The Essential Sandal Trend Every Fashion Person Will Wear This Year

We may have only had, like, three days of a heatwave recently, but as soon as the sun came out all we could think about was shedding our boots and trainers for bare ankles. Anyone else? Sandal season is finally upon us and we couldn’t be happier about it. A great pair can be the perfect gateway into spring/summer dressing— even swapping them into your favourite jeans and jumper look now can make your existing wardrobe feel instantly refreshed. 

We don’t discriminate on sandal styles here (classic tan, lace-up, mules... we’ll take them all) but it is fast becoming clear that one trend is going to rule them all for 2021, and that’s chunky ones. From velcro dad sandals, to fisherman caged styles and flatform flip-flops, we still can’t get enough of them (this is the third year running they’ve been popular now, so at least we can be confident it’s not just a fleeting fad). 

Now for where to buy them. Of course, there’s the usual designer culprits, but for affordable options our absolute go-to on the high street has to be Dune London— and it appears we’re not the only ones. Influencers and editors all over our Instagram feed have been sporting the brand’s most popular styles already this year, and they’re only about to get more sought-after as the weather keeps warming up. 

Dune London's camel Lockstockk sandals alongside their summery Ducies handbag. 

Remember the 800-person waiting list for Dune London’s Lockstockk sandals last year? Well, they’re back in new colourways. So you shouldn't hang around if they're at the top of your wish list. We’re predicting the new Longisland flip-flops are about to be just as big this year too, with over 1000 people on the waiting list for the imminent restock already—they will be back in May, so watch this space. And that’s just two key styles from the brand’s huge new spring offering.

It’s no surprise really that after almost 30 years on the high street Dune London have become specialists in nailing a trend so well. With their high-end finish and attention to detail in design, you also get long-lasting quality that doesn’t often come with opting for the more affordable option. 

Dune London's Dovens bag and Longisland sandals in black. 

Keep scrolling and you’ll see exactly how some of the most stylish people have been wearing theirs so far, and then get ahead of the game and shop Dune London’s new-in chunky sandals below.

See How Influencers Are Wearing Chunky Sandals:

Stacie wears the Lockstockk sandals in blue denim and the cute Daydreams handbag with this lemon ensemble. 

Classic doesn't have to mean boring. We love this double denim look from Nina Sandbech in the Lockstockk sandals and pink Dorchester bag.

Melissa pairs the Lockstockk sandals with the woven Dovens bag and a great co-ord. 

The Longisland sandals and the black Dovens bag are minimalist essentials for this summer, as Karolina shows here. 

Nimi Blackwell pairs her chunky Lianna sandals with ripped denim. 

Throw on chunky styles with your layered looks now while the weather is cooler, à la Jessica Skye in the black Longisland sandals.

Margarita Shapovalova wears the Lockstockk sandals in quilted black with classic denim and it works so well.

The camel Lockstockk sandals are the perfect addition to a wardrobe of chic basics, as Phoebe proves.

Silvia Garcia Bartabac nails springtime monochrome in the Longisland sandals and Kimmyy bag.

We love how Phoebe wears her Longisland sandals with a jumper and trousers for right now. 

Nimi proves the Location sandals are the perfect summer in the city sandal.

Shelley Mokoena shows how great the Longisland sandals look with a crisp white summer outfit

Shop Dune London's Chunky Sandals:

Next up, I Love Wearing Sandals, and These 6 New Trends I'm Into