Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex wears Herms Oran sandals

Unlike designer handbags, of which there are many that have reached icon status – able to retain both their popularity and their value, year after year – there are only a few shoe styles that fall into this camp. Chanel ballet pumps, the Manolo Blahnik Hangisi and Gucci Horsebit loafers spring to mind, as well as the Hermès Oran, a sandal that remains just as covetable 25 years after it first launched.

The Oran is a leather slider sandal, which is immediately recognisable, thanks to the ‘H’ shape of the strap. It was first launched in 1997 by Pierre Hardy as part of the house’s Africa-inspired spring collection, and it was named the ‘Oran’ after the Algerian city.

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This is a sandal with true staying power. In the 25 years since it first launched, the popularity of the Oran sandal has hardly dipped at all. It is now soaring in demand on luxury resale sites, and remains one of Hermès’ most recognisable and successful products. As a house responsible for the Birkin bag, that is saying something.

There are three clear factors that have made the shoe such an enduring success: the high-quality and comfortable fit of the Oran, the simplicity of the design (it is able to transcend trends and proves a versatile shoe that can be styled with pretty much anything) but, despite all this, it is a totally unique style. While the Oran sandal does not shout or stand out as a particularly statement-making accessory, it is still distinctive – and anyone in-the-know can immediately identify it.

The sandal is not just beloved by fashion editors and influencers the world over, but is a real celebrity favourite. The shoes have been worn by everyone from Eva Longoria and Alessandra Ambrosio to Sofia Richie (who owns multiple pairs in a number of different colourways). And, the Duchess of Sussex has the style in a number of colours.

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Last year, Meghan was pictured heading out for lunch on Mother’s Day with husband Harry and a few A-list friends. She wore the sandals in the ‘Gold’ colourway (which is actually more of a light brown). The shoe proved the perfect accompaniment to the chocolate brown summer dress she wore, which was designed by Heidi Merrick. And, more recently, she was spotted wearing a pair in a cream hue, which she teamed with a button-up shirt and loose-fitting, high-waisted trousers.

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If you have been convinced to nab yourself a pair of Hermès Orans, the royal and A-list-approved ultimate investment summer sandal, then your next decision is which colour to go for. Hermès is currently selling the sandal in 28 different hues, and there are often one-off, exclusive shades to look out for, many of which are available on some of our favourite designer resale sites, along with the more classic styles. Above, shop our edit of the best Oran sandals to invest in this summer, and head here to check out every single colourway currently available at Hermès.

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