5 Best Leather Sandals Our Editors Are Bookmarking for Spring and Summer

My non-fashion friends just asked me what the best leather sandals of the season were and I had a lot to say about it.

There’s always that shoe. The one that quietly dominates every wardrobe for a season, popping up on pavements, in front-row photos, and on all the best dressed people you pass in cafés. Autumn has its loafers, winter gets all snug and booted up—but when spring hits, sandals step in (quite literally) to remind us that style doesn’t have to be heavy-handed. And this year, the best leather sandals are doing more than just filling the seasonal slot—they’re setting the tone for the entire outfit.

There’s something deliciously optimistic about sandal weather. It means we’ve survived the long slog of winter and we’re slowly edging back into our social selves. Dinners that start in daylight, weekends spent outside (ideally with wine), and a sense that getting dressed doesn’t have to be about shielding yourself from the elements. And while you might be tempted to dig out last year’s worn-in favourites, the 2025 runways have quietly made the case for a refresh—with a few leather sandals emerging as some of the most wearable and genuinely cool trends of the season.

But here’s the catch. Finding the best leather sandals can be a bit of a minefield. Between the toe-post styles that are almost too minimal, the chunky pairs that err on practical, and the heeled options that look great but rarely survive more than two hours, the sweet spot isn’t always obvious. Add to that the overwhelming number of options, from designer labels to high-street gems, and it’s understandable if your ‘Add to Basket’ confidence is wavering.