In case you missed the Hermès-ifaction of London last week, the Parisian maison marked the opening of its mega Mayfair boutique (complete with a Foster + Partners-designed central spiral staircase), by taking over the Hurlingham Club in Fulham to stage an eclectic garden party – complete with maypole dancing, a performance from the London Vegetable Orchestra and dancing topiary. I missed the event due to being on assignment in Saint-Tropez (poor me!), but I didn’t actually experience any fashion FOMO, because the chicest seaside town on the Côte d’Azur felt like its own kind of Hermès high summer spectacle.
Beyond the countless Val Cleef & Arpels Alhambra bracelets dangling from wrists, and enough Dior Book Totes to bagsy every sun lounger at Bagatelle, it seemed the only footwear of choice for flip-flopping over the cobbled streets around La Ponche was the classic Hermès Oran sandal. While it’s not entirely surprising that a signature style from one of the most luxurious brands in the world is leading the charge in one of the most chichi resort towns on the Med, it is noteworthy, in a seaside spot brimming with designer boutiques, where shopping is as key to the timetable as chartering a superyacht, that one specific sandal should emerge to reign supreme.
The Hermès Oran sandal was first launched in 1997, and features a chic “H” motif cut-out to the upper. The slip-on style is available in a seemingly infinite range of colourways and textures, from turquoise calfskin to denim. It’s a silhouette beloved by a range of A-listers, from Meghan Markle to Elsa Hosk, but when it comes to heatwave dressing, the only celeb to set your sights on in summer 2026 is Victoria Beckham. When holidaying in Ibiza in May, VB – rarely separated from her heels – was spotted lunching at Jondal sporting a floral flowing dress and Oran sandals in a caramel colourway.
One of many wardrobe conundrums thrown up by a heatwave in the UK, is what exactly to wear on our feet. Can we really countenance slip-ons on the Tube in 35C? Surely it’s too risky to leave toes unprotected while navigating the dirt, grime and discarded crumbs from M&S Meal Deals? Although, one thing that surprised me about all those Oran sandals I saw in the South of France is how few pairs looked box fresh and perfect. These were loveworn slip-ons, weathered by sea, sand, and other signs of summers well spent. So perhaps we needn’t be too precious about wearing a luxe pair of leather flats – even if we’re walking across a Tube platform, rather than the deck of a yacht.
