6 Pairs of Classic Sandals You Should Never Throw Away
Shoes are often talked about in fashion circles as the one thing that can truly update an outfit or finish off a look, and that’s often because it’s easier to pick up on a new trend via footwear than an entirely re-stocked closet full of clothes. On the flip side, however, you can always rely on classic shoe styles to come through for you. They may experience slight dips in popularity or sudden surges in being covetable again, but in general, there are some sound footwear choices that never fail and always appeal to the fashion set.
Many of these have been borne from a single iconic, normally expensive design. Our general tan sandal obsession would be nothing with Saint Laurent’s Nu Pieds or the Hermès Oran. Likewise, would the ongoing adoration for two-strap stilettos have ever existed if Manolo Blahnik’s Chaos heels weren’t so memorable and desirable? And that’s what we’re focusing on today—the instantly recognizable (or at least to those in know) sandal styles that have stood the test of time and can be guaranteed to look chic each and every summer.
Lucy Williams wearing Saint Laurent's Nu Pieds sandals.
They may not be the most on trend in every instance, but they are bona fide modern classics and therefore worth your time. It may also be likely that you own not the original design but one of the millions of inspired-by styles that have been created across the entire spectrum of the retail industry—at any given price point, you’ll find versions of these sandals such is their ubiquity within design circles.
Peony Lim in Manolo Blahnik's Chaos heels.
So we've rounded up the key classic designer sandals that you should never throw away as well the secondhand versions and iterations that sit within the same design family. Because, you know, options are a girls' best friend! Keep on scrolling for these top investment pieces.
Hermès: Oran Sandals
Manolo Blahnik: Chaos Sandals
Related: I'd Never Buy Designer Sandals—5 High-Street Brands I Turn to Instead
Saint Laurent: Nu Pieds
Prada: Saffiano Slides
René Caovilla: Cleo Sandals
Related: These Sandals Always Look Expensive, No Matter How Much You Spend
Jimmy Choo: Emily Sandals
Next up, your guide to the key sandal trends of 2019.
Opening Image: @lisasaysgah
Hannah Almassi is the Editor in Chief of Who What Wear UK. Hannah has been part of the the Who What Wear brand since 2015, when she was headhunted to launch the UK sister site and social channels, implement a localised content strategy and build out the editorial team. She joined following a seven-year tenure at Grazia magazine, where she led front-of-book news, fashion features and shopping specials as fashion news and features editor. With experience in both print and digital across fashion and beauty, Hannah has over 16 years in the field as a journalist, editor, content strategist and brand consultant. Hannah has interviewed industry heavyweights such as designers including Marc Jacobs and Jonathan Anderson through to arbiters of taste including Katie Grand and Anna Dello Russo. A skilled moderator and lecturer specialising in the shift to digital media and e-commerce, Hannah’s opinion and work has been sought by the likes of CNBC, BBC, The Sunday Times Style, The Times, The Telegraph and MatchesFashion.com, among many others. Hannah is often called upon for her take on trends, becoming known as a person with their finger of the pulse of what’s happening in the fashion space for stylish Brits.
Hannah currently resides in Eastbourne with her photographer husband, incredibly busy son and highly Instagrammable cat.
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