I know what you’re thinking and the answer is yes. I will wake up extra early to wrap and buckle these on my feet. And it will be worth it! With a million buckles (eight on each shoe to be exact), these Derek Lam sandals are not for the sartorially sluggish. No cheat zippers on the inside, which I actually appreciate; these show your dedication to a serious sandal.
The good news is the plethora of buckles ensures the criss-crossing will look right and stay up, as opposed to sloughing down your legs and pooling at your ankles. These are strictly those with well-endowed calves; they go 13″ up your leg and should not hit your knees, if so, return!
I want to wear these all summer long, so my fingertips better limber up and prepare to get their buckle on. Cut-offs, sundress, or mini, they’ll look great with anything short. Just beware of crazy tan lines, so slather on the sunscreen! On ShopBop for $890.
Pair with: Vena Cava’s high-waisted “De Palma” shorts in cotton gauze have a geometric print that is quietly reminiscent of the straps on your killer flat sandals. At Barneys New York for $295.
I usually find these sort of shoes too costume-y for me, but these look pretty good. That said, I would never ever wear these even if I owned them – just too complicated. I have actually been looking for open-back espadrilles for summer because I don’t feel like dealing with one buckle, much less eight!