In this week s Times Style Section: Breaking news on strappy sandals and skankified feet!

The months of swaddling winter-tenderized feet in tights, thick socks and shock-absorbing boots are over. Now is when many women willingly squeeze their vulnerable toes into sandals that slice unforgiving into the skin.


Eva Gajzer, who sells shoes and clothing at Kirna Zab te, a SoHo boutique, has witnessed the casualties. "Band-Aids, I see them all the time," Ms. Gajzer said.

Suddenly women are pulling out shoes with straps "like little knives," she said. "They walk into the store with their feet completely covered in blood."

Ms. Gajzer faults the shoemaker, not the wearer. "When you're paying between $300 and $600 for a pair of sandals, you expect them to be remotely comfortable," she said. "Otherwise the designer should be smacked."

Covered in blood? Who s designing these shoes — Ginsu? Listen, we re not going to comment on the decision to spend $300 - $600 on sandals or who exactly needs to be smacked in this scenario (that s what mothers are for), but we will say that when they leave your feet looking like a couple of slaughtered animals, it s time to reevaluate. —NH
 The Cry of the Sandal Is Heard in Our Land [NYT]