Sandals are enjoying a renaissance of late. Time was when you might only wear them on holiday or at the gym, but these days they are fair game in the city as much as on the sand.

Open-toed footwear comes in many forms, so deciding how to wear sandals really depends on your personal style and what kind of look you’re after. For streetwear fiends there’s hiking-style sandals or sliders; for those after comfort, Birkenstocks are ever-popular; and for those looking for something smarter, designer and high street stores are rarely short of smart leather sandals that can be dressed up further with tailored trousers.

However, with a growing range of acceptable sandals comes greater scope for getting things wrong. Make one foul move, and you’ll end up looking like a lost German tourist on the way to Disneyland. Do them well though, and you’ll be both stylish and comfortable under the summer sun, ready to tackle a city break or head from the beach to the bar and even dinner with ease.

With Suit Separates

River Island

In traditional circles, the idea of tailoring and sandals being worn together is sartorial sacrilege. As long as a few caveats are taken note of, however, it’s no longer a pairing that will see you handed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order by the Savile Row society.

The first rule is no socks, especially not white ones designed for sport. The sandals you choose are also of the utmost importance. Avoid flip-flops, which are too casual to fly with lapels, and instead opt for a discreet pair in black or navy which are free from logos or patterns.

Next up is the tailoring that you pair with your sandals. Suit separates will de-formalise your look, lessening the severity of the high-low contrast. Choose dark trousers which match your sandals to keep a clean line. For balance up top, throw on a neutral blazer, and finish with a grandad collar shirt in white to hit the sartorial sweet spot on the smart-casual continuum.