Sandals are an open type of footwear consisting of asole held to the wearer'sfoot by straps that go over theinstep and around theankle. Sandals may also feature a heel of varying heights. While the distinction between sandals and other types of footwear can sometimes be unclear (as withhuaraches—the woven leather footwear from Mexico—and peep-toe pumps), sandals are generally understood to leave most of the foot exposed.
People choose to wear sandals for several reasons, including comfort in warm weather, economic benefits (sandals typically require less material than closed shoes and are easier to manufacture), and as afashion statement. Sandals are commonly worn in warmer climates or during warmer seasons to keep feet cool and dry. The open design reduces the risk of developingathlete's foot compared to enclosedshoes, and wearing sandals may be part of thetreatment regimen for such infections.
TheEnglish wordsandal derives fromMiddle Frenchsandale, which came from theLatinsandalium. The word first appeared inMiddle English assandalies.[1][2] The Latin term itself derived fromGreeksandálion (σανδάλιον), thediminutive ofsándalon (σάνδαλον), though the ultimate origin remains uncertain.[1] In Greek, the names referred to particular styles of women's sandals rather than being the general word for the category of footwear. Similarly, in Latin, the name was also used forslippers, the more common term forRoman sandals beingsolea, whence Englishsole. The English wordssand andsandalwood are bothfalse cognates.
Esparto sandals from the6th or5th millennium BC found inSpain.Pair of ancient vegetable fiber sandals from Egypt.Girl wearing sandals held to the feet by both thong and straps.
Straw shoes, sometimes in the form of sandals and sometimes carbatinae, were ubiquitousChinese footwear in antiquity.[citation needed]
InAncient Greece,sandalia proper were a kind of sandal principally worn by women.[6] Thesole was made of wood, cork, or leather and the upper chiefly consisted of a strap between the big toe and second toe and another around the ankle.[6] The sandal ofHomer was thepédīlon (πέδῑλον).[7][8] By theClassical Period, the general term for sandals washypódēma (ὑπόδημα).[8] Most forms included a strap across the toes (ζυγός,zygós), another strap between the big and second toe, and a third across theinstep (lingula); this last was frequently made with metal shaped like a heart or leaf.[8] Therhaḯdia (ῥαΐδια) extended the straps of the sandal up the calf.[8] Some Greek sandals—like the women'styrrēniká (τυρρηνικά)—employed wooden soles.[8] The effeminatebaxea (πάξεια,páxeia) was usually made ofwillow leaves, twigs, or fibers and was associated withcomic actors andphilosophers.[9] Thetragedians wore thecothurnus (κόθορνος,kóthornos), sandal-likeboots that rose above the midcalf and typically incorporatedplatform soles that led to others wearing them to appear taller.[10] By theHellenistic Period, some sandals show evidence of extreme ornamentation. One found from the settlements inGreek Crimea was aplatform design with 12 separate layers in its sole and gold decoration.[8]
Due to the general discomfort of the typicalupper-classcalceus, it became standard practice inancient Rome to change into sandals (solea orcrepida) orslippers when at home. It was considered unusual thatAugustus seldom followed this custom. However, wearing comfortable shoes in public was deemed effeminate, and criticism of this habit was commonly used as an insult by politicians and writers.[8] Notable figures includingScipio the Elder,Verres,Antony,Germanicus, andCaligula were all specifically criticized for this practice. This social stigma persisted until at least the reign ofHadrian.[8] Because shoes were removed when reclining on couches to dine, it was normal to wear slippers or sandals to meals even at other houses. Due to this social stigma, when alitter carried byslaves was unavailable for transport between houses, proper etiquette required walking to the destination wearingcalcei while carrying the indoor footwear under one's arm. Guests would then change shoes in the entryway before having slaves remove their dining footwear in the dining room.[8]
In his autobiographyEdward Carpenter told how sandals came to be made in England:
While in IndiaHarold Cox went in [18]85 or [18]86 for a tour inCashmere, and from Cashmere he sent me a pair of Indian sandals. I had asked him, before he went out, to send some likely pattern of sandals, as I felt anxious to try some myself. I soon found the joy of wearing them. And after a little time I set about making them. I got two or three lessons from W. Lill, a bootmaker friend inSheffield, and soon succeeded in making a good many pairs for myself and various friends. Since then the trade has grown into quite a substantial one. G. Adams took it up atMillthorpe in 1889; making, I suppose, about a hundred or more pairs a year; and since his death it has been carried on at the Garden City,Letchworth.[11]
A sandal may feature asole constructed from various materials includingrubber,leather,wood,tatami, orrope. The sole is typically secured to the foot either by a narrow thong that passes between the first and second toe, or by straps or laces (variously called latchets, sabot straps, or sandal straps) that cross over the arch of the foot or wrap around the ankle. Sandals may optionally include aheel of varying heights (from low tohigh) and may feature heel straps for additional security.
Fisherman sandal is a type of T-bar sandal originally for men and boys. The toes are enclosed by a number of leather bands interwoven with the central length-wise strap that lies along the instep. An adjustable cross strap or bar is fastened with a buckle. The heel may be fully enclosed or secured by a single strap joined to the cross strap. The style appears to have originated in France.
Flip-flops (called thongs in Australia) are typically cheap and suitable for beach, pool, or locker room wear
Geta, a classical Japanese form of elevated thong, traditionally ofcryptomeria wood; the crosspiece is referred to as aha, which translates totooth
Grecian sandal, sandals fromGreece andSalento (Italy), a (generally flat or low) sole attached to the foot by interlaced straps crossing the toes and instep, and fastening around the ankle. A similar style is sometimes calledgladiator sandal
High-heeled sandal, a type of sandal with an elevated heel. They allow the wearer to have an open shoe while being less casual or more formal, depending on the style of the sandal.
Hiking andtrekking sandals are designed for hiking or trekking in hot and tropical climates, usually using robust rubber outsole, suitable for any terrain, and softerEVA or Super EVA foam insole. These sandals are usually shaped to support the arched contour of the foot. The straps are usually made of polyester or nylon webbing for quick drying after exposure to water and to minimize perspiration.[13] Also suitable for many other adventure sports and activities where quick drying and reduced perspiration is required, including rafting, traveling, paragliding, skydiving.
Ho Chi Minh sandals is one name for a homemade orcottage industry footwear, the soles cut from an old automobile tire and the straps cut from an inner tube. Made and worn in many countries, they became wider known in the US as worn by the rural people of Indochina during theVietnam War, leading to the name.
Jelly sandals orjelly shoes were originally a version of the classic fisherman sandal made in PVC plastic. They were invented in 1946 by Frenchman Jean Dauphant in response to a post-war leather shortage. Later designs featured translucent soft plastic in bright colours; hence the later name of jelly sandals or jellies. Recently, a whole range of styles have been produced in this material, mainly for women and girls, but the classic unisex design remains popular.
Paduka are the ancient (the time of theRamayana) Indian toe-knob sandals. They are not really worn on a daily basis now except by monks or for ceremonial purposes.[19]
Patten, a type of oversized clog often with a wooden sole or metal device to elevate the foot and increase the wearer's height or aid in walking in mud
Roman sandal, a sandal held to the foot by avamp composed of a series of equally spaced, buckled straps
Saltwater sandals, a flat sandal developed in the 1940s as a way of coping with wartime leather shortages, primarily worn by children
Soft foam sandals, invented in 1973, are made from closed-cell soft foam and uses surgical tubing for the straps. They are sold primarily along the Texas Gulf Coast in beach side gift shops.
Strappy sandals, open footwear characterized by multiple straps that secure the sole to the foot
T-bar sandals, primarily for children, with an enclosed heel and toe. It is fastened by a cross-wise strap or bar secured by a buckle, or more recently by Velcro. A length-wise strap extends from the vamp and joins the cross-strap over the arch of the foot to form a T shape. A common variant has two cross-straps. The toe is often pierced with a pattern of holes or slots. The sole is low-heeled and usually of crepe rubber, stitched-down to the upper. First seen in Europe and America in the early 20th century, by the 1950s they were very common for boys and girls up to their teens, but are now mainly worn by much younger children.[20] This style or similar styles are also called "Mary Jane" shoes.
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