Flat sandals will automatically put you in a vacation state of mind.
If you’ve yet to notice the endless stream of fashion enthusiasts dressing as if they were on a beach in Bali, then let the number of flip-flop articles we’ve published be proof that they’re this season’s hottest footwear trend.
This, however, isn’t another. While we’re still of the opinion that the flip-flop is a warm weather essential, this season we’re casting our net a little wider in search of another go-to: flat sandals. Embodying the same philosophy of lightness, and facilitating the same desire to free your feet to the elements, it channels all the ease of a flip-flop, but with an elegance that makes it a Cinderella-worthy fit for whatever a day in town may throw your way.
Of course, the truly style-savvy will note that flat leather slippers have long been the must-have footwear of Brown aunties and uncles the world over: perennial wellsprings of style inspiration. Chanclas, chinelas, chappals… what they’re called depends on where in the world you are, but their longstanding popularity rests on the same qualities: durability and unfussy simplicity. Comprising an ultra-thin, ultra-flat sole and a strap that gently wraps around the foot, they don’t boast any superfluous details: just clean lines, high-quality leathers and perfect proportions. As luxury’s focus has increasingly shifted from excess to subtlety, it’s little wonder they’ve found a broader audience than ever before.
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If you’re after a pair with top-tier luxury cachet, look no further than Hermès, whose Oran sandal is immediately recognisable for its famous “H”-cutout strap. First introduced in 1997 – and named after the sun-soaked, coastal Algerian city where similar footwear styles are widely worn – they remain one of the most coveted shoes today, largely for the fact that they’re instantly recognisable without being flashy.
For an equally sophisticated option, there’s another great icon of the warm weather wardrobe: Saint Laurent’s Tribute flats. With their intertwined upper echoing a traditional cage sandal, reinterpreted with an open toe, they strike the balance between minimalism and bold visual impact, adding character to even the most low-lift of looks.
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