'sandal-esque' originates from the English word 'sandal,' combined with the suffix '-esque,' which is used to form adjectives meaning 'in the style of' or 'resembling.'

'sandal' comes from the Greek word 'sandalon,' and '-esque' is derived from the Italian '-esco,' which was used in the same way.

Initially, 'sandal' referred to a type of footwear, and '-esque' was used to denote resemblance, leading to the modern meaning of 'sandal-esque' as 'resembling a sandal.'