Loafers or sneakers? Sure, we have a foot in both camps. But when it comes to summer, only one shoe is king. Step forward the sandal. And yet, whether you’re packing for your vacation or bravely displaying your digits while working your nine-to-five, you’ll want to get it right. You don’t want to turn up to a wedding in pool slides, for instance. And you should always opt for something a little more structured when you’re roaming the city streets. One of each of the below styles, though, will set you up for any occasion – and keep you on your toes.

Summer holidays mean you have the freedom to experiment with fabrics, colours and textures, and there’s no reason why that shouldn’t start with your shoes. Raffia has summer woven into it, so Manolo Blahnik’s refined pair should be your first port of call. Also consider relaxed suede or leather styles that are versatile enough to work with swim shorts during the day and relaxed tailoring for an evening stroll.

Sandals for city dwellers, or indeed city breakers, need to be sturdy and structured to withstand ample steps counts. Thicker-sole styles from the likes of Mr P., John Lobb and Brunello Cucinelli ensure style and comfort for long days of socialising, sightseeing and running errands. Of course, they look equally cool when simply kicking back with an iced coffee.