Elevated by Design: The High Sandals Worth Building an Outfit Around
There is a particular alchemy to a great high sandal. It doesn't just add height — it shifts posture, reframes a silhouette, and turns even the simplest outfit into something considered. Whether sculpted from crystal-encrusted leather or rendered in sleek velvet, the right pair of high sandals is as much a design object as it is footwear.
This season, the conversation around elevated sandals is richer than ever — and at Lola Dré, our edit reflects the full spectrum of what "high" can mean: architectural heel curves, platform drama, crystal wrap straps, and the kind of refined simplicity that speaks for itself.
The Art of the Crystal Wrap: Rene Caovilla
When it comes to Rene Caovilla high heels sandals, the Venetian house needs little introduction. Founded in 1928, the maison has long been devoted to the idea that a shoe is the final act of dressing — and that act deserves to be extraordinary. Their Cleo silhouette is perhaps the most recognisable expression of this philosophy: a spiralling crystal strap that coils from the toe up the ankle, catching light with every step.
Cleo Black Crystal Ankle Wrap Sandal
RENE CAOVILLA — $1,820
Cleo Champagne Crystal Ankle Wrap Sandal
RENE CAOVILLA — $1,820
Lynette Pink Crystal Bow Slingback Sandal
RENE CAOVILLA — $1,480
The Cleo in black jet is the obvious evening choice — devastating with a column dress or wide-leg tailoring. But the champagne colourway opens a different conversation entirely, functioning almost as a white high heeled sandal in its luminosity against bare skin. The Lynette slingback, with its signature crystal bow at the toe, brings a more playful femininity — ideal paired with a sleek high neck mini dress for cocktail occasions that demand presence.
Insider note: Rene Caovilla crystals are hand-set — the Cleo wrap strap alone contains over 200 individual stones.
When Embellishment Becomes a Statement: Dolce & Gabbana
Few houses understand the theatre of a high sandal quite like Dolce & Gabbana. The Devotion sandal — named after one of the house's most iconic bag lines — translates the signature heart motif into a heel-and-toe embellishment that is unapologetically joyful.
In black leather, this sandal earns its keep far beyond the occasion wardrobe. Style it with cropped tailoring and a high neck midi dress to let the heel do the talking, or lean into the house's maximalist DNA with print-on-print dressing. This is a sandal with personality — and it wears that confidently.
Explore the full Women's Designer Sandals collection →
Considered Craftsmanship: Loeffler Randall
For those whose approach to high sandals is rooted in wearability without compromise, Loeffler Randall delivers something that other houses rarely manage: genuine elegance at a more accessible price point. Founded by Jessie Randall in New York, the brand has built a loyal following among women who understand that great shoes don't need to shout to be noticed.
Malia Champagne Curved Leather Sandal
Loeffler Randall — $277
Loretta Black Velvet Platform Sandal
Loeffler Randall — $180
The Malia's curved heel and clean champagne leather strap is the kind of shoe that works as hard as you do — from a long lunch to an evening event without skipping a beat. The Loretta platform, meanwhile, brings a touch of 70s-inflected drama in rich black velvet: sculptural, comfortable due to its platform base, and surprisingly versatile with everything from a high neck maxi dress to wide-leg denim.
Discover all Loeffler Randall Heeled Sandals →
How to Style High Sandals: A Few Guiding Notes
The biggest mistake with a beautiful high sandal is over-styling everything else. Let the shoe set the tone and build upward from there — a simpler silhouette above the ankle, whether a high neck mini or a fluid midi, will always allow the footwear its rightful moment. Neutral-toned and champagne-hued high sandals especially benefit from contrast — a bold colour or graphic print above draws the eye on a deliberate journey from face to floor.
For evening dressing, crystal-adorned options like those from Rene Caovilla are designed to be seen in low light — the sparkle is intentional and architectural. For day-into-evening transitions, a sculptural leather heel (the Malia is particularly reliable here) bridges the gap without the formality of full embellishment.
Browse Designer Sandals on Sale →
At Lola Dré, the belief is simple: a great pair of high sandals isn't an indulgence — it's an investment in the way you inhabit your own clothes. Start from the ground up, and the rest tends to follow.
