Hermes Oran Sandal Women Goatskin Gris Argenté H261297Z 52350

Metallic footwear can look cheap very quickly. What saves this pair is that the silver is a finish on real goatskin rather than a plastic film, so it has grain under it and moves with the foot instead of reflecting like foil. Gris argente sits between silver and stone, and from a distance it reads as a warm grey sandal that happens to catch the light.

Reference H261297Z 52350, made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41. The sole, the edge and the lining are black, leather underneath and lambskin against the foot, so the metallic upper floats on a dark base. Heel height is around a centimetre, and the platform is flat enough for a long day. The H cut-out is cut through the middle of the finish, which shows the grain off nicely.

These are my evening sandals for nights when I do not want to change out of a flat. They look right with black, with white, and with the grey and beige tones I wear most in summer, and they turn a plain outfit into something with a bit of light in it. Weddings on stone terraces, gallery openings, late dinners: all comfortable.

Care is the one thing to get right. Metallic finishes dislike abrasion and solvents; heavy creams and rough cloths will dull the surface. Wipe with a soft dry cloth only, store them in their bag, and expect some softening of the shine where the toes flex. If you want a finish that stays mirror-smooth forever, choose smooth calfskin instead.