A great pair of sandals is the most versatile thing in a summer wardrobe — but only if you know how to style them. This summer, the editors are leaning into the “dress-and-sandal” formula: one easy dress, one good sandal, done. Below are twelve outfit formulas, sorted by occasion, that take the thinking out of getting dressed when it's warm.
Easy everyday
1. Midi dress + flat sandal. The undisputed champion of summer dressing. A floaty midi from our dresses collection with a tan flat sandal needs zero effort and always looks pulled together.
2. Cropped jeans + slide + linen shirt. Roll the hem, slip on a cushioned slide like the Verona, and you've got the weekend sorted.
3. Wide-leg trousers + simple sandal. Wide-leg trousers skim the floor and let a neat sandal peek out. Add a tucked-in top for an instantly elongated line.
Smart-casual and work
4. Tailored trousers + closed-toe sandal. A closed-toe sandal bridges the gap between “office appropriate” and “it's 28 degrees”. Keep the trousers cropped and the colour neutral.
5. Shirt dress + low wedge. A shirt dress with a low wedge reads as smart without tipping into formal. The wedge adds just enough polish for client lunches.
6. Blouse + culottes + slide. A pretty blouse tucked into culottes, finished with a clean slide. Effortless desk-to-drinks.
Occasion and events
7. Maxi dress + metallic sandal. For garden parties and summer events, a flowing maxi with a metallic strappy sandal does all the work.
8. Jumpsuit + heeled sandal. A wide-leg jumpsuit with a small heel is the no-fuss alternative to a dress for a barbecue or birthday.
9. Floral midi + wedge + structured bag. Add a structured bag to a floral midi and wedge and you've got a wedding-adjacent outfit that'll work for a dozen summer occasions. (For the real thing, see our wedding guest guide.)
Holiday and downtime
10. Slip dress + flat sandal + sunglasses. The holiday uniform. Throw a slip dress over swimwear, add a flat sandal, and walk straight from beach to lunch.
11. Shorts + oversized shirt + cushioned slide. Cool, breezy and comfy for sightseeing. Reach for a supportive slide if you're clocking up steps — see our walking sandals guide.
12. Co-ord set + minimalist sandal. A matching set with a barely-there sandal looks expensive for very little effort.
Three colour rules that never fail
- Tan goes with everything. If in doubt, a tan sandal is the safest, most flattering choice.
- Black sharpens. A black sandal makes brights and prints look more deliberate.
- Metallics are neutrals in summer. Gold and silver pair with far more than you'd think, especially in the evening.
Find the sandal to anchor any of these looks in the shoes collection, and the dresses to go with them in the dresses collection.