Hermes Oran Sandal Women Epsom Calfskin Trench Etoupe

Trench is the colour of a raincoat that has faded in a good way: a soft khaki-beige, greener than camel and warmer than grey. On Epsom calfskin it looks almost matte, and the firm grain gives the sandal a utilitarian neatness that I like far more than I expected to. It is the quietest colour in my summer drawer and, in practice, one of the easiest to wear.

Sizes 36 to 41, made in Italy. The construction is the usual Oran recipe: H cut-out across the instep, straight-cut edges, natural sole, and a low heel of roughly a centimetre that keeps the profile flat. Epsom holds its shape, so the sandal looks the same on the tenth wear as on the first, which is useful if you dislike how soft leathers relax over time.

Styling is where trench earns its place. Olive, stone, cream, black, denim, everything works, and the green cast makes it look especially good next to khaki or linen in natural tones. I wear these for garden lunches, city afternoons and travel days that end in a restaurant where I want to look like I made an effort.

Two honest considerations. Khaki-toned leathers can develop a slightly uneven patina where the sun hits them, so rotate your sandals and keep them out of direct sunlight between wears. And the pressed Epsom surface, while hard-wearing, can show a pale line if you scrape it on a kerb; a dab of cream and a cloth usually remove it.