The messaging surrounding what to wear at this time of year might speak primarily to European getaways, beach days and wedding ceremonies, but the reality most of us live out is more complex. Sure, there's your five days in Sicily booked, but there's also six deadlines and that yearly review that crops up mid August. We can't abandon all commitments just because it's the last month of the summer. Sob.
The toing and froing that comes with the eighth month of the year manifests most in our footwear, especially if the weather on home soil is more than fine. Investments in new shoes need to work as hard as our passports (or office passes) as we switch between on and off modes. Shoes need to be able to walk into a beach bar and thrive as much as they need to be able to take us comfortably through the now extra-sticky commute and into whatever that day's schedule has in store.
So, with this in mind I got to searching for a summer sandal that could do it all. As an ELLE editor, my starting place for most trends and must-haves is the catwalk. But, not this time. I searched through my usual go-to sites for such things and spent a couple of lunchtimes strolling the stores close by to our central London office. Nothing jumped out, ticking a few of my criteria rather than all of them. Then, when researching another feature I spotted Miu Miu's leather clogs on its SS25 catwalk.
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This wasn't the first time I'd seen the slip-on sandals, but it was the first time I'd considered them the solution to my midsummer footwear find. The shoe, available in a selection of shades of patent or suede leathers, is a simple clog-like style that feels at once a classic and a fresh option that moves away from the dad sandals that have dominated the summer footwear market for — forgive me — far too long.
On the runway, it was worn with white cotton skirts, classic beige raincoats (Brit-summer approved), and in the case of Cara Delevingne's runway look: a black patent skirt suit. Together, these ensembles were enough proof that it would work with so much of what I plan on wearing for the rest of the summer. And despite it being a 'trendy' catwalk shoe, the nostalgic design felt enduring, which makes up for its three-figure price tag in that I can be sure I'd return to it summer after summer. I'm very into my cost-per-wear these days.
Choosing which colourway to go for came next. Black patent felt like the most sensible option, while brown suede offered an extra note on texture for summer layering. In the end, it was the red patent that felt like the best for me and my wardrobe. I often find myself turning to hints of scarlet in summer — gingham, floral silk scarves, a does-it-all scrunchie — and so this pair would round out that equation. I chose my usual size and found them easy to break in and get to wearing here, there and everywhere fast.
Of course, this being Miu Miu and so the idea of a simple shoe worn simply feels at odds with its bookish-meets-sexy-meets-sporty ideology. Enter the accompanying demi socks.
Yep, demi socks. The wearing of the instep coverings feels as crucial to the sandal as the sandal themselves. Doing little more than hiding your instep (or up to the knee if you wish), the accompanying socks, which come in a three pack, add a directional element that feels at once completely unnecessary and entirely essential to fulfilling Mrs Prada's original style directive. Choose colours that feel purposefully obtuse. Lime green worn with red feels particularly potent, but I might have to go back for the rosy pink ones.
What is left to be said about this clog-style shoe is that like anything with a strong wooden sole, there is a little noise about them. They're not so much clip-clop, but a gentle tap is there with every step. Does it bother me? Not at all. I'm happy to make a little commotion for and with these wear-everywhere summer sandals.
Miu Miu Patent Leather Clogs
Miu Miu Patent Leather Clogs
Miu Miu Patent Leather Clogs
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