offices but currently calls L.A. home. It is here where she leads and manages Who What Wear's fashion team and oversees all day-to-day editorial content and large tentpole moments. This includes all of the runway, trend, and shopping-driven content that ultimately helps to build a strong brand reputation within the industry. Lauren's role also includes helping to set the fashion direction for all original photo shoots and often styles many of the celebrity cover shoots, including big names like Kaia Gerber, Normani, and Kristen Stewart.

She has also attended multiple fashion weeks, including New York, London, Milan, and Paris, where her personal style has been featured on sites such as Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Elle. She prides herself on discovering and supporting small brands and on her knack for a good vintage shopping find. When she isn't working, she enjoys researching and dining at reputable restaurants around both her neighborhood and the globe.