As a mode of footwear, the sandal seems to date back about four thousand years to Egyptian times when the light-weight, open shoe was constructed by weaving together strands of papyrus (a strong, pliable marsh reed).

The sandal appears in various guises throughout historical and contemporary dress worn in temperate zones across the globe. Made from materials available in the locality, the sandal is made up of an under sole and webbing or strapping shaped across the bridge of the foot and the back of the ankle quite often leaving the toes open.

Extremely popular in the UK as a 60s fashion summer shoe for both men and women, sandals were usually leather strapped (often decorated with a tooled pattern) and buckled at the side. Very much part of the hippy styling, the casual sandal seemed to signify freedom and a leaning toward a new idea of world culture.

Now the sandal is definitely back as a modish fashion item. Designer sandals have a innovative feel, using unusual contemporary fabrics and decoration. Shoppers can look forward to a fantastic choice of styles and colours for casual, formal, day and evening wear.