Recently, I've found myself in a bit of a styling dilemma, as I've strived to style up elegant outfits, only to be let down on the footwear front. While it's far too hot to wear anything other than sandals (at least it is for me!), often they can feel a bit casual. But this season, amid the wave of flip-flops and jelly fishermans having a moment, I've spotted a new sandal trend that marries the breezy appeal of a summer shoe with the polish I’ve been craving. Glossy, sculptural and ever-so-slightly statement, metal-embellished sandals are the chicest shoes on my radar right now.
Like wearing jewellery on your feet, these sandals feature metallic accents—from sleek toe loops to gleaming sphere hardware and sculpted stones—bringing a luxury quality that simpler styles simply can’t compete with.
While styles that loop metallic forms around the toe have emerged as front-runners, the trend is blossoming more broadly. Embellished sandals in general—particularly those with gold as the metal colour of choice, look inherently more expensive than their plainer counterparts, which is why I think they're proving so popular; because everyone wants to look high end, right?
With the ability to dress up everything from linen trousers to jeans to midi skirts and simple dresses, I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of mine over the next few months.
A welcome palette cleanser after a flip-flop-dominated season, brands from H&M to Zara and Mango are leaning into the trend in a big way, meaning that you can get in on the action affordably too. Of course, if you have a more generous budget, there are striking designer iterations to choose from also.
Scroll on to shop my edit of the best metal-embellished sandals of the season.
Shop Metal-Embellished Sandals:
I really can't see these staying in stock for long.
These barely-there sandals are perfect for high-summer styling.
Honestly, these look so much more expansive than they actually are.
Style these with straight-leg jeans or pair with a floaty dress.
Our deputy editor wore these recently and received so many compliments on them.
These also come in a pretty sage green shade.
These will look so chic paired with cropped linen trousers.
Elevate your style in the easiest way.
The combination of tan suede and gold metal looks so luxe.
The striking metal detailing adds such a sleek point of interest.
The square toe ticked off another key summer 2025 sandal trend.
These slip-ons will work with any minimalist capsule wardrobe.
The t-bar sandals trend isn't showing any signs of slowing down.
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