The Sandal Edit: Chunky, Clear & Strappy Styles Worth the Obsession
There's a quiet but definitive shift happening at the base of every great outfit right now. Sandals — once an afterthought — have become the starting point. The question is no longer which shoes go with this look, but rather which look do I build around these shoes. And with the current crop of chunky designer sandals, clear designer sandals, and sculptural strap styles landing on our radar, it's easy to understand why.
Whether you're a devotee of architectural platforms, barely-there PVC straps, or the kind of slip-on ease that Dolce & Gabbana has turned into high art, this season's sandal lineup rewards the decisive dresser.
The Chunky Platform — Where Architecture Meets Wearability
The chunky designer sandal is having a definitive cultural moment — and it's not hard to see why. A substantial sole adds height without the precariousness of a stiletto, making it the shoe of choice for those who want drama with a side of practicality. Loeffler Randall's Loretta in black velvet is the kind of platform that transcends trends: the lush velvet upper sits atop a solid platform base that feels as confident as it looks. Pair it with a fluid designer maxi dress for a contrast of weight and movement, or ground it with sleek designer jeans and a minimalist blouse for after-hours edge.
For those drawn to the wedge silhouette — a closely related cousin to the chunky sandal — Dolce & Gabbana's Floral Logo Embroidered Espadrille Wedge is pure Mediterranean fantasy. The raffia-wrapped wedge, hand-embroidered floral details, and DG monogram read as wearable art. This is the sandal you slip on when heading from a rooftop aperitivo to a candlelit dinner, thrown over your favourite designer mini dress.
The Clear Sandal — Illusion, Refined
If chunky sandals are about presence, clear designer sandals are about mystery. The PVC strap creates the illusion of a barely-there shoe while the structure remains entirely intentional — and the effect is quietly stunning. Cult Gaia's Mahina exemplifies why this aesthetic endures: antique white pearl-tone leather meets clear PVC in a sculptural heel construction that belongs equally in an art gallery and a five-star resort. It's one of those new designer sandal arrivals that feels genuinely fresh.
Explore Women's Designer Swimsuits →
Designer Strap Sandals — The Eternal Favourite, Elevated
Of all the popular designer sandal archetypes, the strappy heel remains the one that never truly leaves. It's the shoe that works hardest — from yacht decks to evening dinners — and Loeffler Randall has mastered the form. The Triana in champagne leather brings subtle ball hardware to a refined mid-heel silhouette, while the Malia ankle-wrap design with its curved heel adds just enough sculptural tension to feel genuinely current.
Triana Champagne Strappy Mid Heel
Loeffler Randall — $245.00
Malia Champagne Curved Leather Sandal
Loeffler Randall — $277.00
Penny Pale Pink Pleated Bow Mule
Loeffler Randall — $395.00
Dress these back with designer shorts and a relaxed designer blouse for a smart daytime look, or let them anchor a long maxi dress for effortless evening dressing. Stack a statement necklace and a couple of fine bracelets for the full picture.
Explore Women's Designer Bikinis →
Designer Slip-On Sandals — The Art of Effortless
The designer slip-on sandal is the wardrobe workhorse that refuses to sacrifice beauty for ease. Dolce & Gabbana's slide collection is a masterclass in this philosophy. The Pink Leather Logo Slide brings rich colour and Italian craftsmanship to a clean silhouette — an instant mood-lifter worn with a beach cover-up or cropped white jeans. For something more artisanal, the Natural Raffia Logo Embellished Slide channels coastal Italian summers with its woven texture and bold DG hardware.
Pink Leather Logo Slide Sandal
Dolce & Gabbana — $695.00
Natural Raffia Logo Embellished Slide
Dolce & Gabbana — $825.00
Karol Floral Embroidered Logo Mule
Dolce & Gabbana — $945.00
Explore Designer Beach Cover Ups →
How to Build a Look Around Your Sandals
At Lola Dré, we believe the best outfits start from the ground up — literally. A chunky platform calls for something fluid and feminine above it, like a mini dress or wide-leg trousers. Clear strap sandals pair beautifully with monochromatic dressing — the transparency keeps the eye moving without interruption. Strappy heels, meanwhile, are the great connector: they bridge swimsuit-to-dinner dressing with the kind of ease that makes warm-weather travel feel genuinely luxurious.
Whatever your sandal of choice this season, the philosophy is the same: invest in the shoe, and let the rest of the wardrobe follow its lead.
