April 28, 2025, 4:24 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

This year, alongside Crocs and flip-flops, another shoe trend has emerged: “fisherman sandals.” These somewhat chunky summer shoes are the perfect companions for various summer events due to their sturdy yet airy design. STYLEBOOK offers tips on how to style these fashionable sandals.

“Fisherman Sandals” — the Comfortable Summer Shoes with Retro Flair

They are chunky, a bit masculine, and definitely the star of any outfit. The thick soles of fisherman sandals combined with the lattice made of thick leather straps make them the perfect, robust, and chunky summer shoe because they are also particularly airy. The chunky look of the shoes fits perfectly with other trends of recent years: chunky sneakers, even chunkier boots, and platform sandals. Fisherman sandals are definitely back. On the fashion search engine “Stylight,” demand for the shoe trend has increased by a whopping 276 percent. And there are many outfits that pair well with the sandals. More on that shortly.

The History of “Fisherman Sandals”

Let’s first look at the history of the shoes that give them their retro flair. The shoes actually originate from fishermen. They were originally worn by fishermen in Mediterranean regions because they were practical and ventilated. They provided a firm grip on slippery and wet surfaces. The thick sole also protected feet from the dangers of sharp objects like shells or stones. During the Roman Empire, visually similar sandals were widespread and designed to be equally robust and functional. Early on, fisherman sandals were offered in different materials, just as they are today!

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How to Style the Shoe?

The shoe is as versatile and easy to style as a sneaker. Fisherman sandals are suitable for long walks, a city stroll (because the shoes are much more comfortable than they initially seem due to their thick sole), or dinner. They can also be worn on the beach during vacations, especially if the beach is more rocky than sandy. The shoe is truly an all-rounder. Its closed form also makes it a suitable companion for the warm festival summer, as one often faces the question: open shoes and dirty feet or closed shoes and risk sweating?

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From Designer Brands to Fast Fashion — the Sandal Is Everywhere Right Now

The shoe is robust enough to withstand any festival but still lets feet breathe. And thanks to the leather look, they are easier to clean than any fabric shoe. Additionally, the shoes offer a perfect contrast to girly and summery dresses, skirts, and playful blouses. Currently, the shoes are mostly seen in fashion stores in rather simple colors like black, white, or brown. But if you prefer something less simple and want to upgrade the chunky shoes a bit more, you can check out designer brands like Prada, which have added platform soles to the shoe model, making them even chunkier.