If it’s starting to sound like I feel Bottega Veneta can do no wrong, then it’s probably because I do! More like I’ll believe it when I see it. For example, these curvaceous wedges prove that Bottega can strip down their famously sought-after weave to a simple layered texture and still bring leather to breathtaking levels. Show me how many other design houses can do that!
Putting your foot at a rather extreme 4”-high angle, these keenly sculpted sandals are all about looks, nuanced and refined, and not particularly about comfort. That pitch won’t be too pleasing unless you’re really knocking back the cocktails. This are a car-to-restaurant table shoe (or perhaps a reclining-on-a-chaise-lounge sandal), but I’ve also seen far worse. For those with the gumption, the shape doesn’t get sexier than this. Or more versatile, from gauzy resort sundresses to structured evening looks. Concise rows and pared down strips of perfectly cut and tailored black straps mold your foot into the way you wish it would look all the time. At Saks Fifth Avenue for $940.
Pair with: Raffia and leather is a winning cruise combination, especially when that woven raffia comes in unexpected herringbone. Burberry’s wristlet-adorned clutch is a playful take on the classic pattern. Burberry Ada Herringbone Raffia Clutch, $750.
