The 9 Designer Sandals That Are Setting the Trends This Year

Ten years ago, the word "it" was only used to preface handbags, however, now there are just as many it dresses and it sandals as bags with headline-making waiting lists. The items selling out prematurely this year are predominately sandals. Good luck trying to get a pair of Prada's logo Velcro sandals—these are like Hamilton tickets to the fashion industry.

Whether you can afford to spend more than a £100 on sandals or not, designer shoes do steer the trends that you'll see all over the high street this summer. There are a few styles in particular that are really setting the agenda. You can't talk about sandal trends in 2019 without mentioning The Row's Bare Sandals. Thanks to these shoes, it is now considered chic to show as much foot as physically possible.

So far at Net-a-Porter this year, the site has sold 11,000 pairs of the naked barely there sandals, citing The Row's style as the most popular silhouette. Other shoes that deserve a special mention are Chloé's elegant sliders with a big C logo across the toe and Prada's flatform espadrilles, which are a practical choice.

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(Image credit: Song of Style)

Keep scrolling to see and shop the most popular designer sandals of 2019. 

1. Studio Amelia 02 Leather Sandals

Studio Amelia is a new sandal brand that launched on Net-a-Porter and Browns this year. The brand creates really delicate strappy flats and minimal sandals. The creative director, Emily Inglis, designs the shoes by marking eyeliner on her feet where she would like the straps to go.

2. The Row Bare Sandals

The Row's Bare Sandals arguably started the revival of naked '90s strappy stilettos. These are arguably the most sought-after luxury shoes of the year.

3. Prada Wedges

Prada has created lots of sandals this year that have created headlines—namely the Velcro logo sandals, which are now unavailable. Prada's footwear signature is chunky platforms, and this year, the brand has created espadrilles and flatforms with chunky bases.

4. Chloé Logo Sliders

This year, Chloé debuted its new C logo on its handbags, which fashion buyers got behind in a big way. Elizabeth von der Goltz, global buying director at Net-a-Porter, said in her 2019 trends presentation, "Chloé's Chloé Bag we have backed with around 20 options for both cruise and runway totalling to around 3000 units and making up 80% of our total Chloé bag buy." The French house has also created a loafer and slider version, with the C logo leather sandals coming in every colour you could wish for.

5. Gucci Patent Mules

Trust Gucci to make the boldest sandals of the lot. This year, the house's signature shoes are high-shine patent mules with horse-bit detailing and chunky statement heels. The buttery yellow shade has proved particularly popular.

6. By Far Carrie and Brigette Sandals

It can be difficult for Instagram-famous brands to maintain the momentum and keep creating cult item after cult item, but By Far is one of those labels that has managed to keep the level of hype by expanding beyond the square-toe strappy sandals which first made it famous.

7. Staud Billie Wedges

This year, Staud is bringing back many a divisive sandal trend—from flip flops to wedge mules. The Billie wedges are already a big hit with the influencer crowd and come in plenty of colours and leather effects.

8. ATP Atelier Toma Sandals

Scandi brand ATP Atelier creates beautiful minimal sandals that will go with everything and are true "if you know, you know" pieces. The Toma strappy heels are a signature of the brand.

9. Saint Laurent Nu Pieds

The Nu Pieds woven sandals aren't new, but these are shoes that will always be on any "best designer shoes" list.

Next up, see our guide to the key sandal trends for 2019.

Emma Spedding