Indeed, affordable summer shoes that come in under £100 have been a talking point on the Vogue Shopping desk for some time now. First, there was the Xero Genesis rope sandal, which Naomi Smart found in a Japanese hiking shop (not dissimilar to Go Outdoors), for around £50 last summer. The Genesis sparked our interest in the “gorpy” shoe trend – a category that has since trickled down to the high street, landing at M&S in the form of an excellent £30 red rope sandal that I raved about back in May.
Meanwhile, Vogue Shopping producer Mia Portet is a fan of Ancient Greek Sandals’ clear jelly flip-flops, priced at £95. “You’d be hard-pressed to find a day where I’m not flip-flopping around in my Ancient Greek Sandals. Whether it’s for a morning coffee run (I’ll style with track shorts and a well-worn tee), my office wardrobe rotation, beach-filled holidays (if I’ve got carry-on only luggage, these are my go-to) or a balmy summer evening, this pair seems to pair perfectly with any outfit” says Portet. The flip-flop comes in 10 colourways, including several two-tone styles that are perfect for adding a subtle pop of colour to your summer looks.
Not so long ago, the high street’s interpretation of trending shoe styles often felt like a compromise when compared with mid-range and luxury brands. Today, however, affordable retailers have dramatically upped their game, producing not only trend-led designs but genuinely well-made shoes that actually last beyond one summer.
When shopping for your next pair, prioritise leather over synthetic materials where possible, as it tends to mould to the foot and last longer. Pay close attention to stitching, sole construction and hardware details too: these are often the clearest indicators of whether a pair of shoes is made with care, or not.
