The best sandals are the ones that make getting dressed simpler, not the ones that demand a whole outfit around them. I am looking for a secure sole, a shape that can cross from daytime to dinner, and enough personality to make a plain dress feel intentional. The practical rule I use is to spend first on the pair that will get walked in, then allow one more decorative purchase if it earns its space. Flat sandals should hold the foot without making you grip with your toes. A wedge should feel stable rather than merely tall. Leather is usually worth paying for when the shape is classic, while embellishment only earns a higher price when the rest of the shoe stays clean. I also like a sandal that can be described in one sentence. That usually means the design is doing the work, rather than a pile of straps, hardware and hopeful styling. The edit below moves from height to material to ornament, because those are the decisions that actually change how a sandal behaves. Below, the pairs I would consider, from dependable flat soles to the more theatrical options that still have a reason to exist.

RAYE understands that a sandal has to be attractive before it can be useful, and this is a surprisingly broad group for a single label. The Marceau Sandal at $86 and the Hanni Sandal at $81 are the sensible entry points, while the Paola Sandal at $169 has enough presence to carry a simple outfit. I also like the Julie Heel at $158 when a flat will not do, and the Marah Sandal at $148 for a quieter evening choice. The range is strongest when it keeps the lines uncluttered. If I were choosing only one, I would start with the pair that gives the foot the most security, then add drama later.

Platforms And Wedges are for the person who wants height without the negotiation of a narrow heel. The Coach Marie Platform Sandal at $166 is the useful starting point, while the Rag & Bone Jo Thong Wedge Sandal at $298 keeps the shape from feeling too sweet. The Loeffler Randall Loretta Platform Sandal at $423 is a more deliberate purchase, and the Cult Gaia Orly Wedge Sandal at $698 is for an outfit that can handle a strong silhouette. A wedge is only successful when the base looks stable from every angle, so I would inspect the transition from sole to upper before falling for the height.

Leather is the place to be exact, because the material makes even a simple sandal look considered. The Leather sandals at $815 are the deliberately plain starting point. The Simkhai Marion Metallic Leather Shell Heel at $288 is the less predictable pick, while the Amina Muaddi Juliette 45 leather thong sandals at $840 make a familiar shape feel evening-ready. The Jimmy Choo Ayla snake-effect leather sandals at $950 are a statement without needing extra decoration, and the Maison Margiela Tabi City split-toe leather sandals at $1,490 are a genuine design decision. I would choose the pair whose straps sit securely before worrying about the label.

Flat Soles are for long days, and the good ones make comfort look like a choice. The Coach Margot Flat Sandal at $156 is the practical buy, while the Rag & Bone Remi Flat Sandal at $328 offers a cleaner, more polished line. The Alexander Wang Jenna Tubular Flat Thong Sandal at $295 is the graphic option, and the Anine Bing Ria Braided Slides at $325 give a familiar slide more texture. Check the sole against your walking habits. A flat that slips or folds under the foot is not a bargain, whatever its price.

The Shopping List is where I put the sandals that refuse a neat category but still justify the space. The Gucci Fisherman embellished rubber sandals at $500 are useful only if you like the contrast between a sturdy shape and decoration. The Schutz Azure Mid Embellished Sandal at $149 is easier to wear, while the Jeffrey Campbell Bailar Sequin Sandal at $101 is the inexpensive bit of mischief. For something more restrained, the Loeffler Randall Hayes Studded Flat Sandal at $275 has enough detail without taking over. I would keep this group for the days when the outfit needs one clear point of interest.

A final note on sandals: the footbed matters more than the photograph. I would stand in the shoe, check whether the straps sit where they should, and make sure the heel does not slide before deciding that a pretty shape is practical. Decorative pairs deserve a little care, especially anything with beads, sequins or delicate surface work. Store them with the straps unbent and do not let them rattle around with heavier shoes. My preference is one flat pair, one low or mid-height option and one pair that makes a plain outfit feel newly awake. That is enough variety to get dressed without turning the shoe cupboard into a second wardrobe. Phoebe