by LOOKBOOK, featuring Sanuk • July 23, 2015
When the sun comes out and the temperatures begin to rise, it’s time to trade out those heels for sandals, and give those tootsies the much needed rest they deserve!
The Sanuk yoga mat sandal in particular — made from real yoga mat material — has been a huge hit with some of our California style bloggers, especially when it comes to dressing down for summer.
Although “keeping things casual” can be more of a challenge than it looks, we asked three of our Lookbookers to share how they like to wear their new Sanuk yoga slings — and loved how each one put a unique spin to their look, matching with their individual lifestyles. With our 5-step style breakdown for each one, whether you’re a marathon walker, a mingling socialite or prefer to take it slow and lounge your days away at the beach, effortless summer style is hardly out of reach.
LISA NGUYEN OF LINH WINN | DRESSING DOWN FOR URBAN HIKING
For her urban hiking expedition, Angeleno style blogger Linh Nguyen of Linh Winn puts together a casual look with a slight edge to express a hint of her taste and personality in just a few minutes. Her look works great for long strolls throughout downtown, a trip to the thrift shop or for a late night outdoor concert.
“I woke up today not having the energy to really stare at my closet for an hour to decide what to wear — and since today is a bit more relaxing for me, I picked out a pair of casual black denim shorts from DSTLD, a vintage band tee from Junk Food Clothing (a new brand I’m currently loving) and some cool, comfortable sandals for all the walking I’ll be doing in Downtown LA . It’s sweltering outside today so I wanted to keep things light!
I chose black for my new Sanuk sandals because the color is not only very chic in my opinion but easy to mix and match with my wardrobe. They’re also comfortable, strong, durable and lightweight — perfect for all the walking I’ll be doing.”
Linh Nguyen’s Tips for Urban Hiking
1. Wear comfortable sandals. Your tootsies will thank you at the end of the day.
2. Denim shorts will keep you cool during the warmer temps.
3. Throw in a bit of your personality — Linh used a vintage band tee from one of her new favorite brands.
4. Add in an optional piece for elevated styling, like Linh’s staple denim jacket.
5. Bring a chic bag to lug around your key essentials.
KIARA SCHWARTZ OF TOBRUCKAVE | DAY PARTYING
With July being one of the most popular months for birthdays, weddings and other outdoor festivities, even summer days can get hectic. It’s times like these when shoes versatile enough to transition from a shopping excursion to park picnics and bridal showers can be a lifesaver for party-hopping style bloggers like Kiara Schwartz ofTobruckAve. What’s wonderful about this look is that it can be worn for a quick trip to the museum, and yet is casual enough for checking out your local arts or music festival when the sun goes down.
“Who doesn’t want to wear a yoga mat at their feet all day long this summer!? Sanuk has the perfect solution to hectic summer days on the go with their cute and comfortable sandals. I started my day off with breakfast with the boy in the park and a walk with Haiti before a visit to one of my favorite stores (The Cross) to buy a gift for my friend's bridal shower. Then, on to the next event — a birthday picnic.
These comfy little Sanuk sandals were a perfect fit for a full day of running around to personal events with friends — from outdoors and casual to indoors and dressy. They do actually feel like walking on little slices of heaven. I love this sling back version, it is a good step up from just a flip flop and works perfectly with my Dreamcatcher dress for a boho, casual look. Next stop with these babies will be on a bike to the beach. Yes to summer vibes!”
Kiara’s Tips for Party Hopping
1. White dresses are incredibly versatile and on-trend for summer. Kiara belted hers for some extra shape and styling.
2. Neutral pieces like khakis and nudes are coming in as well. Kara chose a light trench style coat from Aritzia to pair over her dress.
3. Sanuk sandals with a subtle print pattern add a slightly feminine and dressy touch for events (while understated enough for casual summer gatherings).
4. Dress up basics with unique jewelry, like Kiara with her boho finds.
5. Now’s the time to get a cute pedicure for showing off those exposed toes!
TOSHIKO SHEK OF IT’S NOT HER, IT’S ME | BEACH LOUNGING
San Francisco-based style blogger Toshika Shek of It's Not Her, It's Me is the master of effortless chic, which means she’s always looking to put together pieces that can be casual, minimal and comfortable (but also work well for an elevated look). Her style is ideal for a day at the polo ranch, summer cruising or an afternoon lounge at the beach — it doesn’t hurt that she’s wearing sandals strong enough to withstand the sand and sea elements she encounters throughout the day, while providing a soft yoga-mat cushion for all the walking that entails!
“I like dressing down as much as I like dressing up. Other then the occasional dolling up for an important event or fancy dinner, I’m usually fairly casual. An oversized top with sandals just seems so much more appealing than a dress with heels on most days. Last Monday, I threw on a linen tunic top, legging jeans, pink fedora, and sandals by Sanuk. These yoga slinglet sandals are made from real yoga mat material, which means it provides incredible cushioning. Needless to say, my feet felt great after walking all over Golden Gate Park, and then walking even more along the beach! You really have to try them out yourself to believe its amazingness.”
Toshiko's Tips for Beach Lounging
1. The first step to a classy-casual look is starting off simple. Toshika tucked a crisp white tunic shirt into black skinny jeans for a classic black and white look.
2. Keep everything minimal. We love her choice of a simple, yet elegant tote bag.
3. Don’t be afraid to play around with resort basics. Toshika chose a sweet, fun pink color for her Panama hat to show off her feminine side.
4. Strappy Sanuk sandals in a classic, solid color completes the outfit.
5. Don’t forget those Audrey-inspired shades!