These Designer-Looking Sandals Are Quietly Taking Over My Summer Wardrobe

Summer style tends to hinge on a few well-chosen essentials - and sandals are a key factor. They are the foundation of warm-weather dressing, setting the tone for everything else you wear.

Designers have shifted away from barely-there straps and delicate heels. In their place? Bold shapes, solid soles, and styles that bring a little more colour to your ensemble. We’re seeing mules with sculpted heels, fisherman sandals reworked in suede, and platforms that feel surprisingly wearable. Clogs are still part of the conversation for another season, but with a more sophisticated twist.

While the designer versions of said designs come with eye-watering price tags, the high street has seriously stepped up. The smartest dressers know where to look for pieces that feel expensive without being so. Case in point: Jones Bootmaker. Long known for its craftsmanship-first approach, the brand has quietly put together one of the strongest sandal collections on the high street. And, to make things even better, Jones Bootmaker is granting Grazia readers an exclusive 10% discount, using the code GRAZIA10 for one month only, for 10% discount of full price products. With free delivery over £125 - shop below.

The modern mule

A well-made mule is one of the most useful sandals you can own. Jones Bootmaker’s Imalda and Genesis styles feel polished and grown-up, with squared-off toes and low, sculpted heels. They’re the kind of shoe that makes even jeans and a white shirt look considered.

The platform sandal

Platforms are back - but with a more refined feel. The Imilia sandals add height without sacrificing comfort, and work just as well with a midi dress as they do with trousers. They're bold, but not too much.

The clog

Clogs make their return for another year, and this season, they’re updated with sleeker lines and modern materials, making them a surprisingly chic option for summer. Think of them as the perfect balance between comfort and style, and the Hestina leather mules encapsulate this perfectly. Whether you’re pairing them with cropped jeans or a boho dress, clogs have never looked so good.

The new fisherman

This once-practical style is now firmly in the fashion camp. The Inga sandal, with its simple leather straps and tan finish, is a softer, more wearable take. It works beautifully with wide-leg linen or a relaxed summer dress.

Marina Avraam is the Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Grazia. Hobbies include (but not limited to) finding the best designer dupes, buying every iteration of the adidas gazelles and listening to celeb podcasts every hour of every day.