The Surprising Shoe Trend I Spotted Everywhere in European Airports

I travel a lot, which means I spend a lot of time in airports. I’ve become accustomed to all the chaos and travel drama by sticking to my routine and keeping my head down. I locate the perfect charging port—equidistant from the snack kiosk to my gate—and wait patiently for the now-boarding call. As a fashion editor, though, my eyes always wander and wonder: Who’s wearing what? (Ha!) Usually, the airport shoe game is pretty predictable—trusted Adidas Sambas, slip-on Birkenstock Bostons, or a reliable pair of New Balances. Yet, in all my travels, nothing could have prepared me for this European shoe trend.

In line for TSA. Ordering coffee. On standby for boarding. Everywhere I looked, the dogs were out. Open-toed sandals weren’t just the odd outlier. They were the new norm. Athens airport has first-class sandals. From pedicured to buffed, this bungee-breathable style took over the airport runway.