Discover our carefully curated selection of secondhand sandals: flat and heeled sandals, strappy evening styles, gladiator constructions, platform sandals and rare archive pieces from the world's most celebrated houses. Every piece is hand-evaluated by our team on avenue Louise and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Because the great sandal is not simply warm-weather footwear — it is the shoe that reveals the foot most completely and demands the most precise design intelligence to do so beautifully.
The sandal in fashion history: from ancient tradition to contemporary icon
The sandal is humanity's oldest shoe — predating every other form of footwear by millennia — and its persistence across thousands of years of civilisation testifies to a formal logic so fundamental that no subsequent shoe development has entirely displaced it. The sandal reveals the foot rather than concealing it, and this revelatory quality has made it simultaneously the most intimate and the most design-demanding of all shoe categories: every strap placement, every heel proportion, every choice of hardware or closure must be considered in direct relation to the foot's own form rather than hidden within an enclosed upper.
In the 20th century, the sandal's transformation from beach and resort accessory to genuine fashion object happened gradually and then suddenly. Roger Vivier's extraordinary jewelled evening sandals of the 1950s demonstrated that the category was capable of carrying the most ambitious decorative programme of any footwear type. The Birkenstock's adoption by the fashion world in the 1990s and 2000s proposed a radically different sandal philosophy — functional, orthopedically informed, deliberately anti-glamorous — that attracted designers from Valentino (who embellished the Birkenstock silhouette with studs and beading) to Dior and Gucci (who reinterpreted its proportions in premium leather). And the strappy heel sandal — from Manolo Blahnik's Choos-challenging Chaos to Aquazzura's elaborate multi-strap constructions to The Attico's block-heel evening styles — established the sandal as equally capable of evening glamour as the most elaborate pump.
Our sandals categories
Flat and minimal sandals
The flat sandal — whether in a single-strap slide configuration, a more elaborate multi-strap construction or the ancient inspiration of the gladiator silhouette — is at its finest in the hands of designers who understand how to use strap placement and proportional intelligence to flatter the foot without elevation. Hermès's Oran sandal (a minimal double-H buckle flat in premium leather), ancient-inspired gladiator sandals from the Italian houses, and the considered flat sandal designs of Lemaire and The Row define the most refined tier of this category.
Heeled and evening sandals
The heeled sandal — strappy, minimal or elaborately constructed, with heel heights ranging from a modest block to the most extreme stiletto — is fashion's most versatile evening footwear category. Archive Manolo Blahnik strappy evening sandals, The Attico's block-heel styles, Valentino Rockstud sandals in nude leather, and the embellished evening sandals of the great couture houses define the most glamorous tier of our selection.
Platform sandals
The platform sandal — offering height through a raised sole construction rather than a heel — has been a recurring fashion proposition from the 1970s plateau sandals through to the contemporary chunky-sole constructions of Bottega Veneta, Gucci and Loewe. Archive platform sandals from the great Italian houses of the 1970s are particularly collectible.
Sport and functional luxury sandals
The Birkenstock-influenced luxury sandal — elevated through premium leather, precious hardware or the application of a luxury house's design vocabulary to the functional footbed construction — represents a growing category in contemporary luxury footwear. Archive examples from Valentino, Dior and Givenchy demonstrate the breadth of design interpretation this surprisingly versatile format has attracted.
How to evaluate a vintage sandal
Evaluating a vintage sandal requires attention to several combined criteria. Here are the 7 checkpoints we systematically verify in our atelier on avenue Louise.
1. The label and authentication
Every sandal carries a verified attribution on the footbed or insole, with any hardware-specific authentication markers assessed against our database.
2. The leather strap condition
The leather straps of a sandal are its primary structural and aesthetic component. We assess suppleness, any cracking at stress points (particularly at buckle holes and strap folds), evenness of colour and the quality of any edge finishing. Straps that have become rigid, cracked or significantly stretched from previous wear require disclosure.
3. The footbed and insole condition
The footbed of a sandal shows the imprint of previous wear more visibly than any equivalent component of an enclosed shoe. We assess the condition of the footbed leather or material, any imprinting from previous wear, and whether the footbed remains structurally intact.
4. The sole condition
We assess outer sole wear pattern, any delamination from the midsole or platform, and the condition of any platform or wedge construction for structural integrity.
5. The hardware condition
Buckles, rings, studs and decorative hardware are assessed for condition, plating integrity and functionality. A buckle that doesn't function correctly or hardware that has significantly tarnished or peeled requires disclosure.
6. The heel condition (for heeled sandals)
Heel condition — tip condition, structural integrity and any lean — is assessed as for other heeled footwear categories.
7. The overall condition and wearability
We assess and grade the overall condition honestly, with particular attention to any footbed imprinting from previous wear that might affect comfort or fit for a new owner.
Our method: at Les Enfants d'Édouard, every sandal undergoes a three-stage examination — visual inspection, technical verification (authentication, straps, footbed, sole, hardware) and wearability assessment. Every authenticated piece comes with our certificate of authenticity.
Size guide for vintage sandals
| EU | IT | UK | US | Foot length (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 35 | 2.5 | 5 | 22.5 |
| 36 | 36 | 3.5 | 6 | 23.0 |
| 37 | 37 | 4.5 | 7 | 23.5 |
| 38 | 38 | 5.5 | 8 | 24.0 |
| 39 | 39 | 6.5 | 9 | 24.5 |
| 40 | 40 | 7.5 | 10 | 25.5 |
| 41 | 41 | 8.5 | 11 | 26.0 |
Sizing notes for vintage sandals
Sandal sizing can vary more significantly than enclosed shoe sizing depending on construction. Adjustable strap sandals offer more fit flexibility than fixed-strap designs. Strappy heeled sandals typically run half a size smaller than the wearer's regular pump size, as straps extend length. Flat sandals with open toe construction often accommodate a slightly longer foot than the marked size suggests. Always check the footbed length measurement against your foot length for the most accurate fit assessment.
Why invest in vintage sandals
Vintage sandals represent some of the most accessible price points in the luxury shoe secondary market, while offering access to the most exquisite craft and material work of the great Italian and French houses. A pair of archive Hermès Oran sandals in natural leather, archive Manolo Blahnik strappy evening sandals in satin, or Valentino Rockstud sandals from the first seasons in nude leather — each represents a design object of genuine significance at secondary market prices that reflect the category's relatively lower profile compared to boots or pumps. That relative undervaluation is precisely what makes vintage sandals a compelling acquisition.
For those wishing to sell vintage sandals, we offer an expert consignment service.
Our sandals selection in Brussels, avenue Louise
Our boutique Les Enfants d'Édouard, 175 avenue Louise, 1050 Brussels, carries a curated selection of vintage sandals. We welcome you Tuesday to Saturday and offer private appointments outside regular opening hours.
Care and maintenance of vintage sandals
For leather sandals, clean straps with a soft, slightly damp cloth and condition periodically. Pay particular attention to buckle holes and strap fold points, which are most vulnerable to cracking. Store with the straps fastened to maintain their shape.
For suede sandals, brush after each wear and treat with suede protector spray before first use. Avoid moisture, which is particularly damaging to suede in a sandal format where the footbed may absorb perspiration.
For embellished sandals, handle decorative elements carefully and store individually in dust bags or boxes to prevent embellishment from catching on other items.
Frequently asked questions about vintage sandals
Which vintage sandals are most sought-after?
Hermès Oran flat sandals in natural leather, Manolo Blahnik strappy evening sandals in satin and leather, Valentino Rockstud sandals in nude leather from the first seasons (2010–2013), The Attico block-heel evening sandals, Gucci logo-strap platform sandals, and any documented archive sandals from the great Italian and French houses in exceptional embellished or couture-level construction.
What warranty do you offer on vintage sandals?
Every piece sold by Les Enfants d'Édouard is guaranteed as described, with a certificate of authenticity for signed pieces and 14 days to return (return shipping costs excluded).
Discover also
- Mules: the modern slip-on
- Ballet flats: the considered flat
- Pumps: from stiletto to block heel
- Loafers: the considered slip-on
- All our shoes: our complete footwear selection
- Journal: our guides and advice
Looking for vintage sandals?
Browse our full sandals selection or book an appointment with our team for a private viewing on avenue Louise.
- ✓ Guaranteed authentication: every piece certified
- ✓ Secure delivery: Belgium, France, Europe
- ✓ 14-day returns: satisfaction guaranteed
- ✓ Boutique at 175 Avenue Louise: 1050 Brussels