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12 best wedges

More glam than flats, but with more wear-all-day potential than heels, they’re the perfect summer compromise

Thursday 25 June 2015 16:03 BST

If you like espadrilles for summer but prefer a bit of a height, there are plenty of wedges to meet you halfway. We’ve scoured the latest arrivals, from Michael Kors to New Look, picking different styles including the classic raffia, statement prints, white rubber and even wood-effect.

1. Wide Strap Flatform Sandal: £18, matalan.co.uk

Matalan is known for its affordable fashion and, for under £20, we think these sandals are a winner. They’ve got a chunky white wedge – the high platform gives a flatform effect - and thick straps. Tan and silver versions will be available online in July.

2. Pierre Hardy Two-Tone Leather Wedge Sandals: £306, theoutnet.com

Online luxury outlet The Outnet lets you get your hands on a pair of designer wedges for less than half the price. These leather wedges from the French shoe designer come in timeless monochrome stripes and will last you for years.

3. Wide Strap Leather Wedges: £69, stories.com

These metallic numbers are our minimalist choice. Shiny silver extra-wide straps combined with a matte white rubber sole give a slightly space-age feel, though they come in black, too, if the metallic isn’t your cup of tea. They fasten with Velcro at the ankle and have a cushioned leather footbed for extra comfort.

4. Brown Suede High Wedges: £50, riverisland.com

These ones in on-trend (those Seventies again) suede are classic enough to carry through summers to come and will go with anything. The raffia heel is quite high (14cm), but the thick platform makes them more manageable to walk in and we love the little gold details on the straps.

5. Shoe Box Rachel Espadrille Fashion Wedge: £20, very.co.uk

These ones are for the animal print fans. They are comfortable, not too high (about 4 inches) to be worn all day and have raffia wedges for a beach feel, dressed up with gold buckle details.

6. Lula: £450, sophiawebster.com

If you prefer a quirky style, London’s hottest shoe-girl is known for combining bold patterns with bright colours. If you’ve got the budget, we’d go for these turquoise and lime statement aztec-print wedges, with black and orange beading on the straps and monochrome stripes on the footbed. The heel is quite high (140mm) but the platform makes them easier to walk on.

7. Wide Fit Black Lace Up Peeptoe Cork: £24.99, newlook.com

If you struggle to find on-trend shoes for wider feet then these black wedges might be the answer to your footwear problems this season. They offer more coverage than many others we’ve seen (great for those slightly iffy weather days) and are sling-back and lace-up at the front. The cork wedge has raffia detailing round the bottom and the laces have tassels and small gold beads for a more fashion-forward look.

8. Michael Kors Giovanna Red Leather Wedge Sandals: £130, harveynichols.com

The American designer has built a fashion empire based on affordable luxury. Invest in his Giovanna sandals to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe. The espadrille-style heels (complete with gold logo) make them summer-ready for beach holidays or city strolls.

9. Valenciana Neon Pink Espadrille: £139, penelopechilvers.com

This Spanish label has a big following on these shores, with famous fans including the Duchess of Cambridge and Alexa Chung. Add a splash of colour to your summer wardrobe with its neon pink wedges. They’ve got a jute sole, contrast woven sling-backs and nude ribbons that wrap around the ankle and are available in neon yellow, too.

10. Karina Wedge: £59, jonesbootmaker.com

If you prefer to cover your toes then these espadrille wedges are a winner. They’re more affordable then the Penelope Chilvers style and, well, not quite as bold. Denim is hot this season and, with the metallic strap, these are a combo made in fashion heaven. They’ve got leather lining and a fair-height heel for extra comfort and are also available in black and rose gold.

11. Hippy Wedge Sandal: £30, topshop.com

The Seventies are a big theme in the fashion world this season. Embrace the hippie decade’s flower power with these daisy print wedges. The heel height is perfect for walking about and they come in plain black if you don’t fancy the print.

12. Quella: £69.95, modainpelle.com

This crossover style is padded for extra comfort and the wedge is finished with a clean, wooden effect. The colour combination of the tan leather with the gold sling-back strap will go with your entire wardrobe and they come in black and white, too.

Verdict:

River Island’s real suede numbers are a great option to match all your looks this season (and next year, too), but New Look’s black lace-up peep-toes are an on-trend option for wider feet — and they’re a bargain. If designer labels are your thing, Sophia Webster’s aztec print design make a statement, while Michael Kors’ red leather straps are a timeless piece.