Once spring is out, sandals are in, and year after year, the streets around the world are massively captivated by people wearing one particular brand — Birkenstock.
The combination of comfort, timeless design, and sustainability deservingly assured the label’s success and dominated the sandals market, but let’s be honest, it affected the diversity. So, maybe it’s time to give your favourite pair of Birkenstocks a break? Check out our guide and expand your footwear horizons with the brands elevating the fashion game while still manufacturing comfortable shoes.
Hereu
Crafting shoes, bags, and small leather goods in Spain through a network of family-run businesses, Hereu focuses on producing items that redefine heritage in a contemporary way while also making the brand’s designs practical — for example, by using lightweight foam soles and soft supple lambskin.
A.EMERY
Australian A.EMERY started as a leather sandal brand in 2017 and later expanded its collection with other footwear categories and ready-to-wear pieces. Still, the original product — minimalistic sandals that allow feet to sit atop moulded or padded footbeds for additional comfort — remains A. EMERY’s staple.
TOTEME
TOTEME stands for functional and trans-seasonal styles that make a social and environmental impact, so the items by the Swedish brand are designed and produced with responsible materials to last long and encourage the wearer to choose high-quality clothing and accessories, but in smaller quantities.
The current collection features a sandals line with anatomically fit wide, breathy soles made of cotton and linen blend with leather details on the straps.
Marni
In a conversation about casual sandals, the signature Marni Fussbett can’t be left behind. Nothing but iconic, a chunky silhouette with crisscross straps and moulded massive insole is being reimagined every season with different colours, materials, and decorative elements. Go for the classical line if seeking an everlasting essential or for bright — even a furry one — to have fun.
Ancient Greek Sandals
According to Greek mythology, once upon a time, there was a talented artisan who crafted flying sandals for Hermes and embellished them with a golden wing buckle.
This story inspired Christina Martini and Nikolas Minoglou to launch Ancient Greek Sandals — a brand locally producing handmade sandals with the use of centuries-old techniques, natural-tanned leather, and a finishing touch adorning most models — a wing-shaped buckle, of course. So, history lovers — dare to try!
Isabel Marant
For almost 30 years, French designer Isabel Marant has aimed to constantly refresh the approach to urban wear with vibrant designs while, at the same time, dressing women for real life. Not a single piece leaves the workshop of her eponymous brand without a test drive, so be assured: the shoes won’t disappoint you, either.
ATP Atelier
Stockholm-based ATP Atelier is built on the idea of making smart luxury products by marrying Scandinavian design with Italian craftsmanship. Sandals have always been an important part of the brand’s collections, and even though a sophisticated flat-soled Rosa silhouette is considered to be its signature design, ATP is doing great with comfy sculpted models as well.
NEOUS
NEOUS has a very complex background: based in London, it celebrates the Egyptian heritage and Australian upbringing of its founder, Vanissa Antonious, while being hand-crafted in Italy by independent artisans. The brand’s designs blend minimalistic fluid lines with functionality while keeping them feminine and responsive to the life flow.
Alohas
Alohas originally started in Hawaii as a twist on espadrilles, but since then grew to a way wider line of shoes and ready-to-wear designed in Barcelona and produced between Spain and Portugal. The brand follows the on-demand principle to only produce the models that customers claim through a pre-order system.
St.Agni
An independent Australian design studio focuses on timeless, environmentally-friendly pieces that will last. Here, the contemporary wardrobe is explored through considered design conceived from the idea of functional, refined pieces that provide comfort for day-long wear.
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