Hermes Chypre Sandal Men Techno-sandal Matte Mississippiensis Alligator Blue Pale

Pale blue alligator is the kind of pair that arrives looking like a summer postcard and settles into a wardrobe staple by August. The tiles turn a soft, dusty blue under matte finishing, and the colour shifts between cool grey-blue in shade and something warmer in direct sun, which keeps a plain outfit interesting without adding jewellery.

Underneath it is pure Chypre: an anatomical rubber sole that follows the arch, a black calfskin insole over a black rubber base, one adjustable strap crossing the instep, and a vamp wide enough for comfortable coverage. Made in Italy in sizes 40 to 46.

I wear these on holidays where everything else I have packed is beige, white or unbleached cotton. Put them with pale linen trousers and they look considered; with swim shorts and a tee they look like exactly what they are, which is a very good sandal on a hot day.

Two honest points about alligator. First, it does not like pool water or sea spray, and salt left to dry on the scales will dull them, so rinse with fresh water and dry away from heat. Second, matte hides glare but shows dryness, so condition lightly before the season and after any soaking. Avoid natural oil products on pale scales; a dedicated conditioner keeps the blue clean. Mine have taken two beach holidays without any loss of colour, and the pale blue has stayed even where the sun hits the vamp, which is more than I expected from a pastel.