5 Anti-Trend Sandals That Were Made for Classy Minimalists

There's a few signs that denote the arrival of the warm-weather season. Basket bags appear on the arms of fashion people, wafting dresses return to the everyday, and chunky boots are forgone for simple, pared-back sandals. As a staple of the spring and summer months, and occasionally autumn too if the weather holds, sandals are a key part of our wardrobes that often get overlooked until the time calls to slip into them once more. With the countdown to blazing sunny days ahead, now is as good a time as any to find your forever pair.

Woman sitting in chair wears striped waistcoat, trousers and strappy sandals

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

With pedicures at the ready, its almost time to get our toes out in celebration of the warmer days. For many us who have minimalism front and centre of our personal aesthetics, that means searching for an understated sandal that can blend with the rest of our wardrobes, from dresses to tailoring and even denim too. Lucky for us, the recent turn in fashion to classic refinement means there's plenty of styles to choose from the high street to high end. There's classic lace-up styles, simple mule slides, and plenty more understated sandal styles to satiate even the trickiest minimalist. To make it even easier, I've broken them down into 5 clear trends to make finding the one even easier.

Keep scrolling to explore 5 minimalist sandal styles worth noting for 2024.

The Best Minimalist Sandals on the Market Right Now

1. Slider Sandals

Woman on street wears blue dress and black sandals

(Image credit: @coco_floflo)

Style Notes: Warm days are all about relaxing, and one shoe that offers up ease and style in equal measure is the reliable slider sandal. As such a classic shape, even embellishment feels pared-back on these pairs.

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2. Fisherman Sandals

Woman in doorway wears tank top, denim shorts and fisherman sandals

(Image credit: @francescasaffari)

Style Notes: Take a look around the style set, and more often than not you'll spot fisherman styles completing their outfits. From plain-coloured to contrast, two-tone styles, there's an understatement that shines through.

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3. Flip-Flop Sandals

Woman on street wears red jumper, blue jeans and black sandals

(Image credit: @piamance)

Style Notes: If understated is what you're looking for, it doesn't get more refined than the flip-flop sandal. Not the plastic styles of old, the modern y-strap sandal is made of refined leather set to last.

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4. Lace Up Sandals

Woman crouching wearing green top, beige skirt and strappy sandals

(Image credit: @monikh)

Style Notes: If you want a little bit of drama whilst still keeping that classic refinement, a lace-up sandal is a sure way to go. Especially with skirts and dresses, you'll reach for these over and over again.

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5. T-Bar Sandals

Woman takes photo in mirror wearing cream knit dress, basket bag and sandals

(Image credit: @anoukyve)

Style Notes: A new addition to the minimalist roster, the T-bar sandal emulates the letter with its straps, and might just be the grown up sister to the Y-shaped flip flop.

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Elinor Block