Choosing sandals as a gift for the way they live
Start with how the recipient spends their warm months, not with the label. A pair worn to garden lunches, beach-town dinners and the office on a Friday needs a different build from one reserved for weddings and evenings out.
- Flat leather sandals suit daily wear and travel, and tend to age well with use.
- Heeled or embellished sandals belong to occasions; check whether the heel height matches what they already wear comfortably.
- Sport or footbed sandals offer cushioning for long days on their feet.
If they prefer something they can step into without buckles, our guide to designer slides covers that simpler silhouette. Sandals also pair naturally with a summer occasion, so they sit well among gifts for her for a birthday or Women's Day on 9 August.
Leather, soles and construction in luxury sandals
The quality of a sandal shows in places a photograph rarely captures. Look closely at three things.
- Straps. Calfskin is supple and takes a polish; suede is softer but marks more easily; exotic or metallic finishes are striking but need more care. Edges should be cleanly finished, painted or turned, never fraying.
- Footbed. A leather-lined footbed moulds to the foot over time and stays more comfortable in heat than synthetic linings.
- Sole. Leather soles are refined but slippery on wet tiles and wear quickly on paving; rubber or rubber-tipped soles are more practical for everyday wear.
For care, keep sandals away from pool water and sea salt where possible, wipe leather with a soft dry cloth after wear, and store them in their dust bags out of direct sunlight, which can fade colour and dry out leather. A cobbler can add a thin rubber protective sole to leather soles before the first outing.
Getting sandal sizing right
Sizing is the main risk with shoes as a gift. Most European houses size in EU sizes, while many South Africans know their size in UK sizes, and conversions vary slightly from house to house. Italian and French brands can also run differently from one another, and even between styles within the same collection.
Sandals are more forgiving than closed shoes in length, but less forgiving in width and strap placement. A few practical steps help:
- Check a pair they already own and wear often, noting the size on the insole.
- Note whether they have a wide or narrow foot, or a high instep, which affects strappy styles.
- Prefer adjustable buckles or slingbacks when you are unsure of the exact fit.
If in doubt, a recipient-chosen colour and size, presented with a card, is a gracious alternative to guessing.
Signature sandals from the leading houses
Several houses have sandal designs so recognisable they have become the reason people ask for them by name.
- Hermès, the Paris house with roots in saddlery, is known for the Oran, a flat sandal with an H-shaped cut-out. Our guide to Hermès sandals explains the styles and leathers.
- Gucci, founded in Florence, draws on its Horsebit hardware for loafer-inspired sandals and mules. See Gucci sandals for the key designs.
- Prada favours clean lines, technical materials and its triangle logo.
- Louis Vuitton brings its Monogram and Damier motifs to straps and footbeds.
- Dolce & Gabbana leans into Sicilian-inspired embellishment, prints and jewelled detail.
If you have a particular house, colour or occasion in mind, tell us what you are looking for and we will come back with options.