The Flat Sandal Edit: Everything You Love About Tory Burch — And the Alternatives Worth Knowing
There's a reason the Tory Burch flat has become a kind of shorthand for effortless, polished dressing. The Minnie ballet flat, the Chelsea, the jelly, the espadrille — each iteration quietly solves the same problem: how to look considered without trying too hard. If you've been searching for the perfect Tory Burch espadrille sandal or a tan flat that transitions from farmers' market to rooftop dinner, you already understand the appeal of the category. And it's a category worth exploring well beyond a single brand.
At its core, the great flat sandal obsession is about texture, color intelligence, and the kind of understated polish that only comes from truly well-made footwear. Whether you're drawn to Tory Burch nude flats for their versatility, or the navy and tan iterations for their preppy precision, the same principles apply across the board. Here's how to think about building a flat sandal wardrobe — and the pieces worth reaching for this season.
The Nude & Tan Flat: Your Most-Worn Sandal
The appeal of a tan or nude flat is deeply practical — they elongate the leg and disappear into any outfit. TKEES has built an entire loyal following around exactly this concept. Their Foundations range takes the classic thong sandal and refines it to near-perfection: slim, supple leather, minimal hardware, and a color palette calibrated to actually match real skin tones and warm neutrals.
TKEES — $65
TKEES — $95
TKEES — $95
The Lily Braid in Camel and Pout are particularly worth noting for anyone who loves Tory Burch tan flats — the woven leather texture adds an espadrille-adjacent visual interest while keeping the silhouette razor-clean. Wear with wide-leg linen trousers, a slip dress, or classic denim cut-offs.
Explore the full TKEES Flat Sandals collection →
The Case for a Black Flat — Always
Just as the Tory Burch chelsea flat in black has earned its place as a wardrobe staple, a sleek black flat sandal functions as an essential reset piece. TKEES' Glosses in Licorice delivers a high-gloss patent finish that feels modern rather than corporate — the kind of sandal that works equally well with a broderie anglaise midi as it does tailored wide-leg trousers.
When You Want Something More Elevated: Dolce & Gabbana
The flat sandal conversation doesn't stop at the accessible luxury tier. For those occasions when you want a flat that commands a room as much as a heel would, Dolce & Gabbana's flat slide collection is worth serious consideration. Their Ciabatta slides in White are crafted from supple Italian leather with the House's iconic interlocking logo detail — a flat that reads unmistakably luxurious. The Floral Embroidered Logo Slide goes further still, the kind of piece that anchors a resort wardrobe or elevates a simple sundress to editorial territory.
White Ciabatta Flat Leather Slide
Dolce & Gabbana — $645
Floral Embroidered Logo Leather Slide
Dolce & Gabbana — $845
Explore the full Dolce & Gabbana Flat Sandals collection →
A Touch of Metallic Goes a Long Way
One area where flat sandals often outperform their heeled counterparts is in metallic — where the shine reads chic rather than costumey. The TKEES Glitters in Sandbeam is a warm gold-toned leather thong with just enough shimmer to make it special, while Loeffler Randall's Karly Knotted Sandal in Light Gold brings a knotted artisanal detail that makes it feel genuinely special. Either pairs beautifully with white tailoring or a chocolate brown summer dress.
Glitters Sandbeam Metallic Sandal
TKEES — $75
Karly Gold Metallic Knotted Sandal
Loeffler Randall — $250
How to Build a Flat Sandal Wardrobe
The editors at Lola Dré recommend thinking in three tiers: a nude or tan everyday flat (your TKEES workhorse), a black or dark flat for evening flexibility, and one statement piece — whether that's a metallic, a floral embroidered slide, or a braided leather style. Together, these three cover every occasion from beach-side lunch to a gallery opening to a weekend away.
The Tory Burch espadrille sandal and ballet slipper aesthetic taught us that flats don't have to be an afterthought — they can be the most intentional choice in a wardrobe. The brands and styles above carry that same philosophy forward, each in their own way.
Explore Women's Designer Sandals →
