Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Rose Porcelaine H202272Z 27340

Porcelain pink is barely pink: a pale, slightly grey rose that looks like the inside of a shell in daylight. On Epsom calfskin, with its fine pressed grain, the colour stays even and quiet across the whole sandal, and the grezzo leather edge and porcelain pink lambskin lining keep the finish soft at the base. It is the pink for people who say they do not wear pink.

Reference H202272Z 27340, made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41. Flat, natural leather sole and a heel of about a centimetre, with the H cut-out cut cleanly across the instep. The firm Epsom grain means the shape holds, and the pale colour does not yellow the way a white leather can after a long summer in sunlight.

I wear these with white, with grey and with pale blue, and they are lovely with a tan, because the cool pink makes warm skin look warmer. Summer weddings, long lunches, holidays where everything is photographed: it is a forgiving, gentle colour that never asks for attention. They photograph best in early evening light, when the grey in the pink comes through.

The caveat is that pale pink shows dirt and dye like any light leather. Denim is the main risk, along with wet grass and the grey ring that lime dust leaves on shoes in a city. Clean with a dry cloth and a little cream, protect them before the season starts, and they will stay evenly coloured rather than patchy.