The Mandarina Summer Holiday Shoe Guide

Holiday shoes have a very important job. They need to be comfortable enough for wandering, pretty enough for lunch, light enough to pack, and useful enough to earn their place in the suitcase.

Because nobody wants to waste precious luggage space on shoes that only work with one outfit. We want shoes that can do airport, beach, market, terrace, supper, sightseeing and “just popping out for one drink” with minimum fuss and maximum style.

So, whether you are off to the coast, the city, the countryside or simply planning to holiday beautifully at home, here are Mandarina’s top summer holiday shoe picks.

Menorcan Sandals 

A Mediterranean classic with a glorious splash of colour, available in Papaya orange, Lake blue, Verbena green, and Bougainvillea pink.

The Menorcan Sandals are traditional Avarca leather sandals in bright, sun-drenched shades that instantly says holiday. Simple, flat, breathable and beautifully unfussy, they are the kind of sandals you can wear all day without looking as though you have gone full sensible-shoe.

The wide leather foot band feels secure without being fussy, while the slingback strap is designed to stay in place. Add a waterproof rubber sole and you have a properly practical summer sandal that still looks chic, colourful and wonderfully relaxed.

Perfect for:
Mediterranean holidays, beach towns, sightseeing, market days, coastal walks, casual lunches, villa evenings and days when you want colour without complication.

Pair with:
White linen, denim shorts, floaty dresses, printed kaftans, navy trousers, beach sarongs, cotton sundresses and anything that needs a flash of warm, happy colour.

Packing tip:
A bright sandal can do more than you think. These colours all looks fabulous with white, navy, denim, khaki, pink, turquoise and summer prints, so pack them as your cheerful colour-pop pair.

Hawaiian Tropic Canvas Flats

Holiday shoes with absolutely no intention of behaving quietly.

The Hawaiian Tropic Canvas Flats are bright, colourful printed espadrilles with a classic rope-style sole and an easy slip-on shape. They bring instant sunshine to a suitcase and are perfect when your outfit needs one fabulous splash of colour.

These are not the “go with everything by disappearing” shoes. These are the “go with everything because they make everything better” shoes. Wear them with simple holiday basics and let the print do all the hard work.

Perfect for:
Beach towns, summer markets, poolside lunches, colourful city breaks, cruise holidays, relaxed evenings and sunny days when plain shoes simply will not do.

Pair with:
White linen trousers, denim shorts, a simple navy dress, cotton sundresses, a white shirt and shorts, beach kaftans, basket bags and big sunglasses.

Packing tip:
Pack one statement flat. It saves you taking lots of “maybe” shoes because it can lift all your simple holiday outfits in one go.

Cruz Sailor Stripe Slip-On Espadrilles

Nautical but nice, and very easy to love.

The Cruz Sailor Stripe Slip-On Espadrilles are classic navy and natural striped espadrilles with a relaxed holiday feel. The cutaway sides give them a more elegant shape than a basic slip-on, while the traditional rope sole and waterproof rubber base make them practical for warm days at home or abroad.

These are the shoes for white linen, sea air, turned-up hems and that delicious “I may or may not be near a harbour” look.

Perfect for:
Coastal holidays, city breaks, sightseeing, boat trips, casual lunches, airport travel and days when sandals feel too bare.

Pair with:
White linen trousers, navy shorts, a striped Breton top, turned-up denim, a loose white shirt, cotton sundresses or a simple navy midi dress.

Packing tip:
Navy and white earns its place in the suitcase. These will work with almost every holiday neutral, and they are much smarter than trainers when you still want comfort.

Cruz Vanilla Crochet Slip-On Espadrilles

Soft, feminine and quietly fabulous.

The Cruz Vanilla Crochet Slip-On Espadrilles are pretty just-off-white crochet espadrilles with cutaway sides, traditional rope soles and blanket stitching. They have that lovely basket-weave, beach-to-lunch feeling, but without looking flimsy or throwaway.

These are the summer shoes you will reach for again and again because they dress up without trying too hard. Very useful. Very pretty. Very “oh these old things?” when secretly they are doing all the work.

Perfect for:
Beach lunches, relaxed evenings, holiday markets, warm weekends, summer dinners, villa holidays and pretty daytime outfits.

Pair with:
Flowy summer dresses, beach kaftans, denim shorts, wide-leg linen trousers, white jeans, cotton skirts, basket bags and gold jewellery.

Packing tip:
A soft neutral shoe is a suitcase hero. Pack these instead of a second pair of dressy sandals if you want something lighter, flatter and more wearable.

Amalfi Sandals in Pink

A pretty pink espadrille sandal with no fiddly ankle ribbons. Hoorah indeed.

The Amalfi Sandals in Pink are soft suede flat espadrille sandals in a rose pink shade that works beautifully with summer prints, navy, white, denim and soft neutrals. The elasticated heel band keeps them secure, while the 2cm flat sole makes them wonderfully easy to wear.

They are cheerful without being silly, feminine without being precious, and comfortable enough for proper holiday wear.

Perfect for:
Beach towns, casual dinners, family holidays, summer sightseeing, relaxed wedding weekends, garden lunches and brightening up everyday outfits.

Pair with:
Navy and white linens, denim shorts, rolled-up jeans, floral sundresses, cotton maxi skirts, white capris and colourful holiday prints.

Packing tip:
Pink is more useful than you think. Treat it like a soft neutral and wear it with denim, navy, white, khaki, cream and summer florals.

Coastal Breeze Ruffle Slider Sandals

For sunshine, suntanned legs and prettily painted toes.

The Coastal Breeze Ruffle Slider Sandals are easy slip-on sandals with a playful ruffle foot band, cushioned cork footbed and lightweight rubber soles. In zingy Tiger orange, soft sea blue and cool neutral stone, they will add instant holiday mood to even the simplest outfit.

They are casual, comfortable and full of personality. Exactly what you want when your day involves sun cream, a sarong and absolutely no complicated footwear.

Perfect for:
Pool days, beach bars, relaxed weekends, villa holidays, casual sightseeing, garden days and slipping on after a swim.

Pair with:
Floaty sundresses, sarongs, linen shorts, beach cover-ups, wide-leg cotton trousers, a white shirt dress or simple denim cut-offs.

Packing tip:
Always pack one easy slider. You need something you can slip on and off quickly for the pool, beach, balcony, breakfast buffet or that urgent dash for ice creams.

Pink Star Pumps

Pretty, practical and much more useful than they have any right to be.

The Pink Star Pumps are soft rose-pink ballerina pumps with a delicate all-over star pattern and button trim. Light to pack, easy to wear and versatile enough for day-to-evening, they are a brilliant holiday shoe for anyone who does not want to live in sandals.

They are relaxed, sweet and comfortable, but still feel special enough for supper out. A very good “one pair, multiple looks” shoe.

Perfect for:
Travel days, city breaks, dinners, sightseeing, cooler evenings, cruise holidays, summer parties and days when you want a closed toe.

Pair with:
Turned-up trousers, denim shorts, cropped jeans, sundresses, floaty frocks, cotton skirts and soft knitwear for cooler evenings.

Packing tip:
Ballerina pumps are brilliant for flights and evenings when your feet want a little more cover. Pop them in a shoe bag and they will barely trouble the suitcase.

Summer Plimsolls / Leaf Green

The go-anywhere summer shoe.

The Summer Plimsolls in Leaf Green are light, comfortable, easy and properly useful. Made in Spain with an organic cotton canvas upper, rubber toe cap and hard-wearing natural rubber soles, they are exactly the sort of shoes you end up wearing far more than expected.

The leaf green shade is fresh but not difficult, especially with white linen, denim, khaki, navy and relaxed holiday pieces. Wear them with or without laces, depending on how casual the day is feeling.

These are the shoes for holidays that involve actual walking. Not just floating about looking picturesque, but markets, cobbled streets, boat trips, airports, beaches, sightseeing and all the wonderful muddle of summer travel.

Perfect for:
Airport travel, sightseeing, sailing, beach walks, city breaks, family holidays, active days and exploring somewhere new.

Pair with:
White linen trousers, khaki shorts, denim cut-offs, relaxed cotton dresses, wide-leg trousers, simple T-shirts, sweatshirts and beach bags.

Packing tip:
Wear your bulkiest shoes to travel. These are still light, but if you are taking plimsolls, wear them on the plane and save suitcase space for prettier things.

How To Choose Shoes For A Summer Holiday

The best holiday shoes are the ones that work hard without looking like they are trying.

Start with where you are going. A beach holiday needs sliders, sandals and easy espadrilles. A city break needs plimsolls or secure flats for walking. A villa holiday can take a little more prettiness. A cruise or smart hotel stay may call for pumps, espadrilles and a metallic sandal tucked in for evening.

Then think about colour. Navy, vanilla, pink, orange and leaf green might sound like a lot, but holiday dressing is kinder than normal life. White linen, denim, cotton, raffia and sun-kissed skin make colour easier to wear.

And finally, be honest about comfort. Holiday shoes need to cope with heat, walking, standing, wandering and the occasional questionable pavement. If they pinch at home, they will not become magically kind in Majorca.

Mandarina’s Holiday Shoe Rules

• Pack shoes you can actually walk in.
• Take one pair that slips on easily.
• Choose one colour that makes you happy.
• Never underestimate a good espadrille.
• A pretty flat is often more useful than a high heel.
• Plimsolls are essential if exploring is involved.
• If a shoe works with denim, linen and a summer dress, it has earned its place in your suitcase.

Shop Mandarina’s Summer Holiday Shoes

From sailor stripe espadrilles and vanilla crochet slip-ons to pink espadrille sandals, ruffle sliders, starry pumps and leaf green plimsolls, Mandarina’s summer holiday shoes are made for sunshine, colour, comfort and beautifully packed suitcases.

Shoes for wandering. Shoes for lunches. Shoes for pool days. Shoes for beach bars. Shoes for holidays that begin at the airport and end with sandy toes.

Be Mandarina. Buy Mandarina.