Accessory Alert: Sandals

From wedges to espadrilles to gladiators and strappy sandals - whatever your warm-weather summer sandal style, we’ve got you covered with this bumper accessory alert sandals edition.

Wedges

If you like a bit of height with your summer sandal, then opt for a wedge -the most stable of all high heels. Irish women love them and buy them religiously each year. They are a personal favourite for shorties needing some height and a

Espadrilles

From Grace Kelly on the set of the 1955 movie To Catch A Thief to Kate Middleton’s L.K. Bennett shoes on the morning after her wedding, raffia soled shoes have been in vogue for decades. Spanish label Paloma Barceló is our favourite of the braided sole sandal bunch.

For a more casual look, we love the braided sole shoe made by Castaner for Menorcan fishermen since 1927 –in fact it’s now the cult canvas shoe with a raffia sole worn by male trendsetters worldwide. Adidas have even developed their own take on it – check out Adidrills (€40-€45) – exclusive to Champion Sports in Ireland.

Gladiators

The go-to sandal for Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Gwyneth Paltrow, the gladiator is a flat sandal with a definite boho look to it. These days, gladiator styles come in leather, metallic, embellished, animal print and can be worn with anything from jeans to shorts to maxi dresses. Penney’s have a great range of gladiators although you’ll find them in most stores with a style to suit all tastes.

Strappy Sandals

Often the occasion calls for a dressier shoe, and this summer there’s no shortage of dressy sandals in the shops. The Minimalist strap seen at Celine has trickled into the high street and Zara has stepped up with a most amazing array of strappy, minimalist sandals in block and multicolour.

Aldo is another shop to note - their Aldo Rise collection is collaboration with the cream of British shoe Designers (Preen, Mark Fast, and Libertine) is to die for. We simply love JW Anderson shoes – he is “the boy wonder of London whose line refines preppy awkwardness for both men and women”.