There's no time more satisfying to start shopping for sandals than during a cloudy day (or better yet, a snow storm), but knowing you'll have to store whatever you buy for another couple of months can be emotionally draining. So, in the interest of our collective mental well-being, shoes that have the benefit of being instant gratifiers should make their way into your shopping cart. More specifically, the sandal/shoe/bootie hybrid. They're easy to wear, but interesting to look at—usually an identity crisis isn't a good thing, but in this case, it means you can let your toes breathe without completely freezing your ankles. Plus they aren't flimsy—plenty of mileage to get out of your purchase here.
Zara Lace-Up High-Heeled Sandals: These are for when you're not shopping for the office, but rather office online shopping while daydreaming about Friday night. They're in-between covered-up and showy, and the lace-up isn't overdone, making them a good option for a night out.
Acne Studios Corda Shoes: Here's a stylistically advanced version of a sea-diving shoe, but made by Swedes and ready to wear anywhere—just add black wool socks when it's chilly and a pedicure when it's warm.
Tibi Blane Mules: The nice thing about these shoes is that they have a really substantial heel but are easy to wear. They'll give you a little lift and make your legs look great.
Whistles Ada Slim Strap Mule: Here we have the all-terrain vehicle of the shoe world. Wear it with cropped jeans and go sock-less. City streets and dirt paths are both fair game.
Laurence Dacade Flo Leather Sandals: These are worth it if you live in Miami, where you would be able to wear them year-round—in fact, it comes down to just over $3/wear for every day for a year (aka commitment).
—Claire Knebl
Almost-spring means unpredictable rain. Keep these puppies dry with five rainy-day staples and discover more Five Cool Things here. Image via Getty.
