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. 

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(Image credit: Massimo Dutti)

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
Affiliate Editor

Emily Dawes is the very definition of a fashion multi hyphenate. An editor, stylist and writer with over eleven years’ worth of experience in the industry, Emily is known for her impeccable taste, elegant outfit choices and being able to spot the next big thing in fashion from a mile off. Our readers loyally trust her advice and shopping suggestions; so much so she began her own column documenting the most expensive-looking pieces on the high street, which has become a top-performing piece of content for the Who What Wear brand.

Emily has worked for Who What Wear UK since 2020 in a myriad as roles, spanning from contributing editor and branded content editor. Now, she holds the position of affiliate editor and is responsible for the brand’s overall affiliate strategy, ideation and content execution. Working closely with Who What Wear UK’s affiliate manager, Emily has been instrumental in securing and nourishing brand partnerships, surpassing her goals as standard. Leading the team in tentpole shopping moments including Black Friday and Peak Trading, with Emily’s guidance and leadership, team Who What Wear is in a stronger affiliate position than ever before.

Prior to joining the Who What Wear team, Emily served as YOU Magazine’s acting fashion editor where she managed the fashion team and oversaw all fashion content output for the fast-paced weekly title. Emily is a stylist in her own right, having worked with a slew of VIP clients including writer and television personality, Elizabeth Day, as well as styling and art directing several celebrity cover shoots for glossy print publication, Grazia. Her adept fashion knowledge means brands regularly sought out to work with her as a consultant: previously she has developed marketing and content plans for brands for Cocoon and Edge of Ember. Before entering the industry, Emily obtained a Bachelor of Arts in English and American Studies with International Study from Nottingham University. Fun fact: Emily spent a year studying in America which saw her join a sorority during her time there.

When she’s not working or tracking down the chicest, new-in items to share with our audience, you’ll find Emily bestowing her East London home with her stylish flair, reading everything from the classics to cowboy romance novels and escaping to the country with husband, baby boy and dog, Roo, whenever she can.

Emily is currently on maternity leave.