Our shoes and handbag expert, Sandra Hagelstam, explores the appeal of Hermès's hyped Chypre sandal
As autumn creeps in and the anticipated boots weather slowly takes over my closet, a somewhat unexpected style dominates on the shoe front. Surprising in terms of season, usually, I would be knee-deep in my knee-high boots by now, but this time I am keen to drag out the use of my favourite sandals for as long as physically possible. I am, of course, talking about the Hermès Chypre sandals. A sandal that seems to have captured a nation of wide-leg trouser-loving, ribbed tank-wearing millennials like me.
The chunky Hermes Chypre sandals have been riding the viral wave for the last two years and have grown so popular that some compare finding a pair to scoring a Birkin bag. While the sandals aren’t exactly a waitlist item, you won’t find them on the shop floor due to the high demand. I have personally managed to ‘get lucky’ three times in the past year, following the unwritten rule that if you find a pair, you buy them. They won’t be around for long.
Photo: Sandra Hagelstam
Launched for men as the masculine equivalent to the more delicate ‘Oran’ slipper that is undoubtedly Hermès's best-selling shoe, the appeal of the Chypre is a combination of many things, with comfort being the main driving factor. From serving me loyally as the most convenient travel shoe to dressing down my suits for daytime, there haven’t been many situations in recent months where my Hermès sandals wouldn’t feel like the overwhelmingly best choice to slip into.
Influencer Tamara Kalinic credits the comfort as the main reason she’s grown her collection to four pairs, adding that the shearling lined ones are “especially” comfortable. “The fascination lies in a type of masculine vibe that the sandals have”, Tamara says, continuing to explain that the Chypre is the perfect combination of a slide and the much popular dad sandal. If the pandemic years taught us anything, Birkenstock-type sandals truly go with everything, as comfort took the main priority in our wardrobes.
Tamara Kalinic in her Hermès Chypre sandals. Photo: Tamara Kalinic
Renia Jaz's bright orange fuzzy Hermès Chypre sandals.
The wide wearability factor of the Chypre sandals is something fellow content creator Renia Jaz finds particularly fascinating. The combination of seasonal colour releases and the limited availability is why Renia says they are like the holy grail of sandals – not to mention the brand's undeniable attention to long-lasting quality and detail.
One thing that both Tamara and Renia, as well as I, agree on is the appreciation for Hermès's ability to create such a desirable shoe without purely counting on exclusivity through the price tag. Sure, €550 for a pair of sandals is not exactly a bargain, but notably less than what Chanel's equivalent retails for. However, with an exclusivity factor that only someone like Hermès has managed to build up, getting your hands (or feet) on a pair of sought-after sandals that fits right into the rotation of your wardrobe - the fascination remains unmatched.