Bracelet Sandals Are the Shoe Trend to Watch for Summer 2024

If there’s one accessory trend for spring-summer 2024 that has my attention right now, it’s bracelet sandals. And not just because the cuffed shoes are a sign that the hottest season—one of vacations, travel, and time in the sun—is coming. I love the look of lace-up and gladiator sandals, but they can quickly lose their appeal once you have to deal with complicated straps. Cuffed sandals with a bracelet detail, however, are much more functional while still giving your ankle that extra decorative touch.

We first noticed the style last September during fashion weeks and now, as warmer weather approaches, we can finally look forward to wearing them. Ferragamo is one designer who embraced the micro tend on the runway: Maximilian Davis was inspired by Renaissance armor that, in this instance, led to a functional strap (the so-called bracelet) that holds the shoe firmly in place while also giving it an elegant detail. It’s a simple design but one that can instantly elevate any spring or summer dress.

They’re also a great alternative to jeweled sandals, if crystals and rhinestones aren’t your thing. A more minimal style, bracelet sandals offer a fresh twist on other ankle-strap shoes. The bracelet is the key here: The strap is tall and thick, not thin like we’re used to, and should remind you of your favorite cuffed jewelry. Also important is the shiny finish, often metallic.

Ankle-strap sandals are—and always have been—a classic, but this reinterpretation of the style offers a clean, more modern approach. Bracelet sandals may use minimalist leather bands, like those by Ferragamo, or artfully crafted metal plates like those at Alaïa. René Caovilla, a label known for its sandals covered with micro crystals, has a model in metallic leather (and satin) that’s reminiscent of the bracelets of ancient Rome.

Shop the look below.

This post was originally published in Vogue Italy.