M&S £35 sandals could be mistaken for £600 designer pair

With many of us thinking, dreaming about and booking our summer holidays during the cold winter months, it’s never too early to start getting our wardrobes ready for warmer weather. In anticipation, Marks and Spencer has already launched many of its spring and summer items, and as a shopping writer and self-proclaimed M&S fan, several new season items have already caught my eye.

One pair of sandals in particular caught my attention as they instantly reminded me of a pair of designer sandals. The Hermes Oran sandals have been popular for over 25 years, most known for the cut-out design which is based on the ‘H’ of Hermes. A number of celebrities have been seen wearing them, including Eva Longoria and Meghan Markle, but retailing for £610, they aren’t the most budget-friendly option. 

The shape and detail of the M&S wide strap offer a similar aesthetic to the Hermes Oran sandals, though are certainly a little more in line with my own budget. Costing £35, the sandals are £575 less than Hermes.

Of course, sandals aren’t identical, but they give a similar effect, with the slip-on design and squared-off toe. The Hermes sandals have more subtle contrast stitching, whereas the Marks and Spencer version features eye-catching contrast edging, plus an extra strap through the middle.

Aside from the designer name, calfskin leather adds to the cost of the Oran sandals. However, the M&S Flat Mules don’t contain any leather, making them a great vegan footwear alternative. 

They also come in three different colourways – tan, ivory and light blue – with the classic tan option being my personal favourite. 

As the sandals are a new addition to M&S, they have only racked up two customer reviews on the M&S website so far, but they are marked as ‘selling fast’, so it seems they’re proving popular with shoppers. 

One customer review said: ”Really like these sandals which I [bought] in tan. Very comfortable and I like the colour scheme of the dark sole and stitching. I will just warn you that these come up small. I have always been a size six, sometimes a five in boots or trainers but needed a seven in these so my feet weren’t so close to the end! [SIC]

Of course, M&S isn’t the only high street brand to release similarly inspired slip-on sandals for summer.

For a daintier version of the M&S sandals, you could opt for the Dune London Black Loupe Smart Slider Sandals, which have a very similar shape to Hermes’ Oran Sandals.

They’re a good option if you’re after a black pair and are also made from 100% leather, which can make for a softer feel once they’re worn in. Retailing for £99, the Dune London Slider Sandals are a more premium purchase, but if you are after genuine leather, then it may be worth investing.

High-street shoe store Schuh also has a very similar alternative, on sale for an affordable £35. The Tandra leather mule sandals come in tan and white, as well as metallic gold for glitzier looks.

The simple design offers a similar shape and slip-on style to the classic Hermes Sandals, though provides a thicker band. According to Shuch, the sandals are part leather.