All Of My Summer Outfits Include This Under-$60 Pair Of Cult-Favorite Shoes

After days straight of hiking, kanoeing, sailing, and wine-tasting on the brand’s annual Camp Teva retreat, I have to say, I’m fully onboard; Both Orignal Universal and platform styles are now integrated into my summer wardrobe.

While you’d think chunky hiking sandals don’t exactly bode well when you’re walking around SoHo, I’ve gotten so many compliments already. It feels like Teva is trying to transform itself and step outside the box with a slew of designer collaborations and elevated colorways that feel much more inclined to the fashion crowd over the camp counselor one. Just this month, the California-based brand launched three styles in collaboration with Chloé, cementing itself once again as a footwear brand for the cool, edgy girl.

Over the last few years, the rise of “ugly” dad sandals has been on the move, with design houses and nature brands alike serving up fresh takes on the controversial style. While most quilted, lambskin version of the chunky shoe can cost upwards of $2,000 on the resale end, my trusted pair of Tevas begin only at $55, with platform, hiking versions costing only $20 more— a mere fraction of the highly-lauded designer versions. Plus, you won’t feel bad about any scuffs or lived-in marks you’ll get from hiking a mountain-top (or, if you’re like me, accidentally dragging your feet across a subway grate on your way to your local NYC smoothie shop). 

To be honest, it’s probably better that the general population doesn’t catch on quite yet to the best sandals I’ll ever own in my lifetime. I’ll gatekeep these shoes for as long as I can so I can continue to live my cool, indie-girl fanatasy alongside Chloë Sevigny— another Teva Truther. If that isn’t something to celebrate, I don’t know what is.