Much has been made of the so-called grandma shoe: how anatomical Scholl Pescura heels and generously cushioned Wörishofer sandals have been reclaimed by a generation of people who have yet to experience the thrill of a garden centre or slipping a $20 bill into a young relative’s palm. Less glamour has been afforded to their masculine counterparts (i.e., breathable fisherman sandals).
Katie Holmes was yesterday afternoon photographed strolling through Manhattan in a striped linen shirt, wide-legged jeans, and a pair of these sandals–olive green and well-ventilated–originally designed for Mediterranean anglers in need of a quick-draining shoe. I would like to wheel them onto a cobbled marina and say, “It is enough, please rest,” and let them bake in the sun like a couple of sun-dried tomatoes. (#Eurocore be damned.)
The Image Direct
Consider the fisherman sandal a timeworn alternative to all the Billabong fashions–cord flip-flops, shell necklaces and board shorts–that proliferated Miu Miu’s spring 2024 collection, and encouraged members of this magazine’s editorial staff to revisit the jelly shoes of their childhoods. A fisherman sandal represents the ultimate example of luxurious living: cheerful, wine-filled lunches, and leisurely strolls along the shore, la dolce vita turned la dolce far niente.