Last year when I was looking at the shelves of our spring arrivals, I knew something was missing. I was craving a classic sandal but with a twist; one I could wear with shorts and not feel overdressed or with a dress and feel too casual. I wanted something different than what I had in my closet. I needed to get out of my Birkenstocks and into something a bit more, well, sophisticated. I love my Birks - don't get me wrong - but it was time for an upgrade. 

This fall, I was in a showroom that represents different European brands, and I caught a glimpse of a tiny booth with rows and rows of sandals that were exactly what I had been looking to put on my feet last year. I recognized the name - K. Jacques - and knew I needed to place an order. The company is a third-generation family-run business. The sandals are all handmade in St. Tropez. I mean, what better place to have a sandal company than a Mediterranean paradise? Am I right? I cannot get the old 1980s jingle from the expensive sun lotion ads out of my head: "Bain de Soleil for the St. Tropez tan." I think I need a business trip to check out their flagship store and get a first-hand appreciation for their process!  

As someone who has foot problems in middle age (I know, the irony), I was a little skeptical of the comfort of this shoe, but after trying them on, I could tell these were not ordinary sandals. The leather is sourced from France and Italy and is considered some of the best quality in the world. The soles are thick and supportive without being uncomfortable, and the straps are softer and, after a few wears, will mold to your feet. Basically, they know what they are doing. They have been doing it since 1933. Here is just a little recap of how they are made:

• Each pair of sandals requires an hour of labor

• Assembly of the sandals involves 46 different steps and is carried out by the hands of 28 crafters

• 123 different elements are assembled for the more complex designs

So while they look simple, they are not your ordinary sandal. Maybe we all need a field trip to France just to check out the factory.