It’s time to give our feet a break from the heels of the Winter season. Booties, stilettos, heeled boots, etc. have my feet screaming for a pedi and a much deserved break. Lucky for me, and you, flat sandals are a huge trend this coming Spring. Depending on where you live, your debut of a cute pair of new sandals might still be a few months out. Or, maybe you’re visiting a sunny beach next weekend and need a pair NOW. Either way, it’s a great time to shop as many pairs are discounted–definitely not something we usually see at the start of a season.


Read more for flat sandal types and trends for the season.

Flat Sandal Trends

Natural Brown Leather

In addition to patent, metallic and snakeskin, plain old natural brown leather is a popular sandal material this Spring. This is especially trendy in ankle strap sandals and gladiators (see below) and is great worn as part of the Bohemian style seen on the Spring 2009 runways.
Here are a couple of examples:

Shown: Cocobelle Sandals ($68.00), Pelle Moda Sandals ($54.90)

Embellishments

This Spring, look for sandals decorated with all sorts of fun baubles and beads. Feathers, beads, shells, animal print, pendants, gems and studs are just a few of the adornments you’ll see when shopping for the perfect pair (or pairs) of sandals. Draw attention to your newly pedicured feet (you know you need one!) with fun additions to an otherwise plain sandal. Most of the sandals this season are similar in design and material. The difference is in the embellishment added. Here are some over the top examples:

Shown: Steve Madden Sandals with Beaded Ankle ($128.95), Sam Edelman Sandals with wood and snakeskin ($88.95), Sigerson Morrison Sandals ($649.00)

Metallic

In keeping with the idea of taking a simple sandal and making it glam, metallic sandals are a huge hit this season. Again, these are usually very classic or basic sandal styles, but are made with gold, silver or bronze material. Here are a few examples:

Shown: Matt Bernson Gold Gladiator Sandals ($170.00), Bernardo Gold Woven Sandals ($98.00), Silver Gladiator Sandals ($22.99)

Types of Flat Sandals

Flip Flops

I don’t think there will ever be a Spring or Summer season when flip flops (aka ‘thongs’) will not be in style. This season, go for a pair of flip flops that are metallic, embellished or paired with an ankle strap.

Shown: Patent Sandals ($19.99), Gold Sandals ($115), Turquoise Sandals ($140)

Gladiator Sandals

Made popular last Spring, gladiator sandals are back and are bigger than ever. This season, we’ll see lots of variations on the basic gladiator. Expect to see heeled gladiators, gladiators with wide ankle straps, gladiators with straps that go up the calf and embellished gladiators. This is a must have for Spring 2009!

Shown: Dolce Vita Gladiator Sandal ($149.95), Enzo Angiolini Gladiator ($59.95), Gladiator Sandal ($24.99)

Thong Sandal

Thong sandals have ankle straps that make them more sandal, less flip flop. This seems to be the main style for added embellishments. Thong sandals are very similar to t-strap heels if one strap goes from the toes to the ankle, but can also look more like flip flops if the strap splits before the ankle. The embellishments usually adorn the t-strap.

Shown: Mirrored Sandals ($22.99), Kenneth Cole Thong Sandals ($79.00), Silver Thong Sandals ($120.00)

Ankle Straps

This is definitely my favorite style of flat sandals for this Spring. The ankle strap trend can accompany a gladiator sandal, a thong sandal or even flip flops, but should be listed as a style of its own because of how unique it is. Ankle strap sandals consist of an ankle strap that is often much wider than any of the other straps in the sandal. The strap resembles a wrist cuff in many ways.
Here are some examples:

Shown: Cocobelle Ankle Strap Sandals ($96.00), Sam Edelman Sandals ($89.00), Matt Bernson Sandals ($175.00)

More Reading:
Not ready to turn in your heels? Read How to Choose the Perfect Pair of Heels for a guide to the latest heel trends.
Feeling inspired to get that pedicure? Check out the latest Spring 2009 polish colors.

What do you think of the flat sandal trends and styles for Spring 2009?