The fisherman sandals trend—yay or nay? Our editors weigh in.
Every season sees a new divisive shoe trend hit our FYPs and, love it or hate it, the fisherman sandals seem to be back for spring 2025. While the shoe is not new (it rears its “ugly” head every spring), it seems to be back with a vengeance this year.
When the shoe was brought up at the office today, there were a few cheers and more than a few groans. Someone called them “Biblical sandals” and another said she'd much rather choose from the plethora of “basket sandals” that are slightly more ladylike versions of these clunky dad shoes. Personally, I would quite literally wear anything else (ok maybe except Crocs). Given my style mostly involves pointy ankle boots and mesh flats, it's safe to say that most "ugly' fashion shoes do not have a place in my closet, so it's nothing personal to the fisherman sandal.
As a self-respecting journalist, though, I had to put my biases aside for a moment and cede the floor (or digital real estate) to some of my colleagues to make their case.
They argue that the fisherman sandal is the ultimate sandal that covers your toes, the fisherman silhouette is a trans-seasonal shoe, offering that little bit more coverage than a flip flop but breezier than your fave loafers.
Once reserved for the hiking-obsessed dads (who, naturally, paired them with socks every damn time) they were adopted by the more style conscious a handful of years ago thanks to, as tends to be the case, the influence of Instagram and our favourite, more pioneering fashion influencers.
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And, they say, fisherman sandals are more sensible to wear to a picnic in the park or window shopping with the girls than heeled sandals. “It took me a while to warm up (we're talking a year or two), but I can't help it, I love fisherman sandals,” says GLAMOUR Senior Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd. “For those of us who don't always want to bare our toes to the world - or simply haven't had the time to get a pedicure yet - they're a godsend. I wear mine with midaxi skirts and summer dresses in a bid to tone down the girly vibes.”
To be fair, designer options like these Prada styles have a slightly cooler edge to them which could maybe convert even the staunchest critics like myself (I said maybe!), and the various new versions coming out have won over quite a few of us at the office.
“Granted, I've only recently been converted – one particular pair of Russell & Bromley fisherman sandals sealed the deal for me, earlier in the season – but I'm now a fisherman sandal lover,” says Senior Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett. “A sensible transitional shoe that feels a tad breezier than my trusty loafers, I've been wearing a brown leather pair with barrel leg jeans and my trench coat since the weather started warming up. When temperatures actually peak, find me pairing them with a white A-line skirt and waistcoat.”
My colleagues made a strong case, and whether it was enough to convert me time will tell. But if you share my strong opinions about the fisherman sandals, I've snuck in some alternatives alongside the fisherman sandals below that you could wear this spring. Winners all around.
Born and raised in Hong Kong, she earned her journalism degree in America and spent time at GLAMOUR US and People Magazine. She then returned to Hong Kong and became Tatler Asia's fashion director, where she ... Read More
