I Used to Choose My Summer Sandals for Their Looks. Then I Got Older.
Why I believe women should never have to choose between beautiful shoes and comfortable feet.
A Personal Letter from Isabel | Edward & Isabel Melbourne
A PERSONAL LETTER FROM ISABEL
A Little Note From Me
Dear Ladies,
There was a time when choosing summer sandals was so simple.
I'd find a pretty pair, imagine how lovely they'd look with my favourite summer dress, and that was usually enough to convince me.
I didn't think too much about the sole, the fit or how my feet might feel several hours later.
But as I've grown older, I've started looking at shoes a little differently.
And I suspect I'm not the only one.
When Your Feet Start Asking for Something Different
One thing I've come to understand is that getting older doesn't mean losing our love of beautiful clothes.
But it can change what we need from them.
Our bodies change. Our priorities change. And after years of choosing shoes simply because we loved the way they looked, many of us begin to appreciate comfort in a whole new way.
I think about those lovely summer afternoons when we're out shopping, meeting friends for lunch or exploring somewhere new on holiday.
Standing in a queue or walking around the shops for an hour can feel quite different from how it did twenty years ago.
And sometimes, by the end of the afternoon, all we can think about is taking our shoes off.
But why should we have to give up the beautiful sandals we love, just because our feet need a little more consideration?
Surely, there must be a better balance between comfort and style.
Why Should We Have to Choose?
This is something that's frustrated me for years.
Walk into almost any shoe shop and you'll often find two very different kinds of sandals.
On one side, there are the beautiful ones. Lovely straps, elegant designs, exactly the kind of shoes you'd love to wear with your favourite summer dress.
But after a few hours on your feet, you sometimes wish you'd left them in the shop.
And then there are the practical ones.
You know the type. Thick soles, bulky straps and designs that seem to care about everything except how a woman actually wants to look.
I remember thinking, surely I'm not the only woman who wants something in between?
I'm not ready to give up looking stylish just because I'm getting older. And I certainly don't want to sacrifice comfort just to feel beautifully dressed.
I still love putting together a lovely outfit. I still enjoy feeling feminine, confident and well dressed.
I simply want shoes that understand what my feet need today.
And that's exactly what I started looking for when choosing sandals for our summer collection at Edward & Isabel.
THE DISCOVERY
Why Hayleigh Caught My Attention
When I started looking for sandals for our summer collection, I had one thing in mind.
I wanted something I would genuinely enjoy wearing myself.
Something feminine and stylish, but with the thoughtful details that become increasingly important as we get older.
And that's when Hayleigh caught my attention.
The first thing I noticed was the beautiful braided design. Elegant enough for a summer dress, but relaxed enough to wear with linen trousers or your favourite jeans.
But what really interested me was the attention to comfort.
A shaped footbed designed to offer support, an adjustable buckle to help find the right fit, and a lightweight design made with everyday wear in mind.
It felt like exactly the kind of balance I'd been looking for.
A beautiful summer sandal that doesn't forget about comfort.
And I thought, perhaps other women have been looking for the very same thing.
Three Things I Appreciate About Hayleigh
COMFORT MATTERS
A Footbed Designed with Support in Mind
One of the first things I notice about a sandal these days is what's underneath my feet.
Hayleigh features a contoured footbed with arch support, rather than a completely flat sole.
It's the kind of thoughtful detail I appreciate, especially when choosing shoes for everyday activities like shopping, travelling or spending time outdoors.
Because as we get older, a little extra consideration for our feet can make all the difference.
THE RIGHT FIT
A Fit That Works for You
Something else I've come to realise is that our feet aren't all the same.
Some of us need a little more room. Others prefer a snugger fit. And finding that comfortable middle ground can make all the difference.
That's why I particularly appreciate Hayleigh's adjustable buckle, which allows you to fine-tune the fit to suit your feet.
And for women who would like even more flexibility, we've also included a Double Buckle version of Hayleigh, featuring two adjustable straps for a more personalised fit.
It's reassuring to have options, especially when our feet don't always feel the same as they did twenty years ago.
Because beautiful sandals should adapt to our feet, not the other way around.
STYLE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Beautiful Details That Still Feel Feminine
Of course, comfort is only half the story.
I still want to look down at my feet and love the shoes I'm wearing.
That's what first drew me to Hayleigh's beautiful braided straps and relaxed, feminine design.
They're the kind of sandals that look lovely with a flowing summer dress, but work just as well with linen trousers or your favourite jeans.
And I especially appreciate that they don't have that bulky, overly practical appearance we so often associate with comfort footwear.
Because getting older doesn't mean our sense of style has to change.
We simply deserve shoes that bring together the comfort we appreciate and the beautiful details we still love.
And to me, that's what makes Hayleigh so appealing.
MADE FOR SUMMER DAYS
For the Days You Want to Enjoy
One of the things I love most about summer is all those little moments that make life special.
A morning coffee with a friend. A leisurely afternoon exploring the shops. Lunch by the water. Or a lovely family gathering in the garden.
But as I've grown older, I've become much more aware of how important the right shoes can be on days like these.
I don't want to spend a beautiful afternoon thinking about uncomfortable straps or wishing I'd brought another pair of shoes.
I want to feel relaxed, confident and beautifully dressed.
And that's exactly the thinking behind choosing Hayleigh for our summer collection.
A sandal with thoughtful comfort features, a feminine design and the versatility to complement so many of the outfits we already love.
Because summer is meant to be enjoyed.
And we deserve to enjoy it in shoes we feel good wearing.
Shop with Confidence
I know that buying shoes online can sometimes feel a little uncertain, especially when finding the right fit matters so much.
That's why we want you to feel confident when shopping with Edward & Isabel.
Free Shipping Across Australia
Enjoy complimentary shipping on your Hayleigh order.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Shop with the reassurance of our 30-day return policy.
And one little reminder from me: Hayleigh runs slightly small, so if you're between sizes, I recommend choosing the next size up.
Because finding beautiful, comfortable sandals should be a pleasure from beginning to end.
A FINAL NOTE FROM ISABEL
One Last Thought From Me
As I've grown older, I've come to realise something important.
I don't want to dress like a younger version of myself.
I simply want to feel comfortable, feminine and confident in the woman I am today.
And I know so many women feel exactly the same way.
That's what Edward & Isabel means to me. Finding beautiful pieces that understand our changing needs, without asking us to give up the style we've always loved.
We may be getting older, but our love of beautiful things certainly isn't going anywhere.
If you've been searching for a lovely pair of summer sandals that bring together style and thoughtful comfort features, I hope you'll take a closer look at Hayleigh.
And remember, my exclusive weekend offer is available until Sunday night.
Your Hayleigh sandals for just A$59.95.
With love,
Isabel
Edward & Isabel Melbourne
