Summer footwear can be impractical at best, and uninspired at worst.
While flip-flops and slides may work for some, sporting them on your busy morning commute unnecessarily exposes poor feet to potential trampling or – for the particularly unlucky – a passerby’s catching your heel, resulting in shoes and belongings flying between gaping tube gaps. Nobody wants to flag down a member of TFL staff at 7am to retrieve a lost sole.
The answer lies not in closed-toe, supportive shoes all summer long, but rather a pair or two of elevated and protective platform sandals. Incredibly popular in the 1990s and early 2000s, platform sandals ranged from the subtle to sky-high and were crafted from leather, suede and that classic jelly-style, waterproof plastic.
The reimagining of vintage styles has continued into 2025, with luxury and high-street brands alike showcasing a selection of platform sandals including Chloe’s clog-style wedges, Chanel’s classic black velvet sandals and even FitFlop’s rather high-end platform collaboration with Roksanda.
Whether you like it or not, uber-comfortable, fisherman-style jelly sandals are once again experiencing a veritable revival and are being paired with everything from rompers to flowing floral dresses. Practical as ever, they’re waterproof, don’t require the same break-in period as a pair of leather platform sandals, and are perfect for looking chic on beach holidays.
We’ve curated an edit of the best platform sandals that are a cut above the rest for elevated spring/summer style.
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Camper Tasha Black Leather Sandals
Once known solely for outdoorsy shoe styles, Camper has gone from strength to strength in recent years – showcasing high fashion, comfortable and innovative designs across the board. These are our top picks for platform sandals this season.
They feature a bold yet supportive anatomic footbed, a lightweight outsole and soft padded uppers. The straps, meanwhile, are made from soft yet durable leather and are required with adjustable, supportive buckles.
Buy now £130.00, Camper
Dr Martens Dunnet Flower Buttersoft Leather Sandals
This vintage style of Dr Marten platform sandals was so sought after at thrift stores and bargain bins that the iconic footwear brand decided to re-release it in various modern colourways. The subtle black suede sandal with its adorable sunflower motif is our personal favourite and has inherently late 90s/early 00s aesthetics.
Buy now £150.00, Dr Martens
Vagabond Courtney Sandals
No one does chic, leather and all-black platform footwear quite like Vagabond. We’re head over heels for this pair of relatively budget-friendly platforms from the Swedish shoemaker, featuring dainty leather straps, buckle fastenings and padded insoles.
Buy now £90.00, Vagabond
Bimba y Lola Leopard Print Leather Platform Sandal
Lovers of statement leopard print will rejoice for this comfortable, slip-on pair of platforms by Bimba y Lola, which have been designed to help elevate monochromatic spring/summer outfits in more ways than one.
Buy now £165.00, Bimba y Lola
Coach Sculpted C Platform Flip Flop
Had you told us these platforms were a re-release of an early 2000s style by Coach, we would have believed you. Wonderfully nostalgic and surprisingly comfortable, this retro-inspired pair of kicks feature tonal sculpted C hardware, a padded footbed and a rubber outsole for added traction.
Buy now £125.00, Coach
Free People Hazel Flatform Sandals
Statement burgundy sandals never go amiss. We love this strappy pair from Free People, which features a toe-loop design that has proven increasingly popular for 2025.
Buy now £118.00, Free People
Chloé Maxime Leather Slingback Platform Wedge Sandals
Bold and sky-high, these clog-inspired summer platforms by Chloé are emblazoned with carved doodles which celebrate the legacy of the fashion house. We love the extra thick criss-cross-straps, which are further supported by a buckle at the ankle.
Buy now £925.00, Net-A-Porter
Melissa Megan Fisherman Heels
You heard it here first, folks. Jelly sandals are back and better than ever. This pair of extra chunky fisherman-style platforms from Melissa are available in bright red, white, pink or black depending on how bold of a spring/summer look you’re going for.
Buy now £118.00, Free People
FitFlop x Roksanda Sandals
Combining avant-garde fashion with height, volume and high-tech ergonomics, Roksanda has given the classic F-Mode Stack sandal by FitFlop a makeover. Launched at the brand’s SS25 London Fashion Week show, Roksanda pairs the architectural three-layer sole with a simple high-topline upper and strong colour-blocking for effortless style. Grab yours before they’re all gone.
Buy now £136.00, FitFlop
Dune Leather Open Toe Platform Sandals
Chic, sleek and oh-so-90s, these premium leather sandals from Dune feature an impressive 8cm platform feel. High-octane, comfortable and professional enough to wear to the office, these are set to be a summertime staple.
Buy now £99.00, Dune
