You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

The Biblical rain we have endured in the UK this year means that sandals haven’t exactly been on the agenda of late, as nobody wants to navigate puddles in soggy Birkenstocks. But this week a mini heatwave has hit our shores, which has no doubt left many Brits investing in Aperol, booking emergency pedicures and realising their trusty sandals don’t have another summer in them.

When it comes to sandal trends this year, the spring/summer 2024 collections included many nostalgic styles that evoke memories of slurping Fab lollies on jolly seaside holidays. There were squishy jelly shoes at The Row, colourful rope sandals at Miu Miu and simple black flip-flops at Chanel. Yes, that distinctive sound of rubber flip-flops slapping against pavements has returned and will be the dominant background noise at airport terminals and World Heritage Sites this summer. However, not all of this year’s trending sandals are so overtly “beach.” Other popular styles include elegant leather caged Fishermans, ’90s-style sandals with very fine straps and Malbec-hued leathers.

There are certain brands that we can always rely on for comfortable and stylish summer sandals. As always, we have focused on the labels that offer longevity – these shoes are built to withstand a high step count and will function as a staple within your summer capsule for years to come. Hermès has been a favourite ever since it created the timeless leather Oran flats (with the signature H logo used as a strap across the foot) in 1997, while Marni has long been a fashion editor choice thanks to the chunky, distinctive sandals that add an edge to pretty summer dresses.

You can’t talk about luxury sandals without mentioning The Row, which has quickly become a go-to for those who are willing to spend £1,000 on a sandal. From the chunky Ginza flip-flops to the caged Fishermans to aqua Jelly shoes, the Olsen twins’s minimalist fashion empire has been the catalyst for all of the biggest sandal trends over the past few years. The likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Kendall Jenner, Zoë Kravitz and Hailey Bieber have all played a part in The Row’s success story.

As for mid-priced, contemporary labels, A.Emery and St. Agni both create simple, leather sandals that you can wear at home and away. If you want classic, timeless styles with an island sensibility, nowhere does this better than Ancient Greek Sandals, which has an ethos and aesthetic rooted in ancient Greek mythology and traditional craftsmanship, with the founder Christina Martini working from Corfu. These handmade leather sandals are crafted using local techniques, and look like the sort of shoes you could smugly reply to inevitable compliments, “Oh these? I found them in a tiny place in Paros.”

Of course, you can’t talk about sandal brands without mentioning the power house that is Birkenstock. Practical two-strap Arizonas have swung from a mundane choice into a celebrity staple, with everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Tracee Ellis Ross snapped in the flat shoe in recent years. On the subject of non-fashion sandals becoming fashion sandals, last summer, Vogue’s Daniel Rodgers wrote that it was high time the divisive Havaiana flip-flop, beloved by Paris Hilton and Lauren Conrad in the ’00s, made a comeback, writing “It sits outside of fashion and has that same unshakeable self-confidence I imagine a lifeguard might possess.” And as he predicted, we have seen plenty of the Brazilian flip-flops already this summer.

From Prada to Arket, keep reading for the Vogue guide to the 12 best brands for sandals.

Ancient Greek Sandals

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Ancient Greek Sandals

Saionara Jelly

£110

Ancient Greek Sandals

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Ancient Greek Sandals

Chora Block Heel

£220

Ancient Greek Sandals

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Ancient Greek Sandals

Cosmia Sandals

£175

Ancient Greek Sandals

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Ancient Greek Sandals

Flip Flop

£130

Ancient Greek Sandals

Birkenstocks

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Birkenstock

Buckled Flip-Flops

£140

Farfetch

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Birkenstock

Arizona Suede Sandals

£95

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Birkenstock

Milano Glossed-Leather Slingback Sandals

£150

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Birkenstock 1774

Arizona 1774 Leather Sliders

£380

Harvey Nichols

A.Emery

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

A.Emery

Elliot Leather Sandals

£160

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

A.Emery

Shel Leather Sandals

£170

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

A.Emery

Morgan Suede Flip Flops

£150

Harvey Nichols

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

A.Emery

Jalen Slim Leather Sandals

£170

Net-a-Porter

The Row

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

The Row

Ginza Platform Flip-Flops

£960

NET-A-PORTER

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

The Row

Link Leather Sandals

£860

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

The Row

Fisherman Woven Textured-Leather Sandals

£1,060

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

The Row

Buckle Leather Sandals

£1,250

Harvey Nichols

ATP Atelier

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Rosa Leather Thong Sandals

£200

Harvey Nichols

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

ATP Atelier

Suede Sandals

£150

The Outnet

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

ATP Atelier

Alife Leather Wedge Mules

£208

The Outnet

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

ATP Atelier

Square-Toe Leather Mules

£448 £224

Farfetch

Jimmy Choo

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

JIMMY CHOO

Onyxia 70

£750

Jimmy Choo

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

JIMMY CHOO

Biscuit Nappa Leather Mules

£625

Jimmy Choo

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

JIMMY CHOO

Val 90 Champagne Metallic Snake Printed Leather Mule Sandals

£595

Jimmy Choo

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Hawke Mule Flat

£675

Jimmy Choo

Arket

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Arket

Woven Leather Slides

£135

Arket

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Arket

Leather Slides

£139

Arket

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Arket

Mesh Slides

£139

Arket

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Arket

Chunky Leather Sandals

£139

Arket

St. Agni

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

St. Agni

Twill Wedge Sandals

£251

Net-a-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

St. Agni

Pina Leather Slingback Sandals

£275

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Woven Leather Platform Slides

£275

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Loe Suede Slides

£245 £172

Net-A-Porter

Prada

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Prada

Logo Fisherman Sandals

£650

MyTheresa

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Prada

Fussbett Quilted Leather Sandals

£900

MyTheresa

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Prada

Logo-Lettering Satin Sandals

£850

Farfetch

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Prada

Leather Slides

£650

MyTheresa

Marni

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Marni

Fisherman Leather Sandals

£677

Farfetch

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Marni

Fussbet Criss-Cross Sandals

£590

Farfetch

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Marni

Fussbett Leather Slingback Sandals

£590

Net-A-Porter

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Marni

Black And White Leather Fussbett

£590

Marni

Hermes

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Hermès

Oran Sandals

£610

Hermès

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Hermès

Inboard Sandals

£670

Hermes

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Hermès

Chypre Sandal

£730

Hermes

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Hermès

Oran Sandal

£1,350

Hermès

Havaianas

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Slim Square Flip Flops

£30

Office

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Brasil Logo Flip Flops Navy

£30

Office

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Havaianas

Brasil Logo Flip Flops

£30

Office

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal

Paratay Buckle Turtle Sandals

£36

Office

You Can Always Rely On These 12 Brands To Create The Perfect Summer Sandal