By Adrienne Faurote, Fashion & Jewelry Director / Editor-in-Chief of Haute Time
Summer sandals have split into two distinct camps this year, and the most interesting part of the season is how confidently both are being worn at once. On one side: the quiet-luxury minimalists — a single leather strap, no logo, nothing to prove. On the other: sculptural, almost architectural statement pieces that treat a sandal as a small piece of design rather than an afterthought to the outfit.
Photo Credit: Mark Squires for Haute Living
The brands leading both categories right now are the ones actually moving in affiliate shopping data, not just runway coverage — so this is a list built for buying, not just admiring. Here’s what’s worth the investment for Summer 2026.
No sandal has earned “quiet luxury icon” status quite like the Oran, and nearly three decades after its 1997 debut, it remains one of the most reliably in-demand pieces in designer sandal shopping.
If one shoe defined the minimalist-luxury shift of the last few years, it’s The Row’s Bare sandal — a single strappy leather silhouette, available flat or on a 65mm heel, with absolutely nothing extraneous about it.
Under creative director Chemena Kamali, Chloé’s Nama wedge has become the house’s clearest trending signature — hand-braided cowhide straps, gold-tone Paddington buckles, and a lightweight recycled platform finished with tonal blanket stitching that takes over four hours to complete by hand.
Miu Miu’s Spring 2026 show leaned hard into workwear-inspired footwear, from a minimalist square-toe gladiator sandal to more maximalist styles finished with chunky orb embellishments along the straps.
Toteme’s heeled flip-flop sandal applies the Scandinavian house’s signature structural restraint to summer footwear — the same quiet, considered design language that’s made its raffia bags a standout this season.
The Christopher Esber Jo Flip Flop distills the Sydney designer’s signature push-pull of masculine ease and feminine sensuality into its purest form: a slide.
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Atlanta’s luxury hotel scene now stretches well beyond its longtime Buckhead icons. The St. Regis and Waldorf Astoria still set the bar for classic five-star service, while Nobu, Forth, Hotel Phoenix, and the new JW Marriott Downtown have brought fresh energy to the city’s hospitality landscape. From resort-style pools and serious spas to destination restaurants […]
Atlanta’s luxury hotel scene now stretches well beyond its longtime Buckhead icons. The St. Regis and Waldorf Astoria still set the bar for classic five-star service, while Nobu, Forth, Hotel Phoenix, and the new JW Marriott Downtown have brought fresh energy to the city’s hospitality landscape. From resort-style pools and serious spas to destination restaurants […]
Ferragamo’s exclusive Hamptons pop-up runs July 22–26 at Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton — featuring the Pre-Fall 2026 collection.
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