The Cheap Strappy Sandals I Scored for $15

Let me preface by saying that I've been on a months-long search for the perfect pair of strappy sandals. So this recent affordable find of mine felt like a personal victory. My search started all the way back in February when I spotted the first few iterations of my dream sandals hitting the market. Last fall, strappy sandals flooded the S/S 18 runways, so I had an inkling that they would become a major shoe trend this season, and I was fully prepared to test-drive the style.

I won't lie though—I had a pretty specific idea in mind for the style I was after. Have you ever seen a fashion item on someone else and suddenly felt the need to hunt down a near-exact version of it ASAP? Such was the urgent nature of my sandal search. I wanted a pair of cheap strappy sandals that had a low heel, were tied around the ankle, and ideally had a toe-hugging feature (another big summer sandal trend). It was a tall order, especially considering I was searching for my summer sandals months before summer was on anyone's mind. I ended up trying three different versions of them, each of them falling short of my high standards. Then my dream pair finally manifested in the form of a pair at Forever 21 that was on sale. What's more was that they could be mine for less than a typical lunch order. You can be sure I hit "order" on them as fast as my Wi-Fi would allow.

Now my dream sandals and I are about to spend a very happy summer together from vacations to the office and back again. The image above is just one of the many outfits I'm styling with my Forever 21 pair. Just below, shop the sandals for yourself (while they're no longer on sale for $15, I promise they're still very affordable). And further down, shop the cheap strappy sandals that check most, if not all, of the hyperspecific boxes on my dream summer sandal checklist.

Shop my sandals:

The style is extra dreamy paired with a breezy printed dress. Make this outfit combo one of your go-tos for the next few months.

See what I mean? A white pair will freshen up summer's prettiest prints.

Opt for a low heel that will take you effortlessly from day to night.

A strappy pair that doesn't feature an ankle tie situation is perfect for more casual days.

The Man Repeller herself is a fan, so what's not to love?

Now you've found an affordable way to nail this summer's strappy sandal trend.