A good sandal earns its place through construction you can actually see and feel, not through decoration. Look at how the strap meets the sole, whether the leather has been folded and stitched properly at the joins, and whether the footbed has any real shape to it rather than a flat slab that will have you shifting your weight by midafternoon. Leather that’s been left to soften naturally will mould to the foot within a few wears, while anything stiff and heavily varnished tends to stay stiff, and that’s the difference between a sandal you reach for all summer and one that lives at the back of the shoe rack after a single outing.
The strap arrangement matters more than people assume. A single substantial strap across the toes or ankle reads more considered than a fussy multi strap version, and tends to be more forgiving of a wider foot. Anything with a proper ankle fastening, whether that’s a buckle or a tie, will hold the shoe in place through a full day of walking, which matters enormously once you’re on cobbles or moving between a lunch and an afternoon of errands.
A block heel or a flatform sole gives stability that a thin stacked heel simply can’t match on uneven ground, and it’s worth choosing that stability over a slightly sleeker line if you actually intend to wear the things outside.
Styling wise, the flatter and more architectural styles do the heavy lifting with tailored trousers or a slip skirt, bringing an ease to an otherwise sharp outfit. A heeled sandal with a proper ankle strap earns its keep with a fluid dress for dinner or an evening out, adding height without tipping into anything precarious.
Neutral leather tones, tan, black, a warm stone, will do more work across a season than a bold colour, though a strong metallic can be surprisingly good with denim once the weather turns properly warm.
As for occasion, this is a category that spans everything from a market morning to a wedding reception, provided the construction is right for the setting. Save anything delicate and strappy for pavement and lawn rather than gravel or sand, and keep one sturdier, flatter pair on rotation for the days that involve more walking than sitting.
Top Picks
SANDALNATURALIZERNaturalizer Della Platform Sandal Wedge Sandals, Beehive Yellow Multi Suede, 7.0M Open Toe
$159.99
$119.99 NATURALIZER
SANDALSHOEMALL.COMMasseys Miley Women's White Sandal 8 W
$29.97 SHOEMALL.COM
SANDALFRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Enrica Sandal (Cognac Leather) 9.5 M Square Toe, Slingback, Buckle Closure
$115.00 FRANCO SARTO
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Kendall Smooth Leather Slide Sandal, pink - 8.5
$118.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
RYKARyka Joy Strappy Sandal Flintstone Blue Fabric 11.0
$69.99 RYKA
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$28.00 SHOEMALL.COM
RYKARyka Echo Fisherman Sandal Black Mesh Fabric 8.0 W Lightweight
$69.99 RYKA
SHOEMALL.COMLady Couture of NY Seastar Women's Clear Gold Sandal 11
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SHOEMALL.COMSoftwalk Mabelle Women's Black Sandal 6.5
$144.95 SHOEMALL.COM
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$99.00 SHOEMALL.COM
SHOEMALL.COMJohnston & Murphy Marcia Cross-Band Sandal Women's Silver Sandal 11
$147.95 SHOEMALL.COM
SHOEMALL.COMMasseys Miley Women's White Sandal 8 W
$29.97 SHOEMALL.COM
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$125.00 SHOEMALL.COM
SHOEMALL.COMBlowfish Malibu Lakeshore Women's Tan Sandal 7
$34.29 SHOEMALL.COM
SHIEKHWomen Naomi Sandal Sandals 8 Black
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FARMRIOOrange Jelly Flower Wedge Sandal, TOFFEE
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FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Taziana Espadrille Slide Sandal (Black Leather) 7.0 M Round Toe, Platform Heels, Wedge Heels, Buckle Closure
$135.00 FRANCO SARTO
RYKARyka Viv Slingback Sandal White Alyssum 9.0 W
$59.99 RYKA
SHIEKHWomen Make-S Sandal Sandals 7.5 BLACK
$29.99 SHIEKH
SHIEKHWomen Belize-01 Flat Sandal Denim Sandals 5.5 Denim
$24.99 SHIEKH
CERQULARAlacant Vegan Suede Slide Cork Sandal
$69.95 CERQULAR
SHIEKHWomen Belize-01 Flat Sandal White Sandals 7 White
$24.99 SHIEKH
LARROUDEMary Kate Flat Sandal In Seaweed Leather - 7 / Seaweed
$115.00 LARROUDE
FRANCO SARTOSarto By Franco Sarto Shoes Sarto Jimena Sandal (Black Leather) 7.5 M Square Toe
$155.00 FRANCO SARTO
IFCHICY-3 Unisex Y-3 GSG9 Sandal - US 10.5
$380.00 IFCHIC
SAM EDELMANBay Jelly Slide Sandal Azure Blue Jelly
$60.00 SAM EDELMAN
SHIEKHWomen FD AUROY-S Flat Sandal Tan Sandal 8.5 Tan
$24.99 SHIEKH
TEVATEVA Women's Tirra Sport Sandal in Oyster Grey, Size 5.5
$100.00 TEVA
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Taziana Espadrille Slide Sandal (Leopard Print Calf Hair) 9.5 M Round Toe, Platform Heels, Wedge Heels, Buckle Closure
$145.00 FRANCO SARTO
LARROUDEAnnie Sandal In Silver Metallic Leather - 5 / Silver
$99.00 LARROUDE
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Enrica Sandal (Chocolate Braided Raffia) 9.0 M Square Toe, Slingback, Buckle Closure
$115.00 FRANCO SARTO
VICTORIA BECKHAM USVictoria Beckham Eliza Stiletto Sandal 75
$890.00 VICTORIA BECKHAM US
TEVATEVA Women's TirraTraveler Sandal in Crown Blue, Size
$90.00 TEVA
FRANCO SARTOFranco Sarto Shoes Franco Enrica Sandal (Cognac Leather) 9.5 M Square Toe, Slingback, Buckle Closure
$115.00 FRANCO SARTO
UGGUGG® Women's Frynn Short Bottoms Sandal in Cream, Size
$78.00 UGG
−92%
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$1.99 SHIEKH
−93%
SHIEKHWomen Melbourne-03 S Flat Sandal Silver Sandals 5.5 Silver$42.71
$2.99 SHIEKH
−62%
SHIEKHWomen Powder-S Thong Sandal Blue Shoes 6.5 Blue$39.45
$14.99 SHIEKH
−61%
KATE SPADE OUTLETKate Spade Kendall Jelly T-Strap Sandal$100.00
$39.00 KATE SPADE OUTLET
−44%
LIFESTRIDEBzees For LifeStride Shoes Beachy Bright Slingback Sandal (Barely Beige Shimmer Fabric) 9.5$89.27
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−41%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Delight Wedge Sandal (Peach Whip Shimmer Fabric) 8.5 W$84.73
$49.99 LIFESTRIDE
−14%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Free Love Platform Sandal Metallic Faux Leather DRSCH 9.0$69.76
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Lainey Strappy Sandal (Lux Navy Faux Leather) 12.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Genevieve Flat Sandal (Creme Beige Faux Leather) Fabric 7.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Genevieve Flat Sandal (Natural Tan Faux Leather) Fabric 8.5 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Celia Strappy Sandal (Sienna Beige Faux Leather) Fabric 6.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes Miami Wedge Sandal (Lux Navy Faux Leather) 6.0 W$79.99
$59.99 LIFESTRIDE
−14%
DR. SCHOLL'S SHOESDr. Scholl's Women's Free Love Platform Sandal White Faux Leather DRSCH 9.0$69.76
$59.99 DR. SCHOLL'S SHOES
−25%
LIFESTRIDELifeStride Shoes August Dress Sandal (Bone Faux Leather) 6.5$99.99
$74.99 LIFESTRIDE
−29%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Cersei Wedge Sandal T-Strap Sandals, Champagne Faux Leather, 7.0W Open Toe$119.70
$84.99 NATURALIZER
−29%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Cersei Wedge Sandal T-Strap Sandals, Porcelain Croco Faux Leather, 9.0W Open Toe$119.70
$84.99 NATURALIZER
−25%
NATURALIZERNaturalizer Della Platform Sandal Wedge Sandals, Beehive Yellow Multi Suede, 7.0M Open Toe$159.99
$119.99 NATURALIZER
−50%
REBECCA MINKOFF USRebecca Minkoff Studded Sandal$250.00
$125.00 REBECCA MINKOFF US
