Summer getaways demand footwear that balances style with comfort for those long beachside strolls and fancy resort dinners. Chunky sandals have become the vacation staple that elevates any outfit while keeping your feet happy.
Not all chunky styles are created equal though – some nail that effortless resort vibe while others might leave you wishing you’d packed differently.
1. Jute-Wrapped Block Heel Sandal
Natural materials meet architectural structure in these vacation-worthy stunners. The earthy jute wrapping transforms an ordinary block heel into something special, while clean leather uppers keep the look sophisticated rather than crafty.
Walking in these feels secure thanks to the stable base, perfect for cobblestone streets or boardwalk adventures. The neutral palette ensures they pair with everything from breezy linen dresses to cropped white jeans.
The moderate 2-3 inch height offers just enough elevation without sacrificing all-day wearability – exactly what you need when transitioning from daytime exploring to sunset cocktails.
2. Braided Platform Flatform
Elevation without the ankle wobble makes these braided beauties a vacation essential. The interwoven straw straps create visual interest while maintaining a neutral palette that works with everything in your suitcase.
Unlike towering heels, these flatforms distribute weight evenly across your foot, preventing the dreaded vacation blister. The substantial platform gives you height without compromising stability on uneven resort pathways.
What really sets these apart is their versatility – they look equally at home with a swimsuit cover-up for poolside lunches or dressed up with a flowy maxi dress for evening entertainment.
3. Chunky Cork Wedge with Ankle Strap
Memory foam meets Mediterranean vibes in these vacation-ready wedges. The substantial cork base provides surprising lightness while still giving you that confidence-boosting height boost we all crave in vacation photos.
The genius is in the delicate ankle strap – it provides crucial stability without visually weighing down your leg line. Cork’s natural shock absorption makes these surprisingly comfortable for all-day wear, whether you’re exploring local markets or dancing at the beachfront bar.
The material’s natural water resistance means unexpected poolside splashes won’t spell disaster, unlike many dressier vacation shoes.
4. Textured Leather Lug-Sole Sandal
Fashion meets function in these architectural standouts. Buttery soft leather uppers create a luxe contrast against the bold, deeply grooved rubber soles – bringing unexpected edge to your resort wardrobe.
These sandals solve the common vacation footwear dilemma: finding shoes that can handle both slippery pool decks and fancy restaurant dress codes. The substantial tread provides grip on wet surfaces without looking overly utilitarian.
Their minimalist design philosophy – quality materials in clean silhouettes – ensures they’ll outlast trendy alternatives. Pack these as your go-anywhere option when suitcase space is limited and versatility is essential.
5. Wide-Band Canvas Platform Slide
Minimalist design meets maximum comfort in these statement-making slides. The single wide canvas band creates a bold architectural statement while the foam-backed platform cradles your feet like walking on clouds.
Morning coffee runs, poolside lounging, or casual dinners – these slides handle it all with effortless style. The breathable canvas prevents that unfortunate vacation foot sweat while maintaining a polished appearance.
Unlike flimsy flip-flops that offer zero support, these substantial slides provide enough structure to prevent foot fatigue during long days of exploration. Their slip-on nature makes them perfect for quick transitions between pool and restaurant.
6. Knotted Raffia Block-Heel Sandal
Artisanal craftsmanship elevates these statement-making resort essentials. The loosely knotted raffia straps create dimensional texture while maintaining a natural, organic feel that epitomizes barefoot luxury.
The chunky block heel provides stability without sacrificing style points, making these perfect for evenings when you want elevation without wobbling across the resort grounds. Natural raffia’s lightweight properties ensure these won’t weigh down your suitcase.
Their neutral palette ensures versatility with everything from crisp white linen to vibrant tropical prints. The open design allows for breathability in hot climates – crucial for preventing sweaty vacation feet.
7. Two-Tone Wooden Block Heel
Architectural interest meets wearable comfort in these head-turning wooden heels. The contrasting wood tones create visual intrigue while the minimalist leather thong keeps the overall look refined rather than clunky.
Unlike many statement shoes that sacrifice comfort for style, these beauties feature padded footbeds that make extended wear actually enjoyable. The sculptural wooden heel element draws compliments while providing rock-solid stability on uneven resort walkways.
Their versatility is unmatched – they dress up casual daytime outfits and complement evening resort wear with equal ease. The natural materials age beautifully, developing a rich patina that improves with each vacation.
1. Oversized Foam Flatform with Excessive Branding
Marketing departments gone wild created these pool-adjacent monstrosities. Giant logos plastered across thick foam bases transform your feet into walking billboards – the opposite of subtle vacation sophistication.
While they might photograph well for social media, the reality of wearing them proves less glamorous. The excessive height combined with slippery foam materials creates a dangerous equation on wet surfaces around pools and beaches.
The bulky proportions overwhelm most outfits, drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. Save your precious suitcase space for footwear that enhances rather than dominates your carefully planned resort wardrobe.
2. Bulky Rubber Sport Sandal
Practical meets painfully out of place in these outdoor-adventure-meets-luxury-resort hybrids. The aggressively rugged rubber straps and technical details might serve you well on a wilderness hike but look jarringly utilitarian against resort backdrops.
Their bulky proportions create unfortunate tan lines while their excessive weight makes your beach bag unnecessarily heavy. The sport-specific design features – drainage holes, adjustable velcro, reinforced toe guards – solve problems you simply won’t encounter lounging by the infinity pool.
The chunky silhouette creates an unintentional visual heaviness that fights against the breezy, effortless vibe most vacation wardrobes aim to achieve.
3. Exaggerated Patent Leather Lug Sole
Fashion victimhood manifests in these over-designed statement pieces. The high-shine patent leather uppers create uncomfortable heat traps in tropical climates, while the dramatically oversized lug soles add unnecessary pounds to every step.
Sand, those inevitable vacation companion, becomes permanently trapped in the deep treads, creating an unfortunate souvenir you’ll be finding months later. The extreme contrast between glossy uppers and massive soles creates a visually top-heavy effect that fights against the relaxed elegance of resort dressing.
While they might earn compliments at urban brunches, these attention-grabbers quickly become vacation regrets when you’re hobbling across beach paths or struggling to keep them clean.