Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Black Etoupe

A black sandal that is not quite neutral: this one brings etoupe into the mix, so the black sits against a warm grey-beige and softens at the edges. The effect is a black flat with less severity than the pure version, easier to wear with brown, with olive and with the pale linens that sometimes look awkward against true black. It has become the pair I lend to friends who say they cannot wear black sandals.

Made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41, with the H cut-out and straight-cut edges over a natural sole. The leather is Epsom, pressed and firm, so the sandal keeps its geometry: no softening across the top of the foot, no sagging after a long day. The heel is low at roughly a centimetre, and the fit runs true to size in my experience.

I wear these in the transitional weeks either side of high summer, and for evenings when the temperature drops after sunset. They look considered with a black dress, work with denim and a white shirt, and handle a light meal outdoors or an early dinner without needing to be changed first.

What to watch: etoupe-dyed edges can darken where they meet water and street grime, and black leather shows dust as a pale film that is easy to wipe but also easy to notice. A quick pass with a cloth before you leave the house is all it takes. Treat the edge gently and it stays even for seasons.