Keep Your Designer Sandals—Zara's Sister Brand Has the Chicest Pairs Around
If you've ever wandered down London's busiest shopping streets, or shopped in one of Spain's bigger cities, you've probably heard of Massimo Dutti. Otherwise, the brand is still relatively under the radar, despite opening its first UK store back in 2002. Owned by the same company as Zara, it's somewhat of a big sister brand to the ubiquitous high-street hero. At Massimo, you'll find more premium designs, better quality and, yes, higher price points. But the offering, despite still following a relatively fast fashion cycle, feels wholly more timeless. In fact, I still have beloved Massimo Dutti items in my closet that I got on holidays in Marbella ten years ago.
As a London-based stylist with classic (read: expensive) taste, I've had Massimo Dutti on my radar for a long time, but for 2023 my love for the brand's designer-looking buys has reached the point of obsession. As fashion editors at Who What Wear, you can imagine we see a lot of great brands in our working day, but it's Massimo's new-in section that I check religiously.
Maybe the recent pique in my interest has something to do with the rise in popularity of "quiet luxury"— an anti-trend that is basically an appreciation of luxurious minimalist style (something I've been a fan of for a lot longer than this viral moment). With more of these polished looks around, on celebrities (Sofia Richie, we see you) and fashion people alike, which mostly revolve around high-end luxury buys, I've come to reappreciate Massimo Dutti and its more affordable take on these pieces.
As you can probably tell, I'm a fan of everything the brand does, from the elevated dresses to the relaxed tailoring. But right now, I'm having trouble choosing between the array of seriously incredible sandals. For the past few summers, I've saved up and invested in a more expensive luxury pair of sandals to add to my summer capsule, but since I wear them on repeat every day for at least six months of the year, no matter the price point they still tend to wear away and start looking tired a few summers in. So, this year, with the costs of everything else rising, I'm forgoing my usual designer investment and, instead, have allowed myself one pair of Massimo Dutti sandals (okay, maybe two).
The question is, Which ones? The minimalistic leather flip-flops will go with everything, but this metallic detail dark brown strappy style will make every outfit look more polished. Taylor Swift is making me want these chunkier double-strap sandals, and since I haven't yet been able to stretch to The Row's infamous fisherman sandals yet, I'm also swayed by this more affordable iteration that equals them in cool factor.
Scroll on to see all these pairs, and more of Massimo Dutti's gorgeous leather sandals for summer 2023. May you have more luck deciding on your favourite pair than me.
Shop the Best Massimo Dutti Sandals
Up Next: The 9 Most Expensive-Looking Pieces on the High Street This Week
Emily Dawes is an editor, stylist and writer with over 12 years in the industry. Known for impeccable taste, our readers trust her advice, especially in her top-selling column, expensive-looking high street buys. Working for Who What Wear UK since 2020, Emily has been a contributing editor, branded content editor and affiliate editor. Now, as senior shopping editor, she leads the e-commerce content strategy. After obtaining a BA in English and American Studies from Nottingham University, Emily interned at The Mail on Sunday’s YOU. As the magazine’s fashion editor, she managed the fashion team and travelled the globe to style and direct fashion editorials and celebrity cover shoots. As a freelancer, she styled Grazia cover shoots, developed brand marketing and content plans and worked with VIP clients including Elizabeth Day.
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