Hermes Oran Sandal Women Shearling Green

Shearling turns the Oran into something closer to a slipper than a sandal, and green is the colour that makes it charming rather than cosy. The nap is short and even, and the H cut-out on the vamp is the same line you know, softened by the material. It is closer to sage than to emerald, which is why it reads calm rather than festive. It is the sandal I would buy in two colours if the budget allowed.

With a centimetre of heel and half a centimetre of drop to the front, it stands almost level with the ground. The fit covers 36 to 41, and the pair is made in Italy. The shearling surrounds the foot, so there is no need for socks and no pressure points.

I wear mine indoors through the shoulder months and outdoors on dry autumn days with wool trousers — a sandal with fleece needs a little nerve, but it works. They are the pair I reach for when the weather cannot decide what it is doing. On stone floors at home they are warmer than a slipper, and outdoors in autumn they feel lighter than a boot.

An honest note: shearling is not a wet-weather material, and the nap flattens where the foot rests. Brushing the surface back up with a soft brush after wear keeps it looking fuller for longer. Expect these to be a treat for cooler months rather than a year-round shoe. To refresh the nap, brush in one direction, not back and forth. A wool bag helps them keep shape between seasons.