“If you have weird feet, don’t show them on the tube”: how to prepare your feet for summer

The warmer months are a trying time for trotters… so some public service journalism ahead. Please (please!) be very careful before exposing London to your feet. Of course, you have the right to report them, but do so knowing that you are taking on a great responsibility. The sun has risen, but like the summer body, your toes won’t be ready overnight.

According to Margaret Dabbs OBE, known for pampering celebrities and the international political elite, preparation is key. “Exfoliation is key,” she says. “File your feet when dry (before bathing or showering) for two minutes per foot, focusing on areas of hard, dry skin. Never underestimate the benefits of using an exfoliating scrub on all feet (do it twice a week), including between the toes and on the nails.

Then, use a foot cream before bed and wake up with new feet. With rugged regions banned, toenails are the next disaster area to repair. “To treat them best, file the toenails from one end to the other. This promotes healthy nail growth and seals the nail edge to prevent splitting. Split nails for summer? Directly in Siberia.

All that’s left to do is deal with the weird, wiry hairs that grow on a Birkenstock. Do this with a hard touch. “Toe hair removal is very important when wearing sandals,” says Dabbs. “Do it using a gentle hair removal cream, which gives you no downtime.” So your smooth and elegantly filled soles are ready for their big debut! What to wear? “No flip-flops in town!” exclaims celebrity stylist Luke Day. “They’re just for the beach; you’re just asking for a stubbed toe on the subway. If you want to free up the toes, a sleek leather sandal or Birkenstocks are pretty acceptable,” he says, “but for me, loafers or even boat shoes are more appropriate. »

Beware of “invisible socks,” he warns (“you always see them, and they always look bad”) and remember: “If you have funny feet, don’t put others through it.” Socks and sandals are cool, socks and slides even cooler, especially with shorts. So, it’s better to move forward.