TKEES: The Cult Leather Sandal Brand Worth Every Penny
There is a particular kind of sandal that works everywhere — poolside in Mykonos, cobblestones in Rome, a rooftop dinner in July. TKEES has spent over a decade perfecting exactly that shoe. Born in Miami with a surfer-meets-sophisticate sensibility, the brand built its following on one simple premise: that a flat leather thong sandal, done properly, is the most versatile piece of footwear a woman can own.
What separates TKEES from the noise is the material integrity. Each sandal is constructed from genuine leather — whether that's high-gloss patent, brushed suede, or hand-braided leather cord — and the footbed is shaped to contour naturally underfoot. These are not sandals that require a break-in period. They're the kind you reach for on day one and every day after.
At Lola Dré, we've curated the best of TKEES under $200, spanning their most beloved silhouettes. Here's where to start.
The Glosses: Patent Leather, Perfected
The Glosses line is where most TKEES devotees begin — and often where they stay. The patent leather upper catches light in the way only high-gloss hide can, giving what is essentially a flat thong sandal a decidedly dressed-up finish. At $65, the leather quality and construction is genuinely remarkable. The Licorice is a deep, lacquered black that works from morning through evening. The White Lotus, a crisp white-toned patent, is the quintessential warm-weather neutral.
The Glitters: For When the Sun Goes Down
The Glitters line takes the same clean thong silhouette and finishes it in a metallic-foiled leather that reads as effortlessly festive without veering into costume territory. The Sandbeam — a warm, champagne-kissed gold — is the kind of sandal that transitions from a beach lunch to a candlelit dinner without missing a beat. Pair with wide-leg linen trousers or a fluid midi dress and let the shoe do the talking.
The Lily Braid: Texture-Led Simplicity
For those who prefer their sandals with a little more tactile interest, the Lily Braid delivers. The upper is crafted from hand-braided suede leather — a detail that gives the thong genuine visual depth without adding bulk or embellishment. It's a particularly good choice for summer dressing, as the braided texture pairs naturally with broderie anglaise, crochet, and other artisan-influenced fabrics. The Sunkissed (a warm tan), Camel (a richer mid-tone), and Bourbon (deep, almost terracotta-adjacent) are the three colourways we'd reach for first.
The Julia: A Kitten Heel Worth Knowing
Not everything in the TKEES under $200 edit is flat. The Julia square-toe kitten heel is proof that the brand's design instincts translate just as well with a subtle lift. The square toe is very much of this moment — directional without being aggressive — and the heel sits at just the right height to be worn all day. In suede, it has a matte, tactile finish that grounds even the most dressed-up look. The Sunkissed and Sable (a deep near-black) are the two standout colourways for building a summer-into-autumn shoe wardrobe.
TKEES has always understood that the best sandal is the one you forget you're wearing — and with over 108 styles available at Lola Dré under $200, there's no reason to settle for anything less than the right one.
