Red Sandals, 15 Ways
a case for a summer red
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have bought red sandals. I had this pair on my wishlist for three consecutive summers before finally ordering them. Each time I looked them up, I figured I’d just buy the “safe” black pair — they go with everything, I’d tell myself. Then I remembered how I’d crave a bit of color each summer, when I wore variations of black and white outfits. So I bought the red pair and I haven’t looked back since. Here are a few ways I’ve been wearing them, plus some inspiration in case you’re contemplating a red sandal too.
ps — if you like this, you’ll also love Maria Hyde’s A knit vest, 18 outfits and White jeans, 18 outfits letters where she styles one piece multiple ways. I highly recommend! And if you’re not already subscribing to her, you definitely should! She’s one of my favorites on Substack.
This newsletter contains affiliate links, and I may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. You can find more details below.
For a Dinner Date with Friends
We had dinner plans, so I reached for something casual, but intentional. A few of my favorite accessories — namely, a stracciatella cowhide purse and dangly white earrings (gifted).
For a Trip to the Fancy “Mall”
We headed to Samaritaine to escape the heat. While this may look like a dress, it’s actually two separates — a tank and a skirt (alt)! I love having the ability to switch out the tank and “creating” various “dress” options. If you prefer a dress, these two have a similar shape: option 2 & option 1.
For Post Shoot Errands Run
After a morning shoot, I changed out of my jeans into linen pants (gifted). To feel a tad more put together. I swapped my tennis shoes and camera bag for my red sandals and straw bag (alt) — a staple in the summer months for me.
To Beat The Heat
I’ve worn this exact outfit several times — it’s lightweight, one of those dresses that barely touches you. Perfect for the hot weather.
ps — I went based off of my hip measurement, and it ended up roomy in the chest. I could have gone down a size, but I’m loving the extra space in the heat.
I bought this dress as a “getting ready outfit” (alt | alt) for my wedding, specifically because I wanted something I could easily rewear every summer. Three years later, I’d have never guessed this pairing for me, but that’s the beauty of evolving.
For When You Want to Change One Thing
We went to a coffee shop with AC to treat ourselves to a refreshing drink — passion fruit lemonade for me and a hibiscus with mango cold foam for my husband. A long sleeve in the heat? I know, but I find they help me stay cool when they’re lightweight and provide extra coverage from the sun!
Easily one of my favorite outfits from my trip to Provence. There’s something about a trouser that I love — is it how it can easily elevate any look, or maybe I’m just romanticizing trousers after a week of excessive heat.
For a Bagel Lunch Date
It’s hard to believe this outfit is recent, but with a breeze in the air, it was the perfect combo.
For The Outfit Repeater
Almost a year apart, I’m wearing the same outfit base with some slight modifications to my accessories. It’s an excellent example of why colorful pieces (or accessories!) aren’t a one hit wonders — they work across many seasons and moods.
Another outfit I wore last summer as a flat lay to give you the vision. This year, I’d swap the belt for a basket or an east-west purse in a deep brown to create separation.
More Outfit Inspo
If you’re considering a red sandal but have different silhouettes in mind, here are a few inspired by pieces I have and pieces I have my eye on.
Look One — Black, White & Brown Pairings
I love pairing black, white and brown together. If you prefer a solid color approach, you can find the matching bottoms to this top here.
Look Two — Structured Neutrals
I’ve been on the hunt for slightly more polished tops that can span more than one season. The pleats on this top give it structure while remaining comfortable. I paired it with a poplin short, but you could easily swap it for a skirt or trousers!
Look Three — Simple Dress
After this week, I’m definitely in need of more short dresses. It’s an easy silhouette that pairs perfectly with a touch of color and minimal accessories on those hot summer days.
Look Four — Dimension via Layers
Hear me out — the long sleeve shirt tied around the waist, slightly to the side. If a striped shirt isn’t your thing, you can easily swap it for a patterned or colorful option. A purse would work too!
Look Five — Olive Tones
I wore pants similar to these in 2018 — though a skinny jean style which I ended up removing from my closet permanently. Fast forward to present day and I’m longing for another pair (no skinny jeans this time). This tank is loose and roomy — which plays into the vibe of the outfit.
ps — if this feels too Christmas adjacent, a brown pair would work just as well!
More Red Sandal Options
If the style I showcased doesn’t speak to you, here are a few other ways to explore a red shoe:
These latticed strap sandals that I also considered. If you don’t love the lattice, these two hide the toes in a similar way: option 1, option 2.
A flip flop version, if you don’t need something for longer walks
A strappy heel version here, or alternatively, a kitten heel option here and here
If bright red isn’t your thing, a muted red offers impact in a subtle way
If sandals aren’t your thing, a woven flat, ballet flat or a mule (use OFELIA15 for 15% off) would would work just as well
All featured items mentioned here.
Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more snippets of daily life in Paris. You can also find me on Indyx if you’d like to take a peek at what I’m wearing.
These red sandals are a perfect reminder that breaking away from my minimalist tendencies adds variety to an otherwise neutral closet. For me, summer is a season where I can more comfortably explore what showing up intentionally looks like. Red sandals were the perfect stepping stone for that.
As always, I’d love to hear which combination was your favorite or how you’re injecting color into your summer wardrobe.
xx Ofelia
Disclosure: This newsletter contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them. Not all links are monetized — I only share brands whose quality and design focus I admire. Some pieces were gifted from prior years and their reappearance in current newsletters reflects my confidence in that brand’s products . Everything featured reflects items I genuinely love, would buy and wear myself.
If you liked this, you might also like the following:
The Perfect White Tee Is a Myth
I’m sorry to all my friends who’ve received non-stop texts about t-shirts. I think where we go wrong when it comes to finding the perfect t-shirt is wanting one that does it all. As I’ve gotten better at layering, I’m realizing there’s no one-size-fits-all. In the spirit of that, I wanted to share what I’ve tried and why I ended up passing on a majority of them.
Keeping Tabs
I constantly test the limits of my computer’s memory with the number of tabs I keep open — some might call it an addiction, I call it admiration for brands doing cool things. Apart from my computer, my husband was the only one who knew about my tab count and poked fun at me for it constantly. He clearly doesn’t appreciate the art of curation.
May Favorites '26
May was another jam packed month. As I was going back through my camera roll, I thought to myself “that was a few weeks ago?!” Some pictures already felt like they were from a lifetime ago. We had friends in town, visited family, endured a heatwave and ate lots of gelato. It was the kind of month where time collapses in on itself. I’m telling myself those are signs of time well spent.
I just ordered a pair of red Havainas to try!
Love the red shoes, especially with the brown dress (obvs). The fun (colorful) thing is usually the better choice, but sometimes it takes a lot of unlearning to get there!