Navy occupies an inconveniently useful space between black and tan – but that’s precisely why the best sandals are made in it rather than beige or grey. Navy reads as intentional rather than “safe”, dark enough to serve black’s purposes but warm enough that it doesn’t look harsh against nude skin in summer. Speaking of leather, that’s another important factor. A great pair of navy sandals will be evenly dyed all the way through – so rather than showing a lighter shade once they’re scuffed and creased at the toe after a few wearings, they’ll weather evenly. With cheaper sandals, the poor dye job will start to show at the edges of straps first, cracking or fading to a dusty grey after a few months.
Fit really is where most sandals fall down – or in. – Annoyingly tight. The straps should lie flat against your foot without pinching, and if the sandals have a buckle or toe post, they should have enough range there to allow for your feet to swell ever-so-slightly over a warm day. They will swell. No matter how nice the sandals look, avoid shoes with rigid soles that offer no cushion underfoot. Yes, they might look good when you’re wearing them on display in the store, but sandals are only as good as how often you wear them – and something that’s uncomfortable will spend all summeron the shoe rack. Look for sandals with a moulded footbed that has some contour to it, and avoid suede heals that are thin and pencil-like. Navy is primarily for day and early evening wear, so a block or wedge heel will offer more stability.
Speaking of wear, styling navy sandals is honestly simple. Under midi or wide-legged linen trousers, the colour coordinates with denim and chambray rather than competing with it. Navy also does something magic with whites and creams, toning down the contrast between the colours so that your outfit looks less sterile than if you’d worn black. Wear them against warm colours like green, rust or mustard and they add a subtly dressed up vibe, ideal for things you want to look pulled together without looking like you’re on vacation. Fridays at the office, we’re looking at you.
Think of it as the sandal you reach for when an occasion calls for smart without stern. Pair them with everything on your summer weekend wardrobe checklist – summer lunches, beach towns, barbeques in the garden. They’re also great on travel days when you don’t feel like black sandysweat against sun and sand, andTransition into fall better than tan sandals, which can start to look tentatively autumnal as soon as the nights draw in. The ones you truly never regret buying are ones you can wear til they actually show signs of wear, rather than ones you photograph once then pack away.
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