By Manish Puri.
By the time you read this I will have returned from my first-ever trip to Thailand, a glorious fortnight spent in Bangkok and some of the southern islands including Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao – both of which are popular with backpackers, the latter renowned for its diving and the former its Full Moon Parties.
Given that reputation, coupled with the withering tropical climate, I knew that (with the heaviest of hearts) I just might have to leave my cream linen DB suit and cordovan loafers at home, and pivot toward a more casual holiday wardrobe.
I’ve already been asked by Simon to pick through some of the holiday outfits I wore. That article will follow soon, but today I wanted to share with you the unexpected hit of my travels: a pair of Rondini sandals that I bought expressly for the trip.
My go-to holiday footwear has traditionally been Moonstar Gym Classics in white (below). They’re lightweight, fairly comfortable, and passable with casual tailored trousers when clean – which is rare. But even these canvas shoes can feel hot, especially if worn with socks (invisible or otherwise).
The only open-toe shoes I previously owned were a pair of black Havaianas – which I must have bought on a dare. They are supremely naff, with an uncomfortable wedge of hard rubber jammed between your toes and a flimsy sole that flaps and yaps around the heels like an irritating dog. In case I haven’t made it clear, I don’t like them.
And yet, I dutifully pack them in my suitcase for every warm weather trip, pull them out only when absolutely necessary, and hate every second they’re on my feet. And the cruelest twist is that I then tell myself it’s not worth spending money on a better pair as I’m just not a ‘sandals guy’ – thereby ensuring that the Havaianas and I are destined to remain entwined in a loveless tango for at least one more holiday.
However, this time around, in anticipation of the environment I’d be travelling in, I was determined to broker a reconciliation of styles between the ubiquitous Birkenstock-clad backpacker and my own instinctively dressier leanings.
In a startling act of pro-activity, I did what I suspect a lot of us do before travelling: consult Permanent Style. Simon’s article on sandals featured the Rondini ‘Bande Coupée’ model, which I like, but I wanted something that would grip the foot a little more.
I eventually opted for the ‘British’ model on the advice of a super helpful reader comment from Eric Michel. And cos I’m well British, innit.
Eric said they were “very comfortable”, and he’s absolutely right. I picked up a box of plasters expecting the leather to chafe against my sockless toes, but I didn’t have to use a single one – even after wearing the sandals for long strolls.
My usual shoe size is UK 8.5-9 (EU 42.5-43): if it’s a wider shoe the 8.5 is often fine, if it’s narrower I go for a 9 and accept that in exchange for more comfort across the instep I might have to add an insole or heel grip to secure my foot.
A warning to potential customers: the Rondini website crashes more frequently than a fairground bumper car. But when it works it’s diligent in helping you find the right size, using a series of detailed measurements – length, width and circumference around various parts of the foot – to recommend a size to you.
The website suggested I go for EU43 (UK9). I was slightly nervous that this would be a touch loose as there wouldn’t be enough time to exchange them before my departure (and adding a heel grip would presumably be ineffective). However my nervousness was unfounded, and they’ve proved to be absolutely perfect.
Over time the leather straps have stretched a touch – which has actually been welcome as my feet can swell in extremely hot climates. But the sandals continue to hold my feet securely, and I always have the option to buckle them tighter.
The sandals are adept at transitioning between short/T-shirt and trouser/shirt combos. (I’ll talk through some of the outfits in more detail in that upcoming article).
The other unexpected benefit was already elucidated in Simon’s article, where he said that one of the advantages of a sandal on holiday was “having a shoe to quickly slip on and off”.
In this respect, the Rondinis have been invaluable in Thailand where local custom often requires shoes to be removed before entering homes, temples, and even shops and restaurants.
I’ve enjoyed wearing the sandals so much that I’m tempted to pick up a pair of the ‘Franciscaines Fines’ model (above). It’s the style I was originally drawn to, before opting in favour of the chunkier British model – an all round safer/more conservative option for the first timer.
I’d also like to try something in a darker colour (‘coffee’ or ‘black’) which I think will pair more successfully with my preferred darker tailored trousers than the Rondini default ‘natural’ colourway.
The only downside to having such an uncovered foot is that it left me exposed to a snake bite while returning home from the beach one morning.
Fortunately, the assailant in question (a green cat snake) is only “mildly venomous” – which is like describing someone as “not a very good murderer” – so I didn’t require any medical treatment.
To be honest, I didn’t really mind getting bitten as this is the manliest thing to happen to me since I asked for more drape in the chest of my suits. However, on that fateful morn, as I sat on the kerb and inspected the blood and the puncture marks, I couldn’t help but think to myself, “this wouldn’t have happened if I was wearing my cordovan loafers”.
