A broad, simple strap gives a flat sandal its quiet shape. These pairs keep the lines clean, with a few subtle details for days when a plain slide feels too spare.

The Free People Verona in tan is closest to a bare-foot feeling, with one wide plain strap and a soft leather upper, lining and insole. The Franco Sarto Brianka in black adds an oversized gold ring for a little hardware. The Vince Sadie keeps a wide strap with polished bar hardware over a contoured footbed, and the Zadig & Voltaire Azora is a smooth black slip-on with a squared toe.

For an easy outfit, wear a simple slide with cropped trousers and a long coat on a mild day. Before buying, slide your foot in and check that the strap lies flat across the widest part of your foot, with no gap at the sides.

Cutouts make a broad sandal strap feel lighter while keeping the shape graphic. Look for cleanly finished edges and a strap that stays comfortable as your foot moves.

The Tory Burch Pierced Slide in white is neat and graphic, with a smooth leather upper and pierced accents. The Steve Madden Lotus in tan leather has looping floral cutouts and a square toe, while the Veronica Beard Myla uses diamond perforations across a black strap. The Naturalizer Niche has a brown leather cutout strap and studs on a low heel. The Bruno Magli Farra pairs its cutout styling with a polished buckle, and the Frances Valentine Heart in gold has a metallic leather upper and lining. The UGG Goldenstar Hi Cutout in bone is a suede platform, chunkier than the rest.

I would wear a cutout slide with a camel knit and a plain column skirt, letting the strap provide the detail. Check that the cut edges are even, with no fraying, and that the strap sits flat when you flex your foot. The Dr. Martens Zebzag Flower is a fun choice for a bolder look, but its lug sole and heavyweight Crazy Horse leather are not minimal.

A thicker sole and adjustable straps turn a flat sandal into a practical choice for longer days. The key is a secure fit and enough support underfoot, rather than extra details for their own sake.

The two Sorel sandals are the sturdy end of this group. The Ona Ave is a black flat with a full-grain leather forefoot strap and an ankle strap, and the Kinetic Sunchase in bone closes with adjustable hook-and-loop straps on a ridged sole. The Dr. Scholl’s Time Off Sky in black has wide straps and a white sneaker-style sole, while its beige sibling is a strappy sport hybrid with a buckled ankle strap. The ECCO Flash is a classic leather flat with a lightweight sole, and the UGG Goldenstar Villa sets a leather upper on a sugarcane EVA midsole. The Born Trinidad has arch support, and the EuroSoft Halle has a rubber outsole made for grip.

I would wear these with cropped denim and a boxy shirt, or with socks when mornings turn cold. They make sense for a long walking day, an airport or a weekend away. Close each strap at its loosest and tightest setting, then walk on a hard floor. Your heel should stay put and nothing should dig in. If you will be on your feet all day, skip thin, flat soles and look for arch support or a cushioned midsole.

Suede softens the broad-strap sandal and gives it a more tactile finish. A good pair should lie flat, hold its shape and have a footbed that feels comfortable under your weight.

The Seychelles Bungalow is the plainest, a smooth suede slip-on with a wide strap. The Vince Vilma in tan has a twisted strap and square toe, which I would pair with tailored trousers. The VIONIC Yasmina in mocha mousse is a platform with arch support, and the Birkenstock Arizona in sandcastle places suede over a contoured cork-latex footbed. The Dolce Vita Dixi has a raffia-wrapped midsole, the UGG Goldengaze has a buckle and hook-and-loop vamp strap, and the Dolce Vita Witny carries two oversized buckles on an espadrille platform. The Cinq à Sept Faith is the dressier option, with a knotted bow and covered block heel.

For a cooler day, wear suede slides with a chunky knit and straight jeans, or with brown tights and a pleated skirt. Brush the suede, use a protective spray before the first outing, and keep it out of the rain. Pale suede is a poor choice for a wet commute, and the bow detail is less versatile than a plain strap. Tan and mocha are easy colors to wear.

Metallic leather turns a quiet slide into a small point of shine. The finish should read as leather rather than plastic, so look closely at how it bends before choosing a pair.

The Franco Sarto Emilana in gold has woven straps, the ALDO Rosmary has an interlaced strappy upper on dual-density Pillow Walk foam, and the Nine West Gammy has wide interlocking straps with a treaded sole. The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed in silver is metallic leather on a familiar two-strap shape. The Tory Burch Ines has gold metallic straps in a caged pattern with a logo at the center. The Donna Karan Harmony has crisscross straps and a metallic strip outlining the footbed, the Bella Vita in silver has a ruched wide strap, and the Revitalign Kholo Nuevo in copper has a wide adjustable strap on a supportive footbed.

I would wear metallic slides with black tights and a slip skirt, or with dark jeans and a gray sweater. Treat the shine like a belt buckle: let one detail gleam and keep the rest of the outfit matte. Bend the sandal slightly and check the fold. Good metallic leather creases softly rather than flaking. Skip the busiest woven styles when the outfit already has texture, such as a bouclé jacket.

Choose the sole first: a flat slide suits easy, shorter outings, while a sporty sandal with a supportive footbed works better for a full day on your feet. Then decide whether you want a wide plain strap, a cutout detail, suede or a metallic finish.

I would start with a tan or black leather slide, since both work with nearly everything, and add an adjustable Sorel pair for longer walks. Check the material, footbed and sole before settling on a style. A strap should feel secure without pinching, and the heel should not slip as you walk.

The best wide-strap sandal is the one that fits your actual day. Choose the quiet pair for outfits that already have plenty going on, and the cutout or metallic version when the rest of your look is simple.

If you love the Hermès Oran sandals, these pieces are worth considering too. If you want to keep browsing, I also put together The Sandal Rule Nobody Follows and Designer Slides for Women.