A flat sandal is the shoe most Indian women actually wear. Not the heels saved for a wedding, not the sneakers kept for the gym — the open, flat, slip-on pair that handles a commute, a market run, a long day on your feet and dinner afterwards without ever asking for attention.
This guide covers what counts as a flat sandal, the styles worth knowing, how to judge fit and comfort before you buy, and which pair suits which kind of day. Everything here is written for Indian conditions — heat, humidity, dust, and the reality of walking a lot more than you planned to.
What counts as a flat sandal?
A flat sandal is any open shoe with no meaningful heel lift — typically under 2 cm — where straps rather than a closed upper hold the foot. That distinguishes it from two neighbours people often confuse it with:
- Bellies and ballerinas are closed flats. The whole foot is covered. Shop those in our Bellies & Ballerinas edit.
- Flat slippers and chappals are open slip-ons with no back strap at all, usually one or two broad bands. There's more on those in our guide to flat slippers and chappals.
A flat sandal sits between the two: more secure than a slipper, more breathable than a belly. Browse the full range in Sandals for Women and Flats for Women.
The seven flat sandal styles worth knowing
1. Strappy flat sandals
Thin straps across the toes and instep, sometimes with an ankle strap. The most versatile shape — dressy enough for a dinner, plain enough for a workday. Because the straps are narrow, they show off the foot and work particularly well with cropped trousers and midi skirts.
2. Cross-strap and criss-cross sandals
Two or more straps crossing over the instep. These hold better than a single band, which makes them a genuinely good walking sandal. The Forever Chic Two-Tone Crisscross Strap Sandals (₹1,999) are the workhorse version — they also come in brown and blue.
3. Slides
One broad band over the forefoot, open at the back and toe. The fastest shoe to put on and the easiest to wear in heat. Aurelia Luxe Slides in black (₹1,599) are the plain-and-goes-with-everything option; Orlina Scroll Strap Slides in gold (₹1,699) do the same job with more polish, and there's a white version for summer.
4. Embellished and beaded flat sandals
Stones, beads, pearls or metallic trim on a flat base. This is the category that quietly solves Indian festive dressing — you get the look of an occasion shoe without the height. The Bead Drip in beige (₹1,599) works with kurtas and western wear equally well.
5. Coin, charm and hardware sandals
Flat sandals with metal detailing along the strap. Currently one of the strongest trends in Indian summer footwear because the hardware reads as jewellery. The Coin Cascade Black Flat Sandal (₹1,599) is our best-selling example.
6. Boho and woven flat sandals
Braided, woven or raffia-look uppers in earthy tones. Good for travel and holidays, and they hide dust far better than a smooth finish. See The Boho Baddie in beige (₹1,499).
7. Tie-up and gladiator sandals
Straps that wrap or lace up the ankle. The most secure flat sandal there is, and the best choice if you know you'll be walking. Shop the Tie-Up Sandals edit.
How to choose a flat sandal that actually stays comfortable
Flat does not automatically mean comfortable. A badly built flat sandal can be harder on your feet than a well-built heel. Four things decide it:
The footbed
This matters more than anything else. A completely flat, hard footbed gives the arch no support, and after a few hours that shows up as aching along the sole. Look for a cushioned or contoured insole with some give when you press it. Our Cushioned Flats and Most Comfortable Footwear edits are built around exactly this.
Strap width and placement
Narrow straps concentrate pressure into a thin line, which is where most rubbing starts. Broader straps, or several straps spreading the load, are kinder on a long day. The strap should sit across the widest part of the foot, not on the toe joints.
Material, for Indian weather
Heat and humidity make feet swell and sweat. Softer synthetics and lined straps handle that better than stiff, unlined ones. In the monsoon, avoid anything that will stain or warp when wet — quick-dry, wipe-clean materials are the practical choice, and we keep those together in the Monsoon Footwear edit.
The sole
Check that the sole flexes at the ball of the foot rather than folding in the middle, and that it has some texture. Smooth soles on wet marble or tile are genuinely unsafe during the rains.
Getting the size right
Flat sandals are more size-sensitive than closed shoes because there's no upper holding the foot in place. Three rules:
- Buy your true size. Sizing up leaves the heel hanging off the back edge, which changes how you walk.
- Measure in the evening. Feet are at their largest at the end of the day, especially in summer — that's the size you want to fit.
- Your toes should sit inside the sole outline, not level with the edge. A few millimetres of sole in front of the longest toe is right.
Forever Shoe Bazar stocks sizes 35–41. Our size chart maps EU sizes to UK and Indian equivalents.
Flat sandals by occasion
Everyday and college
Slides and simple cross-strap sandals in black, brown or tan. They survive being worn constantly and go with jeans, kurtas, palazzos and co-ord sets without any thought. Start with Casual Flats.
Office and formal
A flat sandal reads as formal when it's plain, dark and neat — minimal hardware, clean straps, black or tan. Pointed or squared toes look sharper with trousers than round ones. Our Office Flats and Office & Formal Shoes for Women edits cover this, and there's more detail in our guide to formal shoes for women.
Festive and wedding functions
Embellished flat sandals in gold, silver or nude are the underrated choice for long functions — you get to stay for the whole evening. Shop Festive Flats and Pearl Footwear. If you'd still like a little height, Block Heels are the most stable way to get it.
Travel
One dark, cushioned, closed-enough pair you can walk 15,000 steps in. Woven and boho styles hide dust and scuffs best.
Choosing a colour
Black first, always. It goes with everything, suits work and evenings, and hides dust and scuffs better than any other shade. Tan and nude come second — they lengthen the leg and disappear against most Indian skin tones, which makes them the most flattering neutral. White lifts pastels and summer outfits but needs wiping down often. Gold and silver are festive workhorses that pair with sarees, lehengas and kurta sets without competing with the outfit.
Flat sandals vs flat slippers vs bellies
| Flat sandals | Flat slippers / chappals | Bellies / ballerinas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foot coverage | Open, strapped | Open, one or two bands | Fully closed |
| Security on the foot | Good | Lowest | Highest |
| Best for | Long days, most occasions | Quick trips, home, heat | Office, ethnic wear, dust protection |
| Monsoon | Good if quick-dry | Best | Worst |
Looking after them
Wipe straps with a damp cloth and dry away from direct sun — heat hardens synthetic straps and cracks them. Never dry wet sandals on a balcony in full sun after the rains. Store them flat rather than stacked so the straps keep their shape, and keep embellished pairs in a cloth bag so stones don't catch.
Where to buy flat sandals online in India
Forever Shoe Bazar stocks flat sandals from ₹999 in sizes 35–41, with cash on delivery, easy exchange and pan-India delivery in 2–4 days. Start with Sandals for Women or the wider Flats for Women collection, and if you're weighing up every flat option, read our complete guide to the best flats for women in India.
Flat sandals FAQs
What is the difference between flat sandals and flat slippers?
Flat sandals have straps across the foot and often a back or ankle strap, so they hold the foot securely. Flat slippers and chappals are open slip-ons with no back, usually one or two broad bands. Sandals are better for walking; slippers are quicker to put on.
Are flat sandals good for walking long distances?
They can be, if the footbed is cushioned and the straps are broad enough to spread pressure. Cross-strap, tie-up and gladiator styles hold the foot best. A thin-strapped, hard-soled flat sandal is not a walking shoe.
Which colour flat sandals should I buy first?
Black. It works with every outfit, suits both office and casual wear, and hides dust and scuffs far better than white or nude. Tan or nude is the most useful second pair.
Can flat sandals be worn to the office?
Yes, if they're plain and dark with minimal hardware. Black or tan cross-strap and slide styles with a clean line read as formal alongside trousers, skirts and Indian formals.
Are flat sandals suitable for the monsoon?
Open flat sandals are among the best monsoon options because they dry quickly and are easy to wipe clean. Choose quick-dry synthetic or rubber materials with a textured, anti-slip sole.
What can I wear flat sandals with?
Almost anything — jeans, cropped trousers, palazzos, midi skirts, dresses, kurtas, co-ord sets and sarees. Embellished flat sandals in gold or silver work with lehengas and festive ethnic wear.
How much do flat sandals cost at Forever Shoe Bazar?
Flat sandals start at ₹999, with most styles under ₹2,000. All orders ship pan-India with cash on delivery and easy exchange, in sizes 35–41.
