Hermes Oran Sandal Women Swift Calfskin Camel H202230Z D1380

Camel is where beige grows up. Compared with paler neutrals it has more yellow and more depth, so a sandal in this colour looks warm against the skin instead of washing out. This pair is swift calfskin in camel beige, with the sole edge left in dark natural leather and the lambskin insole and lining dyed to match, so the whole shoe is one tone from the top down.

Reference H202230Z D1380, made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41. The heel is low, roughly a centimetre at the back with half that difference at the front, and the sandal is flat enough to wear for hours. Swift is the soft calfskin that needs no break-in, and the H cut-out lies neatly across the foot from the first wear.

How I use camel: with white, with olive, with everything denim, and especially with warm skin tones, where it blends rather than contrasts. It is the sandal I pack for a holiday because it works with whatever I end up putting on, morning or evening, without me having to plan around it.

One trade-off to accept: camel and dark natural edges show water marks and oily spots more obviously than black does, and swift will darken slightly where it creases over the toes. A neutral cream, a soft cloth and dry days keep the colour even. None of that is difficult, but it is not a care-free colour either.