There are many words in the English language which bear a similar meaning and this similarity in meaning causes a large amount of confusion.
Among many other words toward which people have such misconception are sandal and chappal.
Sandal and Chappal are both forms of footwear but these two are completely different things.
To start it is very important to understand what both sandal and chappal exactly mean.
Key Takeaways
- Sandals have straps over the foot and around the ankle, whereas chappals are open-toed and have a single strap across the foot.
- Sandals are worn for more formal occasions than chappals, which are considered more casual.
- Women wear sandals more commonly, while men and women in South Asian countries wear chappals.
Sandal vs Chappal
Sandals are footwear with enclosed heels and straps that go over the foot, while chappal is a simple slip-on footwear without any back. Sandals offer more support and protection, while chappals are easy to wear. Sandals have different styles and materials, whereas chappals are leather or rubber.
The sandal is a light shoe with an open top and does not cover the heel or toes. Sometimes it is latched with either a belt or by any other means.
It features an openwork upper and is designed to be worn for all kinds of occasions.
Chappals are simply slippers produced in India. It has been worn by the people of India for generations.
They are lightweight shoes that are simple to slip on and take off and are designed to be utilized inside, primarily at home.
When strolling indoors, they give protection and comfort to the feet.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Sandal | Chappal |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Flat or high-heeled soles over which straps are attached. | Flat soles attached with a Y-shaped strap. |
| Material | Leather, wood, or rubber | Rubber |
| Ankle support | Yes | No |
| Appearance | Sophisticated and formal | Casual and indoor wear |
| Usage | During vacations, shops, restaurants, etc. | Roaming in your house, walking on a beach, etc., |
| Affordability | Less affordable | Easily affordable |
What is Sandal?
Sandals are the world’s oldest style of shoe.
They precede the historical record and early variants of sandals were undoubtedly used tens of thousands of years ago.
The sandal is the most fundamental type of shoe. They are constructed of soft, natural fabrics that flow over the foot, such as leather.
They are held in place with a rear strap that fits just below the ankle.
The oldest sandals ever discovered were discovered in Oregon, USA.
Radiocarbon analysis of the sandals, which were made from sagebrush bark, indicates that they are at least 10,000 years old.
It is unknown who wore the sandals, although it is known that they were quite prevalent in ancient times.
Sandals constructed of papyrus and palm leaves were popular among the Ancient Egyptians.
The Greeks, who were a bit more evolved in terms of footwear, were already selecting for leather, while the Romans, who were quite excellent at ‘adopting’ things from other civilizations, took the Greek notion and elaborated on it, developing the long, numerous strapped sandals we now call gladiator sandals.
Even though many sandals bind the straps to the sole, unlike a flip flop, the connecting point is not between the toes.
However, a strap is employed that goes over the toes and the top of the foot from side to side. Sandals are still widely worn nowadays.
They are frequently built of contemporary materials and available in a variety of forms and applications.
Over time, several civilizations have evolved their own ‘spin’ on the sandal. However, certain things have stayed constant.
Today, it’s usual to find sandals with bottoms made of a variety of materials, including leather, wood, cork, rubber, and even rope, although the heels may fluctuate in height and style, a sandal is still identified by its open upper.
Sandals are extremely adaptable footwear.
They are commonly thought of as a summertime shoe, ideal for vacation nights or strolls down the boardwalk for both men and women, but they may also be worn as a professional shoe at any time of year.
They can sometimes be as casual – or as glamorous – as desired by the wearer.
What is Chappal?
A chappal is a kind of slipper. Chappals are ubiquitous household footwear with special use.
They are the oldest style of the shoe still in use, second only to sandals.
It is regarded as a light form of footwear that is intended to be worn indoors, particularly at home.
They are constructed of soft fabrics and feature a firm sole, as well as the cloth that wraps around the foot to assist keep the slipper in place.
Only till recently, chappals were largely handcrafted, by the individual who wore them or with assistance.
Chappals were created from the components that were accessible in such instances.
The major aim was to keep the feet warm while also providing some protection. On cold nights, a comfortable pair of chappals were welcomed.
It may be distinguished by its distinct design characteristics, which begin with the name itself. The chappals are intended to be “slipped” onto the foot.
Chappals with tougher materials around the toe are available in a variety of styles. Some can also be worn outside but under limited circumstances.
They have a hard sole in case you need to step outside, for instance, to pick up the paper. Otherwise, they are intended to be worn indoors.
It’s also mostly flat, with very little arch support. Nonetheless, several designs incorporate additional support for the arches or fillers that may be employed.
Chappals are meant to be worn when walking comfortably. Additionally, they are intended to be worn comfortably when standing, sitting, or lying down.
Main Differences Between Sandal and Chappal
- Sandals are flat or high-heeled soles over which straps and thongs are attached to firmly hold the sole along with ankle support while chappals are flat soles attached with a Y-shaped strap between the positions of the big toe and the small toe to hold your feet back.
- The sandal can be made of leather, wood, or rubber, and chappals are made of rubber usually. But can also be made from, coconut, or hemp.
- Sandal offers ankle support with a durable strap using a buckle or Velcro at the ankle, unlike chappal does not offer ankle support.
- The sandal has more of a sophisticated and formal appearance while the chappal has a more casual and indoor appearance.
- The sandal can be used during vacations, or for going to outdoor places like shops, hotels, restaurants, etc. whereas chappal can be used while roaming in your house, taking a shower, going on a vacation, walking on a beach.
- The sandal is a little more expensive because of the variety and sophistication required in production meanwhile chappal is cheaper because of the very low costs of production.
- http://80.218.188.166:81/wikipedia_en_all_novid_2017-08/A/Footwear.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc5881131/
Last Updated : 17 July, 2023
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️
Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
