It's time to put away those heavy winter boots and prepare for warm weather with a pretty pair of sandals. If chosen wisely, sandals can be worn more places now than ever before, even to the office. They almost always look stylish and tend to feel good on your feet because they allow the air to circulate around your toes on a hot, sticky day. If you want your sandals to look and feel good, it's important that you make the right sandal selection. Here are some guidelines on how to choose sandals:

Consider Where You're Wearing Them

If you'll be wearing your sandals to the office, choose a pair that will look appropriate with more conservative attire. Generally, you'll want to avoid flat heeled sandals as they tend to look too casual and out of place for office wear. Look for a dressier sandal with a medium heel that's comfortable enough to wear throughout the day. A good heel height is two to three inches for office wear. It's also best to choose a neutral color if you work in a more conservative office setting. This might not be the place for metallic gold or jeweled, flaming red sandals. Save those for evening wear.

Consider Comfort

Although sandals can be beautiful to look at, certain styles can also be quite uncomfortable. If you're looking for sandals you can wear throughout a busy day, choose ones that fit snuggly, but not so tight that they elicit pain. Some sandal straps can really cut into your foot if they're too tight. One comfortable choice for daily wear is an espadrille wedge sandal since they tend to be cushioned and give your heel more support. Pay particular attention to the sole of your sandals, they should be thick enough to give you good support when you walk. When you try on sandals at the shoe store, try them on at the end of the day when your feet are their largest. Be sure to walk around the store repeatedly to make sure the ones you've chosen are comfortable.

Be Careful About Purchasing Online or by Mail Order

Sandals are shoes that need to be tried before purchasing as what looks comfortable on the model isn't always comfortable on your foot. If you want to save money on your purchase, skip the online sites and head to your local consignment boutiques where you can often pick up designer sandals for very little money.

The sight of sandals worn with pretty sundresses is a sure sign warm weather has arrived. Now's the time to choose your summer sandals so your feet can stay cool throughout the season.