Hermes Oran Sandal Women Swift Calfskin Blanc H021056Z 02340

There is white and then there is the white of a well-finished calfskin sandal: bright but not fluorescent, with enough surface to catch light without looking like plastic. This pair sits in that category. The lining is white too, so nothing dark shows through the H cut-out when the sun hits it, a small detail that separates a considered sandal from a cheap one.

Underfoot there is a natural leather sole, and the sandal is made in Italy in sizes 36 to 41. The profile is flat, the heel barely lifts you, and the H cut-out sits across the top of the foot with a clean, unbroken border. Product reference H021056Z 02340; as with this family of sandals, the sole can differ slightly between production batches.

I wear white sandals more than any other colour in July and August, because they make bare legs look longer and they go with everything from denim to a cotton dress. This pair is my choice for lunches, garden visits and travel days when I need one shoe to cover several plans. Set against a summer tan, the effect is a clean, almost graphic line at the ankle.

The trade-off is unavoidable: white marks, and it shows. Dye from dark denim is the main risk, along with scuffs on the toe edge from pavements. Wipe them down after each wear with a dry cloth, keep them out of prolonged sun, and they will stay bright for several seasons rather than one.