Women's sandals and espadrilles for summer

Sandals or espadrilles: which to choose?

Women’s sandals leave the foot exposed and range from flat to wedge styles; the espadrille, made of canvas on a braided rope sole, covers the front of the foot and is worn in warm, dry weather.

For long walks or swimming, sandals are the better choice; for a holiday look with a dress or linen trousers, go for espadrilles. Each type has its own section, detailed below.

What types of sandals are there?

The flat sandal is the lightest option for the city; its anatomical sole supports the arch of the foot; hiking styles, which are adjustable, grip well on trails. All these styles are described on the sandals page.

The wedge sandal adds a few centimetres with a single-piece sole, without the curve of a thin heel: the weight is distributed along the length of the foot. Slim-heeled sandals can be found among the heels and court shoes.

Leather, cork or synthetic: which material?

Leather moulds to the foot, allows the skin to breathe, and lasts for several seasons. For leather sandals, a leather insole also absorbs sweat better.

Cork lightens anatomical soles and cushions the step. Synthetic materials and rubber, often in vegan options, withstand water and can be easily wiped clean: these are the sandals for the beach. The rope of espadrilles, however, does not like dampness.

How to wear sandals and espadrilles?

Espadrilles go well with a flowy dress or linen trousers; a wedge sandal lengthens the leg under a skirt or shorts.

In the evening, a gold or metallic sandal is enough to dress up a simple outfit; natural leather matches denim and light summer colours.

Which sandal brands to choose?

From anatomical comfort to woven leather, here are the sandal brands from the page.

• Birkenstock, a German brand, has made its anatomical sole the foundation of sandals like Madrid and Arizona.
• Patented comfort technologies equip a large part of Tamaris' footwear, including sandals.
• Les Tropéziennes par M. Belarbi comes from Saint-Tropez and enjoys working with woven or iridescent leather.
• Pikolinos, a Spanish brand from Elche founded by a former leather cutter, processes leather in its own tannery.
• Geox, based in Italy, has made breathable soles its specialty.
• For height without a heel, Buffalo relies on platform soles, often made from vegan materials.

What types of sandals can you find here?

Two pages gather summer shoes by family, making it easy to find what you’re after.

• Women’s sandals include flat, wedge, anatomical or hiking styles.
• Espadrilles feature models in canvas with rope soles.

For the pool and home, slides and flip-flops are easy to slip on.

When can you find sandals at discounted prices?

Sandals and espadrilles are the summer shoes: summer sales happen right in the season for discounted sandals, while Black Friday and winter sales occur off-season, helping you prepare for sunny days.

The sandals and espadrilles page for Black Friday gathers November offers. Sale discounts are listed on the women’s shoes sale page, and the Promotions page features discounted models all year round. Fast shipping and best price guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Sandals or espadrilles for a wedding?

A wedge sandal or one with a broad heel, in leather or metallic colours, performs better on grass than a thin heel. For a rustic wedding, a wedge espadrille works just as well.

Can you wear sandals with socks?

Yes, in the mid-season: a fine, plain or ribbed sock under an anatomical sandal has become a style statement. Match the colour of the cotton socks to the sandals or your outfit.

What sandals to take on holiday?

A flat leather sandal for the city and a hiking sandal for the beach and walks will cover most trips. Add espadrilles if the weather remains dry.

Sandals or mules: what’s the difference?

The sandal holds the foot with straps, often including a back strap; the mule leaves the heel free. For long walks, a back strap holds the foot better.

How to protect sandals from salt and sun?

Rinse salt off with fresh water, let them dry in the shade, then nourish the leather. Drying in direct sunlight can dry out cork and harden leather sandals.