WHOEVER would have imagined that foot wear traditionally associated with the unfashionable and uninspired should suddenly become an essential element in this summer's wardrobe? But such is the case with sensible sandals, for as long as anyone can remember the preferred choice of the sartorially hopeless. Just lately, however, sandals of the kind formerly only purchased by those for whom comfort took precedence over every other concern have been deemed highly desirable. At the menswear shows in Paris earlier this month, for example, it was hard to find a model stepping out on the catwalk in anything else.
Original of the species and probably still the best are these wood exercise sandals from Scholl. With their anatomical footbed and adjustable leather strap, they're wonderfully easy to wear during warm weather, and the tough beech sole makes them almost endlessly durable. White is probably the smartest colour to buy right now but they come in other shades too and cost £26.99 for both men and women. So you can look the height of fashion and, for once, suffer absolutely no ill effects from so doing. Just don't be caught teaming these sandals with a pair of socks - that combination is still considered a catastrophe.