Soft Sunshine & Comfortable Steps: The Sandals I’m Packing for France
As the weather begins to warm and the days feel a little longer, I naturally start reaching for pieces that feel lighter, softer, and easier to wear throughout the day. This time of year always brings a sense of renewal, not only in the colors we gravitate toward, but also in the small routines that shape our daily lives.
With my trip back home to France coming up in May, I’ve started refining what I plan to pack, focusing on pieces that feel both beautiful and practical for long days of walking, exploring, and enjoying time outdoors. Shoes are always one of the most important decisions, especially when traveling somewhere that invites you to slow down and move through the day.
Testing Sandals Before My Trip
You may have already seen these sandals featured in my What to Pack for the South of France in Early Spring edit. I initially included the Freda Salvador SERA Fisherman Sandal in Dove White Calf with Gold Studs because of the exceptional reviews, particularly when it comes to comfort, which is always a priority when selecting shoes for travel.
Whenever possible, I like to test pieces myself, especially items that need to feel comfortable throughout the day. A sandal may look beautiful, but if it doesn’t feel comfortable for a full day of walking, it rarely makes it into my suitcase.
I recently wore them on a walk around my neighborhood to test them out, and so far they feel very promising. I have very sensitive feet and tend to get blisters easily, especially with new leather shoes, so the fact that they already felt comfortable on the first wear is a very encouraging sign. Overall, they felt supportive and easy to walk in, and I’m looking forward to continuing to wear them a bit more before my trip.
There is sometimes a short adjustment period with leather footwear, but when a pair already feels comfortable early on, it is usually a very good sign. I will continue wearing them leading up to France in May, but they are definitely coming with me. For reference, I ordered my usual size 7 and found them to fit true to size.
They also happen to be 20% off through April 19, which may be helpful to know if you were already considering them for the season or had your eye on another pair from this brand.
About the Brand
Freda Salvador was founded in 2012 by best friends Cristina Palomo Nelson and Megan Papay, combining Cristina’s heritage as a third-generation shoemaker with Megan’s background as a celebrity stylist. Based in Sausalito, California, the brand focuses on elevated classics reimagined through thoughtful design details and high-quality materials sourced from Spain and Italy.
Many of their styles are handcrafted in heritage factories across Spain, Italy, and El Salvador, where artisans use traditional techniques passed down through generations. This emphasis on craftsmanship, comfort, and longevity is part of what makes the brand stand out when looking for pieces designed to be worn season after season.
Their signature details, including subtle stud accents, woven textures, and refined silhouettes, bring a distinctive yet timeless perspective to everyday footwear.
A Soft Color Palette for the Season
Lately, I’ve been especially drawn to soft yellows, warm creams, and fresh blues. Perhaps it’s the beautiful weather we’ve been having, but these colors feel particularly uplifting right now.
Soft yellow brings warmth without feeling overwhelming, while cream tones create balance and softness. Light blues add a sense of freshness that feels very aligned with the season. Together, these tones create a palette that feels calm, optimistic, and timeless.
These colors also pair beautifully with natural textures such as linen, cotton, woven accessories, and smooth leather, creating outfits that feel relaxed yet still polished. The handbag featured here is a recent addition from the French brand Fleuron, which complements these tones beautifully! I recently shared a dedicated article exploring the bag and the story behind the brand if you’d like to discover more.
It’s a combination that transitions easily from everyday routines to travel wardrobes.
Everyday Moments That Inspire What We Wear
With the recent stretch of beautiful weather, I’ve found myself wanting to spend more time outside, whether that means going for a walk in the neighborhood, visiting the farmers market, meeting friends for a glass of wine, or simply enjoying a quiet coffee in the sun.
These everyday moments often influence the pieces I gravitate toward most, clothing that feels easy to wear, comfortable to move in, and versatile enough to adapt throughout the day.
A good pair of sandals becomes part of that rhythm. Something you can wear for a morning walk, an afternoon errand, or an early evening apéritif without needing to think twice about comfort.
Often, it’s these small, simple moments that shape how a season feels.
Looking Ahead to France in May
As May approaches, I find myself continuing to gravitate toward pieces that reflect the feeling of the season, breathable fabrics, soft color combinations, and silhouettes that allow for ease of movement throughout the day.
Packing always feels simpler when each piece works naturally with the others. When shoes are comfortable, colors feel cohesive, and fabrics feel effortless to wear, it becomes easier to focus on enjoying the experience rather than overthinking what to wear.
Often, the pieces we feel best in are the ones we reach for again and again.
I’ll be sharing more of what I plan to bring with me soon, including the pieces and combinations that feel most aligned with the season and the places I’ll be visiting!
More Sandal Inspiration
If you’re looking for additional sandal inspiration this season, I recently shared a dedicated edit featuring several beautiful styles from French brands that are worth bookmarking, whether for a future trip or simply as inspiration while building your warm-weather wardrobe.
Many of these brands focus on thoughtful materials and timeless silhouettes that feel refined yet easy to wear throughout the day. I always enjoy discovering options that balance aesthetics with comfort, especially when looking for pieces designed to be worn across multiple seasons.
It can be helpful to keep a shortlist of styles you love, whether you are planning upcoming travels or simply looking to invest in pieces that will remain relevant year after year.
Final Thoughts
As the season begins to shift, I find myself drawn to pieces that feel both uplifting and easy to wear, soft colors, comfortable silhouettes, and materials that move naturally throughout the day. The goal is always to build a wardrobe that feels supportive of everyday life while still feeling thoughtful and refined.
The Freda Salvador SERA Fisherman Sandals initially caught my attention because it balances simplicity with practicality, something that becomes especially important when preparing for travel. When a piece feels comfortable early on, it often becomes one you reach for repeatedly, whether at home or while exploring somewhere new.
I’ll continue wearing them over the next few weeks as I prepare for France, but based on my first impressions, they already feel like a strong addition to my spring wardrobe.
Sometimes it’s the smallest details, a comfortable pair of shoes, a soft color palette, a warm afternoon walk, that end up shaping the feeling of a season.
And often, those are the pieces that travel with us the furthest!
Looking for more finds? You might also be interested in:
Disclosure: This post features certain items that were kindly gifted.
With Amour,
M.