Soft Landing: 8 Marmite sandals you’d slowly, begrudgingly, fall in love with

Marmite Level: High

Gucci’s Elea platforms are archetypical Marmite — you’d either love them or not ‘get’ them; no stragglers in Switzerland. They give a bit of height, they’re a little bougie in black rubber grained to mimic leather, they’re perforated at the vamp — not in little circles à la the OG of Marmite shoes (see: entry #4), but fancy ‘GG’ motifs.

We’re stepping out in these and a billowy trapeze sundress, volume turned all the way up.

Marmite Level: High, but tempered by a pretty detail

Cottagecore is alive, well and thriving, thank you very much. These Loeffler Randall clogs — shaped and perforated in a very familiar format — are made individual with extremely seasonally-appropriate gingham straps; a perfect complement to picnic blankets and baskets and pretty off-shoulder prairie tops, preferably trimmed in broderie anglaise. Throw in a raffia sunhat too.

Toggle the patterned strap from sports mode (i.e., up front) to adventure mode (i.e., slinged back) depending on the intensity of your preferred activity. A leisurely roam by the waterfront? The former. A harried sprint through Tamar Park? Very much the latter.

Marmite Level: Spread it on toast — it’s peak Marmite

Daniel Lee’s Bottega Veneta has left us drooling after squared-toe sandals, pillowy clutches and big, bad gold chains. So, we won’t hold it against him for making us yearn for these rainy-day clogs, too, which are aptly named ‘Puddle’. Cute.

We’re big fans of the bubblegum-pink colourway that would look plenty fire in an all-black outfit pulled from the racks of The Row.

Marmite Level: Extreme, but respect the hustle.

We’ve reached the OG of Marmite footwear — welcome. You’re in a safe space, it’s a no judgement zone. These Crocs are, arguably, made exponentially more Marmite with their jelly-like translucency, which prompts a second Marmite-y question: Socks or no socks? Why do toes framed behind transparent rubber feel, somehow, more exposed than going barefoot?

So, remind us to add funky patterned socks alongside approximately a million Jibbitz™ charms to our carts; we’re going to need options.

Marmite Level: Average

If you’re a fan of Demna Gvasalia’s Balenciaga, you’re a permanent resident of Marmite City. You love it. You get it. These Mono platform slides are, in all honesty, pretty tame for the brand. They’re a little ’90s, a little chunky, a little branded — and cast in a very this-season shade of turquoise. We’d wear them by the pool with frilly maillots and, then, wear them out to lunch in baggy denim. They’re versatile!

Marmite Level: Low for fans of Birkenstock. Otherwise, average.

The normcore signature has been a capital-F fashion shoe for quite a while. It’s had collaborations with Proenza Schouler; with Rick Owens; with Stüssy; and for 2021, with Toogood, a London-based design studio that headlines on those amazing Roly Poly chairs you’ve been lusting after on Instagram.

This Forager pair is double-strapped in true Birkenstock form, but instead of leather or Birko Flor® (the brand’s own leather alternative) these are crafted from soft, heathered felt. A home-inspired shoe through and through.

Marmite Level: Medium-rare

These Aquazurra sandals are named ‘Relax’ for a reason — there are no hard feelings, no hard times and no hard work allowed when your toes are ensconced in these. Naturally.

It’s a creamy pair to invest in if you’ve ever wanted to walk on clouds — these sandals are made in Italy from fluffy shearling, but please, use your imagination — and an especially great compromise if you really, truly cannot detach your feet from the cocooning comforts of your favourite house slippers.

Marmite Level: Pretty low!

It’s its rounded, clog-like shape that bolstered this Porte & Paire x Frankie Shop pair onto this list of Marmite options, but to be frank: These are quite the sleek ones. You can easily sneak these slippers into the footwear rotation of even the most reticent shopper — what, with its deliciously supple leather and very elegant shape, it really won’t take much convincing.