5 Italian Designer Sandal Trends for Summer 2027
Summer sandals are the shoes most likely to be bought on impulse and discarded after a season. Italian luxury makers approach them differently: leather straps cut and stitched to hold the foot securely, insoles shaped for walking, and soles that can be repaired. This guide covers five sandal styles to look for from Italian houses for summer 2027, what to check on the product page before you buy, how to care for them and how they compare on price and practicality. If you are building a wider footwear wardrobe, start with our complete guide to Italian designer shoes.
A note on “trends”: the Spring/Summer 2027 collections were shown in September and October 2026, and detailed retail availability and pricing are still being published. The styles below are drawn from enduring Italian sandal categories and from the direction of recent collections; check each brand’s website for what is actually on sale.
[Shop the top Italian designer sandals for Summer 2027]
Quick Overview: The 5 Sandal Styles
| Style | Key silhouette | Best for | Examples to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimalist strappy sandals | Thin leather straps, flat or low heel | Day-to-night wear, quiet luxury | Bottega Veneta, Zegna, Prada, Ferragamo |
| Platform sandals | Elevated sole, bold proportions | Height without a stiletto | Gucci, Casadei, Prada |
| Luxury slides and mules | Flat, slip-on, polished finishes | Beach, brunch, travel | Gucci, Tod’s, Bottega Veneta |
| Sculptural and heeled sandals | Architectural heels | Evening, weddings | Valentino Garavani, Casadei, Gucci |
| Sport-luxe sandals | Technical soles, adjustable straps | City walking, travel | Bottega Veneta, Prada, Tod’s |
Bottom line: choose by how you will actually use the shoe. A flat strappy sandal and a slide will be worn far more often than a sculptural heel.
Style 1: Minimalist Strappy Sandals
The minimalist strappy sandal is the quiet-luxury option: thin leather straps, a low or flat sole and a neutral palette, with branding limited to a small detail or none at all. Bottega Veneta applies its woven Intrecciato technique to straps, which makes the sandal recognizable only to those who know the house. Zegna builds on its menswear heritage with understated suede and leather designs, and Italian houses such as Prada and Ferragamo have long made versions in smooth calf and nappa leather.
What to check: leather lining on the footbed (it is more comfortable against bare skin than synthetic), how the straps are attached (stitched is stronger than glued), and whether the sole is leather, rubber or a composite. Our guide to leather vs rubber soles explains which suits sandals worn on pavement.
Styling: pair thin straps with substantial fabrics such as linen trousers, tailored shorts or a midi dress. Sand, tan and tobacco leathers go with most summer palettes. See how to style Italian shoes for every occasion for more outfit ideas.
Style 2: Platform Sandals
Platforms give extra height with a flatter foot angle than a stiletto. Gucci’s Horsebit hardware, originally associated with the house’s loafers, appears on platform and flatform sandals, and Casadei has long made platforms with fine strap work. If you love the Horsebit on a loafer, our guide to Gucci Horsebit 1953 loafers covers its history and how to spot a genuine pair.
What to check: platform weight (heavy soles tire the foot), a rocker profile that helps walking, and secure ankle or heel straps. Try them on and walk on a hard floor, because the sole height changes how the foot rolls.
Styling: wide-leg trousers, cropped jeans or flared skirts balance the visual weight of a platform; avoid very delicate floaty fabrics that compete with the sole.
Style 3: Luxury Slides and Mules
Slides are the easiest luxury sandal to wear every day. Gucci offers slides with Horsebit or Interlocking G details, Tod’s applies its shoemaking skills to leather mules (see why the Tod’s Gommino is so popular and how it differs from a driving shoe), and Bottega Veneta offers rubber and woven slides.
What to check: whether your foot sits fully on the footbed (a slide that is too short will hang over the edge), leather or rubber lining, and a non-slip outsole. A single wide strap can rub over time, so a padded or leather-lined strap is more comfortable.
Styling: slides suit slip dresses, maxi skirts and tailored shorts. Keep the rest of the outfit simple and let the leather or hardware be the focus.
Style 4: Sculptural and Heeled Sandals
Sculptural heels are the dressy end of the category: curved or metal heels, asymmetric blocks and strap constructions that read as design objects. Valentino Garavani’s Rockstud sandals are among the best-known Italian examples, Gucci offers Double G heeled sandals, and Casadei is known for sophisticated heel shapes. For formal summer occasions, see our guide to Italian designer wedding shoes for the outdoor ceremony and the shorter piece on outdoor ceremony shoes.
What to check: heel height and the position of the heel relative to your weight, since a heel that is too far back is unstable, plus a cushioned footbed and straps that keep the heel in place. Heels on lawns and cobblestones are tricky, so a block heel or wedge is safer outdoors.
If you want to maintain the shine on a patent finish, our article on cleaning patent leather Italian heels explains the right way.
Style 5: Sport-Luxe Sandals
Sport-luxe sandals combine technical soles and adjustable straps with luxury finishes. Bottega Veneta makes rubber and webbing-trimmed designs, and Zegna’s sneaker heritage (see our Zegna Triple Stitch review) informs its comfort-led shoes. If you prefer a closed shoe, our list of comfortable Italian luxury sneakers is a good alternative for long days on your feet.
What to check: a contoured footbed, a grippy rubber outsole, and straps that adjust at the heel and instep. Neoprene and technical fabrics clean more easily than suede but may look less refined.
What Italian Luxury Sandals Cost
Prices for summer 2027 styles were not all published at the time of writing, so treat the following as a rough guide based on the general price level of Italian luxury sandals in USD: accessible Italian labels commonly start in the low hundreds of dollars, major houses such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Tod’s and Valentino typically charge from several hundred to well over $1,000 depending on materials, heel construction and hardware, and evening styles sit at the top of that range. These figures are indicative and not confirmed against brand price lists, so check the product page.
Whether a sandal is worth the price depends on how often you will wear it, whether it is repairable, and how well it fits. Our guide on whether luxury Italian shoes are worth the money covers that question in more depth. For a comparison of national styles, see Italian vs French luxury shoe brands and Italian shoes vs French shoes.
How Should Italian Sandals Fit?
Sandals should hold the heel securely, leave the toes just short of the front edge and keep straps from digging in when you walk. Sizing differs by house and style, and Italian sizes are not the same as US sizes, so check the brand’s size chart. Leather straps stretch slightly with wear, so the first fit should be snug but not painful. For more detail, read how Italian designer shoes should fit.
Care and Maintenance
- Smooth leather: wipe with a soft dry cloth after wear and condition occasionally with a product suited to the leather. Never soak.
- Suede: brush with a suede brush and use a protective spray; avoid conditioners.
- Patent leather: wipe clean and keep away from heat, which can make the surface sticky.
- Rubber and technical fabric: spot-clean with mild soap and water.
- Storage: use dust bags rather than plastic, store away from sun and heat, and keep pairs separate so hardware does not scratch leather.
For a complete routine, see how to care for Italian leather shoes. A cobbler can replace worn soles and heel tips on most leather-soled sandals, which is one of the practical advantages of buying well-made pairs.
Where to Buy
Brand boutiques and brand websites give the widest choice and the clearest authenticity. Established multi-brand luxury retailers also stock these houses, but check that the retailer is authorized. For second-hand pairs, use platforms that authenticate items and offer returns, and compare photos of labels, stamps and soles with the brand’s own pages. Our guide to the best Italian luxury shoe brands helps you decide which houses suit your taste, and our piece on how to spot authentic Italian designer pieces gives general guidance (note that no checklist can prove authenticity).
Which Sandals to Buy First
If you buy only one pair, choose a neutral minimalist strappy sandal or a well-made slide: both work across more outfits and are worn more often. Add a heeled or sculptural pair only if you have specific occasions for it. For active travel days, a sport-luxe design is more practical than a heel.
[Shop Minimalist Strappy Sandals]
[Shop Chunky Platform Sandals]
[Shop Luxury Slide Sandals]
[Shop Sculptural Heel Sandals]
[Shop Sport-Luxe Sandals]
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Designer Sandals
Which Italian sandals are most comfortable for all-day wear?
Slides with contoured leather footbeds and sport-luxe sandals with rubber outsoles and adjustable straps are generally the most comfortable for long days. Try them on and walk on a hard floor before buying.
Are limited-edition luxury sandals worth buying?
Only if you like them. Resale value is not guaranteed and depends on condition, size and demand, so buy to wear rather than to profit.
How do I size designer sandals correctly?
Check the brand’s size chart, because Italian sizes differ from US sizes and fit varies by house. The heel should sit securely and the toes should not hang over the front edge.
How do I maintain Italian leather sandals?
Wipe with a soft dry cloth, condition smooth leather occasionally, brush suede, and store in a dust bag away from heat and sun. Have a cobbler replace worn soles.
Where can I buy authentic designer sandals?
Buy from brand boutiques, brand websites or authorized multi-brand retailers. For pre-owned pairs, use platforms that authenticate items and offer returns.
Which Italian brands make the best sandals?
Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Tod’s, Valentino Garavani, Prada, Ferragamo, Zegna and Casadei all make well-regarded sandals. The best choice depends on the style you want and your budget.
