Living in New York City has definitely changed my perspective on footwear. While my go-to kitten heels and riding boots may be perfect for a late-night soirée or a Sunday brunch, most of the time, my step count is in the thousands, meaning my footwear is of utmost importance.
As a 24-year-old, orthopedics shockingly aren't my first choice. While I'm willing to give up some comfort for stylish shoes, it wasn't until a late-night spiral into the archives of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen that I discovered you could have both. Yes, the Full House twins and designer duo behind The Row have a favorite pair of walking sandals. Spoiler alert: It isn't their own.
Behold Tevas. I had experimented a few times with the open-toe style during my days growing up on the Florida coast, but I buried them deep in my closet, thinking I wouldn't be able to make them work with my newfound city-girl wardrobe full of oversize blazers and palazzo pants during the warmer months. It wasn't until I saw them on Mary-Kate Olsen that I knew I could make them work. So when I was invited to fly across the country with Teva to live my best granola-girl life at Lake Tahoe for a week, I put them to the test.
Chloë Sevigny wearing her Teva Original Universal Sandals ($55).
After days of hiking, canoeing, sailing, and wine-tasting on the brand's annual Camp Teva retreat, I have to say I'm fully on board. Both Orignal Universal and platform styles are now integrated into my summer wardrobe.
While you'd think chunky hiking sandals don't exactly bode well when you're walking around SoHo, I've gotten so many compliments already. It feels like Teva is trying to transform itself and step outside the box with a slew of designer collaborations and elevated colorways that feel much more inclined to the fashion crowd over the camp-counselor one. Just this month, the California-based brand launched three styles in collaboration with Chloé, cementing itself once again as a footwear brand for the cool, edgy girl.
Over the last few years, the rise of "ugly" dad sandals has been on the move, with design houses and nature brands alike serving up fresh takes on the controversial style. While most quilted, lambskin versions of the chunky shoes can cost upwards of $2000 on the resale end, my trusted pair of Tevas begin only at $55, and platform and hiking versions cost only $20 more—a mere fraction of the highly lauded designer versions. Plus, you won't feel bad about any scuffs or lived-in marks you'll get from hiking a mountain top (or accidentally dragging your feet across a subway grate on your way to your local NYC smoothie shop).
To be honest, it's probably better that the general population doesn't catch on quite yet to the best sandals I'll ever own in my lifetime. I'll gatekeep these shoes for as long as I can so I can continue to live my indie-girl fantasy alongside Chloë Sevigny— another Teva truther. If that isn't something to celebrate, I don't know what is.
Shop the shoes:
Shop more Teva sandals:
Teva's new collaboration with Chloé has the fashion world buzzing. Katie Holmes was just spotted in a pair—which basically means it'll automatically sell out.
Mary-Kate's favorite pair is high up on my wish list now.
I've been wearing this pair with a simple white tank and classic denim, and I've got to say I'm obsessed.
The ribbons on the platform pair from the Chloé collaboration are so adorable.
You can't go wrong with this classic.
Major Dune vibes.
This chocolate pair would go so well with a simple white summer maxi dress.
For the friend who's addicted to the Co-Star app on their phone (read: me).
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