Loose Women's Frankie Bridge looked effortlessly stylish in a pair of black chunky sandals
Sandal season is here and once again, the chunky black sandal is this summer's must-have style, as demonstrated by Loose Women's Frankie Bridge. Over the weekend, the star was spotted wearing a fashionable high street pair that cost less than £30, with one shopper going so far as to call them "the most comfy shoes to have ever graced my feet".
The 36-year-old TV star showcased a series of half term-ready outfits on Instagram over the weekend as part of her weekly 'Faves' series. One outfit saw the former Saturdays singer don a smart-casual ensemble, made up of stretch-waist trousers, a black tee, a leather jacket, sunglasses, a stylish bag and the aforementioned sandals, that you can check out here.
The trousers, from Topshop, were a pinstripe bobbi boxer jogger in beige which offer a relaxed feel and elasticated waist for ultimate comfort.
We've seen Frankie wear a similar pair in the form of some slouchy pinstripe River Island jeans in the past, though the Topshop pair are more suited to the summer months with their lightweight fabric.
However, it was her sandals that shoppers have been raving about, having achieved a 4.6 star rating on the New Look website, where more than 280 shoppers have shared their opinions about the footwear. The Black Leather-Look Chunky Sliders cost £27.99 and feature a fashionable chunky sole and cushioned padding.
The retailer even recommended them as 'the perfect pair for all of your summer events, reports the Mirror.
One customer praised them as: "Literally the most comfy shoes to have ever graced my feet," whilst another remarked: "Too chunky for me. Looked funny but very comfy."
Featuring a slip-on design with rip-tape fastening, they're designed for lounging by the pool or heading out for dinner. As we know, Frankie stands at a petite 5'3", so the chunky sole is brilliant for adding some height to an outfit without necessarily needing to resort to heels.
"Lovely comfy sandals that can be dressed up or down," said another fashion enthusiast. "I love the adjustable top strap and they definitely look more expensive than they were. The footbed is also very cushioned and comfy to walk in."
A fourth shopper added: "Comfortable and stylish, these chunky sliders are a must in your summer wardrobe. They fit like a dream and give that little bit of height needed. They are also super comfy!".
However, one customer expressed disappointment at their durability - but has still proceeded to purchase multiple pairs. They said: "Love the look and style but the sole doesn't stand up to much usage. I bought two pairs last year and both split completely.
"However they aren't expensive and I wore them on repeat. You get what you pay for I guess. I like them enough to have bought a 3rd pair for this summer."
Another was 'concerned' they wouldn't appear as good as they do in the photos but was delighted to find that 'they do'. "I purchased them for a holiday in a few months and wanted something I could walk a lot in whilst still feeling comfortable and stylish.
"The material is soft and doesn't seem like it would rub at all. The footbed is soft and squidgy. As someone with narrow feet, I appreciate the velcro strap because it makes a world of difference to me. I do think these are overall a narrow fit though and perhaps not great for wider feet."
One holidaymaker claimed they walked "miles" in the sandals without any complaints, saying: "I bought these for my summer holiday, and they are perfect. Very comfortable and feels good on the feet. Can walk with them miles and still comfy."
While some fashion sources might suggest that jelly shoes and wooden clogs are the "it shoe" for 2025, we firmly believe that there's still a place for the classic black sandal, and there are plenty on the market to choose from, from Dr Marten's Blaire Athena Leather Strap Sandals for £100, to the Black Raffia Platform Wedge Sandals from River Island, which come in at £36.
They're an accessory that can be styled with various outfits, working well with shorts, skirts, dresses, and even jeans. The key is about balancing the chunky sandals with other parts of the outfit, creating contrast with lighter colours or textures, which is exactly what Frankie did with her light coloured trousers.
Loose Women's Frankie Bridge isn't only inspiring fans with her fashion sense, but with her beauty tips too. While on holiday in Dubai back in February, after a fan enquired about her secret to achieving flawlessly fluffy eyebrows, Frankie disclosed: "My day-to-day choice is Refy. On this trip I've been using Got2Be because it's waterproof."
