Not to sound like a belligerent old bore, but I’m getting a bit tired of social media movements that decree something in fashion or beauty to be “over” or “out.” It strikes me as ironic that the democratisation of fashion can lead to less individuality rather than more. In the latest installment of things TikTokers don’t like is an unassuming and really quite practical pair of sandals that I’m sure 95% of you will own. I have some. Most of my friends have a pair. Pretty sure my mum does too. And perhaps that’s the problem. A simple pair of two-strap sandals (you know the kind with a block heel, a front strap and an ankle strap) are supposedly naff and—worst burn of all—cheugy.
There’s no denying that the simple shoes—popularised around 2017 by the likes of Sam Edelman’s Yaro style and particularly prevalent in nude colours—has become saturated in the market in the past couple of years. Following a wave of extreme platforms and overly fussy heels, the late 2010s served up a more manageable option during a time when everyone in fashion still hadn’t quite come to terms with wearing flats (!) and celebrities, royals, editors and early influencers alike were all keen.
