My Go-To, No-Fuss, Dressy Summer Sandal

When the warm weather hits, I become a bit of a minimalist.

I like to keep my style updated and classic but easy to execute. It might sound off-brand for someone who talks about fashion for a living, but once the summertime rolls around I don’t want to fuss with a lot of extras. I have other things to do.

We featured these simple block-heel sandals from Naturalizer last spring. I bought them in a few colors, including the ones featured below. And they were the only shoes I wore when I needed a heel.

I talk a lot about understanding your needs and lifestyle before you purchase something new for your wardrobe. I wish I could sit here and tell you I need a wall of fabulous designer shoes, but I don’t. My life just doesn’t support that in any way.

When I look back on last summer, it was the best, most fun, and busiest summer we ever had.

I happily lived in flip-flops, a pair of flat sandals, a few pairs of sneakers, and these shoes.

That’s it.

And I didn’t need less because we weren’t doing anything either. We were out and about for three full months and did a million things. We saw friends constantly, went to parties, events and dinners, had nights out, and lived at the beach for a month that was filled with socializing.

When I needed a heel, I didn’t have to think about it, I just grabbed a pair of these and was set.

I own them in black, tan and beige and I just ordered them in woven raffia for this year.

My Go-To, No-Fuss, Dressy Summer Sandal

Naturalizer Bristol Sandal

These are not sexy, fabulous, fashion-forward shoes. Instead, they are shoes that will work with what you have and blend into your outfit.

In the warm weather, I like when a shoe disappears on your leg, helping extend your visual length. A barely-there shoe, if you will.

And I wear my shoes hard, so I appreciate a block heel, which gives you more stability and balance. I find these very comfortable, and even though they aren’t genuine leather, they’ve held up well and are ready for another season of wearing.

I think back to how much money I wasted on shoes I could barely walk in my 20s and 30s or the designer shoes I splurged on in an attempt to be a fashion-girly early in my career.

That may be why I love my 40s so much: I don’t care at all (about anything, really), but I don’t get the same joy or thrill out of shopping as I did when I was younger.

Don’t get me wrong, I still want to look chic and classic, feel good, and be pulled together, but I don’t want to waste mental energy on it, and while I’m happy to spend where it makes sense, I’m also tired of spending a lot on everything.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll feature shoe options for everyone’s budget and taste, from trendy styles to investment wardrobe builders.

But I’m calling these out today if you want a simple, no fuss go-to option.

You can wear these with dresses, trousers, and jeans. Take them out on date night, wear them to a graduation party, even take them to a wedding (there are several metallic options available).

On sale at DSW, for 25% off $69.99 with code SHOEMOOD.

Related: 10 Spring Shoes for Women