Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Blue Chacier

Epsom is the leather I recommend to anyone who dislikes creases. It is pressed and heat-embossed, so the surface is fine-grained and firm, and it holds its shape almost stubbornly: no softening across the vamp, no sagging H, no floppy outline after a summer of wear. Blue chacier gives that structure a cool, slightly grey-toned blue that never looks candy-bright.

Made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41, with the H cut-out and straight-cut edges that keep the profile crisp. The heel is around a centimetre and the sole flat and natural, which makes these comfortable for long days despite the firm leather. If you are used to softer uppers, give Epsom two or three wears; it eases where the foot flexes and then stays put.

I wear mine mostly with white and stone, where the blue does the quiet work, and with denim when I want something less obvious than a white sandal. They also keep their shape in a suitcase, which is why they are often the pair I pack for a trip that involves a dinner I did not plan for.

The trade-off with Epsom is that the firm grain is less tolerant of scuffing than softer leathers: a scrape against a kerb shows as a pale line until it is buffed. A neutral cream and a soft cloth handle most of it, and because the leather is so dense, it responds well and rarely stains deeply.