Fisherman sandals are quickly emerging as one of the biggest shoe trends. Blame it on the rise of TikTok's latest viral fashion movement, the fisherman aesthetic, or the notable shift in fashion towards more practical sartorial items. Either way, it's perfectly timed as we look to swap our ankle boots for more seasonally appropriate footwear.
Sure, it's too soon to fully embrace sandal szn. Freezing our toes off in our Havaianas flip flops is almost a guarantee right now! But that doesn't change the fact we've been longing to take a notable step (literally) into spring. Enter: the fisherman sandal. Breezier than your loafers and go-to fashion sneakers but without the need for a pedicure (soz, mesh ballet flats), these shoes really do tick all the boxes.
Consider us convinced. But how do you wear them? That's easy...
With Socks and Shorts
Hailey Bieber may have worn this outfit all the way back in 2023, but it has lived rent-free in our heads ever since as a cool girl take on the unofficial “dad on holiday” uniform. Read: baggy jorts, socks and sandals. While we wait for summer to fully arrive, a trench coat and socks will keep the spring breeze at bay, but if shorts feel a tad too optimistic, swap them for a pair of ankle-grazing jeans.
With a Mini Skirt
The secret to making any outfit look immediately more stylish? Add a contrasting element. The toughness and masculinity of a fisherman sandal creates a chic distinction to a flirty, feminine mini skirt more so than a dainty ballet flat would.
With a Midi Skirt
A midi skirt or midi dress is a fail-safe outfit choice, so if you don't want to push yourself out of your comfort zone too much, you can't go wrong with fisherman sandals to add a polished edge to your go-to spring 'fits.
With a Trench Coat and Tailored Trousers
Incorporate your fisherman sandals into your workwear wardrobe by pairing them with tailored separates, from wide-leg trousers to button-down shirts to blazers. Think of them as the spring replacement for your loafers.
With Track Pants
And take them off-duty by pairing with a pair of slouchy track pants. From running errands to beer garden drinks with friends, opting for fisherman sandals over your fave fashion shoes keeps this look from straying into Sporty Spice territory.
With Jeans
No matter what jeans trend you go for—barrel, wide-leg, straight leg—fisherman sandals work with them all. We love wearing white denim with a soft brown sandal, while a chunky soled black pair work just as well with pale blue or dark washes.
Now you know how to wear spring's biggest shoe, you need to find the right pair for you. Having existed on the style periphery for a few seasons now—The Row and Gabriela Hearst championed the style back in 2021, Max Mara and Versace followed suit the year after, while more recently Loewe re-introduced fisherman sandals in the brand's SS24 collection with Michael Kors leading the look this season—this latest resurgence is largely thanks to the high street. Meaning there's plenty of styles at affordable price points, whatever your budget.
We've done the legwork for you and rounded up the best fisherman sandals for women to shop now in a variety of colors and styles. You're welcome!
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
