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Strappy Sandals Are Always A Good Idea – Here Are 15 Pairs For Every Occasion

You need this naked shoe in your wardrobe, whatever the weather.

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We know what you’re thinking: you can’t remember a time when strappy sandals and barely-there heels weren’t on-trend. They’re of staple status, and work as well for the minimalist quiet luxury fans and they do the Y2K-loving maximalists. Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell lived in them during the Nineties, and SJP wore about 100 pairs as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex And The City.

But, in reality, the strappy sandal in its purest, most naked form – we’re talking barely-there straps and slender soles – lay dormant until The Row debuted its ‘Bare’ design back in 2018. Cue a million fashion week appearances. Not to mention the subsequent high street spin-offs, including #OldTopshop’s £39 ‘Strippy’ design that sold-out several times (and still makes a regular appearance in the ELLE UK office).

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Five years on, this design has shapeshifted plenty. The result? Strappy sandals – which we insist can be worn day or night, whatever the weather – take on many a role in 2025. The most authentic styles are as steeped in Nineties nostalgia as the spaghetti strap on a bias-cut slip dress. They’re curved and classic, super feminine, and ideal for wedding guest looks.

Summer iterations (ideal for boho looks and festival season) lean towards gladiator sandals with multiple straps, woven details, and winding ankle ties. The most contemporary incarnation however is harder; a work of sculptural genius (Neous’ placement of a single strap is pure magic), topped with a razor-sharp square toe and minimal hardware. We’d wear these babies to work, parties and beyond.

One thing we can assure you of, is that this shoe isn’t going anywhere fast – which is why it’s worth the investment. Choose your camp with ELLE UK’s edit of the best strappy sandals to buy now.

Editor's Pick

& Other Stories Embellished Heeled Leather Sandals

Embellished Heeled Leather Sandals

& Other Stories has created the dreamiest summer shoe – ticking key SS25 trends with butter yellow leather and a gold shell charm at each toe. We like how these strappy sandals are set on a mid-height cone heel for stability.

Best black strappy sandals

Whistles Black Tenley Strappy Heeled Sandal

Black Tenley Strappy Heeled Sandal
Now 44% Off

Whistles has created the perfect 1990s strappy sandal (our Commerce editor has worn them for every evening occasion since unboxing hers). Set on a manageable 3.5-inch heel, this black leather pair has winding leather straps and a slingback heel which create plenty of comfort and support when you're out.

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Best cage sandals

Rixo Mavi suede heeled sandals

Mavi suede heeled sandals

Caged toes are a key sandal trend for SS25. Rixo's delightfully retro take, the Mavi, is made from scarlet-red suede and features a buckled slingback strap. You can also buy these in black or gold leather.

Best wedge strappy sandals

Tony Bianco Gretta Wedge Sandal in Tan

Gretta Wedge Sandal in Tan

For those who find their interest piqued by the return of wedges, but don't want to go full Chloé boho just yet, let us introduce you to the strappy wedge sandal instead. This pair is pleasing minimalist, with its slim, tonal heel, toe-post straps and sharp square toe.

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Best for comfort

Emme Parsons Bari Pool leather sandals

Bari Pool leather sandals

You can still understand the strappy assignment while prioritising comfort. Emma Parson's minimalist pool slide has a toe ring, asymmetric foot strap and a comfy, flat foam sole.

Best corsage strappy sandals

Magda Butrym 105 floral-appliqué satin sandals

105 floral-appliqué satin sandals

Trailblazer Magda Butrym has gone hard with her signature floral appliqué of late – so that we don't forget who did it first. These black strappy sandals look so striking with their contrasting white satin corsages at the toe and heel.

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Best white strappy sandals

Russell and Bromley Slinky Hardware

Slinky Hardware

Russell & Bromley has had a bit of a re-vamp and we're especially impressed with its strappy sandal offering. This off-white pair is defined by its molten gold hardware that taps into current jewellery trends.

Best strappy sandal brand

Neous Jumel sandals

Jumel sandals

Neous is the king of barely-there sandals, often fashioning said straps in such a way that each pair is like a work of abstract art. The grosgrain Jumel is no different with its T-bar arrangement that extends over the toes to create a caged effect.

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Best gold strappy sandals

Reformation Ludo Toe Ring Strappy Flat Sandal

Ludo Toe Ring Strappy Flat Sandal

Crafted from gold leather, Reformation's flat sandals have delicate straps designed to look like they're winding around your foot and toe. In gold leather (it's basically a neutral), these are guaranteed to serve you for many seasons to come.

Best flat strappy sandals

Amanu Studio The Cairo embellished suede sandals

The Cairo embellished suede sandals

Amanu Studio's Cairo is a modern, more understated take on the gladiator sandal – although the gilt-set resin stones speak volumes when you pair them with a neutral outfit. These shoes have leather soles, so with the right upkeep they'll last you for years.

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Best embellished strappy sandals

Gianvito Rossi Crystal-embellished metallic leather sandals

Crystal-embellished metallic leather sandals

For when you want high-octane glamour but not a vertiginous heel, these Gianvito Rossi sandals are just the ticket. Made from silver leather, these square-toe flats have crystal-embellished straps that extend to wind around the ankle.

Best brown strappy sandals

Jimmy Choo Leo 65 Chocolate Suede Sandal

Leo 65 Chocolate Suede Sandal

Our love for chocolate brown suede shows no sign of abating – and in strappy sandal form, nothing could feel more 1990s. Just add a slip dress to Jimmy Choo's Leo shoe and you're set.

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Best boho strappy sandals

Zimmermann Gleam leather sandals

Gleam leather sandals

Trust Zimmermann to put a boho spin on the strappy sandal: the slender ties on these brown leather flats are strung with pretty marbled stones.

Best square-toe strappy sandals

Dune London Black Strappy Leather Heeled Sandals

Black Strappy Leather Heeled Sandals

Those who've been passing by Dune while shopping for the best part of a decade are now heading in-store, because recent A-list fans include Bella Hadid, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Katie Holmes. You can't go wrong with these classic black strappy sandals.

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Best gold strappy sandals

Ancient Greek Sandals Chora mid wedge

Chora mid wedge

Ancient Greek Sandals has expanded its offering to include pieces like this cork Chora wedge – it's resortwear, yes, but it'll also see you through many a busy summer in the city, and transition so easily from day to night.

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Abigail Southan
Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor

Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.  

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