Item of the week: the leather sandal

What it is:

One of the most notable footwear trends for the menswear SS24 season was
that of the leather sandal, adorned by models on almost every runway hosted
by a luxury designer. This sleek shoe style could be seen paired with both
sharp tailored suits and more casual looks, making it suitable for a
variety of occasions. The emphasis on such an item this season comes as
luxury brands begin to up their efforts of promoting craftsmanship and
artisanal luxury that have both been a part of many of their values since
their founding. Therefore, it is no surprise that leather sandals have
graced the runway as a mode to bolster this category.

Why you’ll want it:

The leather sandal is a staple item for spring/summer, offering men an
elevated yet breathable footwear option for the warmer months. As
mentioned, the style’s current emphasis largely comes down to the ongoing
favouring of craftsmanship among designer brands, each of which have set
about highlighting their own heritage in this area in line with the
increasing interests of consumers in such topics. Opting for high quality
iterations also enables item longevity, with the shoe being a good
investment that shoppers can wear year after year.

Where we’ve seen it:

Leather sandals could be spotted on an array of different runways, making
them a staple footwear piece for SS24. At Dries Van Noten, the look was
seen in minimalist slip-on iterations with wide foot straps or flip
flop-esque silhouettes. It was Ludovic de Saint Sernin, however, that took
the pared back look even further forward, with simple thin straps crossing
the foot’s bridge. MCM, on the other hand, modernised the shoe with puffed
up strappings complete with metallic embellishment and logo prints.
Meanwhile, brands like Ralph Lauren and Hermès stuck to the classics, with
buckle up fastenings and cross-over detailing.

How to style it:

The leather sandal is sleek enough to be worn with formalwear, yet
comfortable and wearable enough to be worn for a casual day out. Taking
cues from the runways of SS24, the footwear style can be paired with
tailored suiting – long trousers and a loose fit button-up in subtle tones
– making them the perfect shoe for summer occasions. In contrast, the item
can also be worn with casual shorts and a polo, offering an elevated
footwear option that is still suitable for a standard day out.

As a summery day footwear staple, the leather sandal is a recurring piece
in the menswear wardrobe, favoured for its typically artisanal production
and its sleek, comfortable style. For this season, however, it was the
former that took the lead, as consumer demand for traditional manufacturing
has become more apparent in the luxury sector.