Some shoe brands begin with a shape. TKEES began with a wish: a flip-flop that almost disappeared on the foot. Carly and Jesse Burnett started it in 2009, after looking for a barely-there sandal that was accessible and responsibly produced and finding nothing they liked. The original Lily arrived in five nude shades with makeup-inspired names, so the whole idea made sense before you read a word. TKEES tells that story plainly, which I appreciate: one missing shoe, one simple fix, and colors chosen with skin tone in mind.

The label settled in Toronto, began with small boutiques, then moved online and added clothing. I like that growing did not mean a new identity. The first idea still holds, which is that a sandal should do as little as it can and still look finished.

Carly is the creative director and Jesse is the CEO, and the design order is silhouette first, fit second, color last. You can see it in the range, which runs from a plain thong to square toes, suede and one flash of glitter. I would pick the shape I will wear most, then choose a shade that sits quietly beside what I already own.

The shapes TKEES started with are the ones I would look at first: Julia Square Toe Suede Flip Flop, Foundations Matte Flip Flop and Square Toe Lily Sandal. Julia gives the bare flip-flop a squared edge and a suede finish, Foundations stays closest to the makeup-inspired beginning, and Lily carries that clean line into a sandal.

Picture her slipping into Foundations Matte Flip Flop on the way to an open-air lunch, wide-leg linen and a tote, then changing into Julia for dinner when the suede can read a little dressier. Lily Square Toe Flip Flop is another straightforward pick, Square Toe Lily Suede Sandal changes the texture, and Glitters Flip Flop is the small, funny one. Women's Sarit Strappy Sandals and Jo Sandal are for the days when a thong feels like too little.

What I would skip: a row of near-identical neutrals. Choose the shape and shade that work with the clothes already in the closet, and stop there.

I understand why the Lily came first. It is a small, specific answer to a familiar warm-weather problem, and the brand has kept that restraint as the range grew. If you want a heavily cushioned or ornate sandal, this pared-back lane may not be yours, and that is fine. I would also hold off buying several colors until I knew which shade looked right against the clothes I actually wear. Start with the silhouette you reach for most, then let color make the final call. I went deeper on a related idea in THE UPSIDE Trousers, Denim and Skirts: The Pieces Worth Buying This Season.

The rest of this edit leans on sandals and flip-flops, so a few closed-toe shapes make a nice change of pace. Rudy Mule in Carob Croc and in Sable Croc, plus Square Toe Reese Suede in Bare Pink and in Sable, keep the streamlined line but cover more of the foot. I would use the mules when an outfit wants a more finished shoe, and the suede pairs on days when a soft, quiet finish feels right. Each comes in two colorways, so I would choose the one that suits the clothes I wear most instead of collecting both. If you want to keep going, Artless Tops: Styles Worth Buying Right Now is the one I would read next.

For warm days, Lennon Boyfriend in Rich Brown or Ivory is the broader sandal statement, while Phoenix in Neon Yellow and Lily Braid in Sunkissed bring more color and texture. Aqua in Blue Rush is the easygoing flip-flop of the group. Then the edit turns to comfort dressing: CloudSoft Zip Up Hoodie in Dark Chocolate and CloudSoft Wide Leg Jogger in Green make a travel pairing, or the pieces I would change into after a long day out.

My tip is to bring the pants or dress you expect to wear most when you compare the mules and sandals, because toe shape and hem length affect each other. What I would skip is Neon Yellow just because it is the brightest. It should connect to a color already in the outfit, so the shoe looks chosen and not added on.