Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Craie Etoupe

Craie is chalk, and the name fits: an off-white that is softer and easier to wear than pure white, with a faint warm cast that stops it looking cold next to skin. This version pairs it with etoupe somewhere in the edging, so the sandal has two pale neutrals instead of one flat block of colour. Epsom keeps the surface firm and even, so the tone stays consistent across the sandal.

Made in Italy in sizes 36 to 41, with the H cut-out across the instep and straight-cut edges. The sole is flat and natural; the heel lifts the back of the foot about a centimetre, which is enough to keep a long hemline from dragging. Epsom is pressed leather, so expect a firm feel for the first two wears before it eases across the foot.

I wear craie with everything I would wear white with, but the effect is gentler, better with ivory, oatmeal and pale grey, and less stark against a strong tan. It is my first choice for a daytime wedding or a lunch where white sandals would feel too sharp. On a grey day it reads almost white; in warm light the chalk tone comes forward.

Care is the same as for any pale leather, and it is worth the effort: craie will pick up denim dye and pavement dust, and the firm Epsom grain means marks sit on the surface rather than sinking in, which is a blessing. Wipe, buff with a soft cloth, and keep them out of the sun.