Everyone is Talking About This Barely-There Sandal Brand

The hunt for a simple flat sandal is deceptively hard. Many on the market are too beachy, too cheeky, poor fitting, or flat out boring. And often times, they're also too expensive. But as with all-too-common origin stories for brands these days, Studio Amelia founder, Emily Amelia Inglis, found herself on the hunt for simple sandals that don't cost a fortune, couldn't find a pair, so she made them herself. Enter: the fashion industry's newest obsession.

Studio Amelia 1.1 Sandals by Studio Amelia

$250 at Moda Operandi

Credit: Courtesy

Though Studio Amelia doesn't boast a hefty social media presence (yet), buyers everywhere are touting it as the next big thing in minimalist footwear. "Understated and versatile, this newly launched brand has mastered the city sandal," says Lisa Aiken, ModaOperandi's fashion director. The 'city sandal' designation couldn't be more apt: Studio Amelia shoes effortlessly transition from the beach to an evening out—take for example how they were styled with a feathered cocktail dress at Michael Lo Sordo's runway show. "For weekday or weekend, there couldn’t be a more effortless pair to invest in," says Aiken.

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Studio Amelia’s footwear on the Michael Lo Sordo resort runway in May 2019.

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For Studio Amelia, it's all about nailing the perfect silhouette. Since their launch in 2018, the brand has only produced four styles in limited color ways. The tight edit of sandals represents the best there is to offer, not a Cheesecake Factory selection of fancy footwear. Hollie Harding, Brown's womenswear buying manager of non-apparel, agrees. "The simplicity and quality is what make them chic," she says. "They stand out because of the way the straps on the four styles are placed and how iconic yet simple they are."

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Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again. When she isn’t approaching style through a modern, accessible lens, she’s scouring eBay for vintage Levi’s and pretending she knows how to surf. Before joining ELLE.com in 2015 she worked as a freelance writer and stylist in New York City.