Please Don't Wear Socks With These Luxury Sandals. Or Actually...
Sandals used to sit in that awkward middle ground, neither stylish nor entirely functional. But like most things in fashion, the narrative has flipped. Somewhere between the resurgence of gorpcore and the industry’s obsession with comfort, open-toe footwear has quietly become one of the most expressive categories in summer rotations everywhere.
From sculptural leather slip-ons to deliberately divisive toe-split silhouettes, this season’s best sandals won’t just complement an outfit, they'll define it. Whether to navigate a heatwave or escape to somewhere far wetter, the right pair carries more weight than ever.
Browse and shop our favorite pairs of summer shoes below.
Marsèll Brown Arsella Slip-on Sandals
There’s something quietly radical about what Marsèll does here. In a market saturated with overbuilt slides, the Arsella strips things back to near-nothing, with a razor-thin sole beneath buttery leather that folds and wraps like a second skin.
They feel less “designed” and more discovered, like something you’d pick up in a coastal town no one’s thought to name yet. They belong just as much at a low-lit dinner as they do a poolside at a forgotten villa.
Bottega Veneta Black & Green Trip Sandals
Bottega Veneta is known for its gorgeous, artisinal leather goods. Velcro sandals, however, are not what first comes to mind. And yet, with their humorous aesthetic nods to something your geography teacher would've worn, these bad boys excel at the given task.
Birkenstock 1774 London Suede Clogs
With Birkenstock’s 1774 line, the familiar becomes collectible. The London clog is reworked with soft suede and an almost sculptural buckle detail that feels closer to western design than footwear. It’s still the silhouette you know, just elevated to the point where it comfortably exists between everyday wear and fine dining piece. Arguably one of the most versatile options on this list.
Miu Miu Leather mules
Miu Miu understands virality, but more importantly, it understands how to sustain it. By reworking its boat shoe into a backless mule, the brand delivers something instantly wearable yet subtly subversive. Italian leather, clean lines, and just enough familiarity to make them a no-brainer. This is how you do “safe” without being boring.
Manolo Blahnik Otawi Woven Raffia Sandals
Raffia rarely reads as luxury, until Manolo Blahnik gets involved. The Otawi sandals are a masterclass in transformation: rustic material, executed with couture-level precision.
MR P. Leather Sandals
Mr. P taps into the flip-flop revival but refines it beyond recognition. Where others lean into nostalgia, this pair leans into construction with clean leather and considered proportions. Think less beachwear, more “I just threw this on” with suspiciously good taste.
Maison Margiela Tabi Flip Flops
You already know where you stand with Maison Margiela. The Tabi split-toe is either a dealbreaker or the entire point, and here, it finally makes functional sense. It’s provocative without trying too hard, conceptual without sacrificing wearability. And yes, it will divide opinions, which is exactly why it works.
Saint Laurent Nichols Leather Slides
Sometimes, the strongest move is restraint, clean lines, neutral tones, and silhouettes that adapt to whatever the night turns into. Because that’s the thing about summer: plans change, locations blur, and the best footwear doesn’t just keep up, it elevates every version of the moment.
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