Hermes Chypre Sandal Men Techno-sandal Calfskin Marron Ebene H222858ZHME390

Brown is the sandal colour that photographs badly and wears beautifully, and Marron Ebene is the proof. Starting as a deep near-black brown, it takes on warmth after a few weeks in the sun, and by the end of a season you have a pair that looks like it has a history. The insole and lining are ebony brown calfskin and lambskin, so the interior matches the outside instead of fighting it.

The construction is the standard Chypre arrangement: an anatomical rubber sole that rises through the arch for support, an adjustable strap over the instep with a buckle, and a flat, grippy black rubber base. The size range covers 40 to 46, Italian-made.

I keep these in the rotation from late spring onwards, mostly for evening wear with a linen shirt and dark trousers, where a lighter tan would look too bright and black too formal. The wide vamp means the sandal covers more of the foot than a two-strap slide, which I prefer in the city.

The point worth knowing: brown leather shows faint water rings more than you would expect, and the dark finish can transfer a little onto pale socks or the inside of a light canvas bag in the first weeks. Let them air rather than wiping them wet, and the colour settles quickly. After that it is the least fussy sandal I own. Mine have been rained on twice and dried without lasting marks, and the insole has darkened evenly where my arch presses, which is exactly the patina I wanted.