Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Rouge H H202272Z L1340

Red sandals are a commitment, and this one knows it. Rouge H in Epsom calfskin is a saturated, slightly blue-leaning red, less brown than the swift version, brighter in daylight and deeper at night. It is the red I choose for evenings, rather than the browner tone I wear during the day, and the leather edge and lambskin lining are dyed to match, so the colour carries from the top of the foot to the sole without a break.

Reference H202272Z L1340, made in Italy, sizes 36 to 41. Epsom is pressed and firm, so the H cut-out stays crisp and the vamp does not soften into folds; the heel is around a centimetre, the sole natural and flat, and the straight-cut edges give the sandal a neat, almost tailored line. If you are between sizes, remember that firm leathers feel snug for the first few wears before settling.

I wear red when everything else is plain: white linen, cream, denim, a simple black dress. These turn a nothing outfit into something intentional, and because the sandal is flat they work for a long day as well as an evening. They are also, frankly, the most photographed pair I own.

The trade-off is transfer. A strong red dye will mark pale skin and pale interiors in heat until it has settled, so avoid white car seats and give them a dry wipe before storing. Epsom holds colour well and resists fading, but keep them out of direct sun for long periods to protect that depth.