Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Blanc

Pure white in a firm leather is a different animal from white in a soft one. Epsom’s pressed grain gives this sandal a clean, almost papery surface, so the white stays even across the H cut-out and the outline stays exactly where it started, wear after wear. In high summer, when light is hard and colours look hot, it is the pair that keeps an outfit cool.

The sandal is made in Italy and comes in sizes 36 to 41. Flat natural sole, straight-cut edges, and a heel of about a centimetre, the standard flat geometry of this sandal, executed in a leather that resists scratching and does not stretch. Expect a slightly rigid feel for the first couple of wears; Epsom relaxes at the flex point and then holds its shape for years.

I wear mine with everything from a white shirt and jeans to a long printed dress, and they are the sandals I choose when I will be photographed outdoors. The colour lengthens the leg and lifts a tan, and the firm leather means they still look sharp at the end of a long day.

Care is straightforward but non-negotiable: white Epsom marks, and the marks sit on the surface where you can see them. Denim dye, wet grass and sunscreen are the usual suspects. Clean with a dry cloth after each wear, treat them to a protective spray before the season, and store them in their bag rather than on a shelf in the light.