Blog Post

Hermès Platform Sandals: Where Heritage Meets Height

Hermès is not generally known for elevated soles. The house created its footwear legacy on the low, understated refinement of the Oran and the Izmir — footwear defined by flatness and restraint and their deliberate simplicity. The platform version of the Oran represents a different proposition: the same material excellence and the same H-cutout heritage, lifted by a sole that adds height without requiring a raised back. In 2026, the Oran platform versions are frequently cited as among the most coveted shoes in the Hermès footwear range.

For Hermès, a elevated sole is not a trend piece in the way it might be for a trend-forward contemporary brand. Instead, it is an continuation of the same design philosophy that governs all Hermès footwear: visual proportion, hide quality, and how the shoe relates to the wearer. The elevation provides height without drama, and it accomplishes this with the same hide quality and build integrity that characterize the standard sandals.

Available Platform Heights: Silhouette Variations

The Hermès raised sandal collection includes a range of different versions, varying in height and silhouette. The most widely chosen option features a modest platform sole of approximately 30–40mm — enough to add visible height and a contemporary silhouette without reaching the level of a dramatic platform. This intermediate elevation is effective for a wide range of silhouettes and body types, delivering height and visual weight without the comfort limitations of a more extreme platform.

More elevated models — around 60 to 80 millimetres — are available in smaller numbers and are generally produced as special or limited editions rather than ongoing catalog entries. These versions make a more emphatic visual statement and demand more thoughtful pairing. They pair best with fluid, movement-rich silhouettes — wide-leg trousers, maxi skirts, or floor-length dresses — where the elevation contrasts with significant clothing volume rather than placed alongside slim, fitted clothing.

Platform Oran Leather and Color Options: Available in Platform

The Hermès platform sandal comes in the same leather range as the flat versions — Epsom and Swift are the hermes santorini sandals most consistently available options. Epsom is the dominant leather choice for platform versions because the structure of Epsom leather works well against the physical weight of an elevated sole. In terms of color, the raised Oran mirrors the same color scheduling as the non-elevated version but with a narrower palette — not every color available in the flat version appears in the platform version for every seasonal release. The most consistently available platform colors mirror the most popular flat Oran shades: the core Hermès neutrals including Gold, Noir, and Étoupe.

Styling the Platform Oran: The Best Outfit Pairings

The platform Oran operates in a distinct styling register than the flat Oran. Where the non-elevated Oran works as a restrained conclusion at the end of an outfit, the platform version is more visually present — it highlights the foot and lower leg more directly, creates lift and visual weight, and engages more intentionally with what sits above it. The most proven styling principle uses uncluttered, elongated lines: generous-cut or wide-leg pants that fall to just above the platform, longer-hemmed skirts that reveal the raised sole at the hem, or brief hemlines and shorts where the complete profile of the raised sandal can be seen.

For evening contexts, the platform version works as an actual substitute to traditional heeled shoes — it delivers elevation and event-ready presence without the wearing difficulty of traditional heels, perfect for occasions demanding hours on your feet. According to Vogue‘s fashion reporting in 2026, high-end platform footwear continue to be consistently among the most sought-after shoe types.