Hermès Oran Sandals vs. Saint Laurent: Which one should you buy?

Hermès Oran sandals embody timeless, understated luxury with a focus on artisanal craftsmanship and a significantly higher price point. In contrast, footwear from Saint Laurent delivers a modern, edgy aesthetic with a more fashion-forward approach, offered at a more accessible luxury price.

Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right designer sandal for your style and budget.

Hermès: The Icon of Timeless Luxury

Hermès is a benchmark for ultra-luxury, built on a foundation of heritage, meticulous craftsmanship, and the highest quality materials. While famous for its Birkin and Kelly bags, the brand’s footwear follows the same principles of understated elegance. The Oran sandal is a perfect example, recognized globally for its minimalist "H" cutout design that signals quiet luxury and sophistication.

• Product mix: Known for the iconic Oran sandal, Hermès also offers other leather footwear like loafers and slides, all featuring clean lines and superior craftsmanship.
• Price point: The Oran sandal typically retails between $700 and $900, positioning it as an investment piece in a footwear collection. Prices rarely, if ever, see discounts.
• Quality: Made from premium leathers like Box Calfskin, Epsom, or Togo, the construction features precise, hand-finished details. They are designed for longevity and age beautifully with proper care.
• Sizing/Fit: Generally runs true to size with a slightly narrow fit. Individuals with wider feet might consider sizing up or trying them on in-store for the best fit.

Hermès Oran sandals are for those who value heritage craftsmanship and a piece that will remain stylish for decades, representing a true long-term wardrobe addition.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Saint Laurent: The Voice of Modern Parisian Chic

Saint Laurent champions a modern, rock-inspired edge that sets it apart in the luxury world. Its designs are sleek, assertive, and often feature the iconic YSL monogram hardware. Saint Laurent's sandal and slide collection offers a distinctly contemporary take on Parisian style, appealing to a trend-conscious customer who wants their luxury to make a statement.

• Product mix: Offers a range of sandals and slides, many featuring the brand's Cassandre "YSL" logo, as well as minimalist leather styles embodying a sleek, modern vibe.
• Price point: Generally priced between $500 and $700. While still a luxury purchase, this price is more accessible than Hermès and you can occasionally find styles on sale during seasonal promotions.
• Quality: Utilizes high-quality calfskin and lambskin leathers with solid construction. The focus is on a sleek finish and current aesthetics rather than traditional, timeless hand-finishing.
• Sizing/Fit: Fits true to size for the most part, but like many European designer brands, some styles can be on the narrower side. The fit is generally consistent across the collection.

Saint Laurent footwear is a great choice for fashion-forward shoppers looking for a high-quality luxury sandal that aligns with current trends and adds a bold touch to their look.

Shop Saint Laurent: ysl.com

Hermès vs. Saint Laurent Comparison

Price Comparison

There is a clear difference in price between these two brands. Hermès occupies the ultra-luxury tier, with Oran sandals starting around $700 and going up depending on the material. They are rarely discounted and are considered long-term investments due to their excellent resale value.

Saint Laurent is more mid-tier luxury, with sandals usually priced between $500 and $700. The brand also participates in seasonal sales, meaning patient shoppers can often find their desired styles at a reduced price, offering better accessibility for a wider range of luxury customers.

Style & Aesthetic

The core aesthetic difference is classic versus contemporary. The Hermès Oran is defined by its single strap with a minimalist "H" cutout. It's a design that’s been an unchanged favorite for over 25 years, signifying timelessness. The sandal is incredibly versatile, pairing equally well with a summer dress or tailored trousers.

Saint Laurent sandals, alternatively, feel more timely and trend-aware. Styles often prominently feature the interlocking YSL logo, thin straps, and sharper silhouettes. They project a cool, edgy confidence that complements a modern wardrobe and is designed to be noticed.

Quality & Materials

Both brands use excellent materials, but their philosophies on construction differ. Hermès prioritizes artisanal craftsmanship. The leathers are premium, the stitching is impeccable, and the hand-finishing ensures each pair is built to last for many years. They are crafted like fine jewelry for your feet.

Saint Laurent produces high-quality sandals with a focus on style. The construction is solid, and the leathers are soft and durable, but the emphasis is on achieving a sharp, fashion-forward look rather than century-old heritage techniques. They are well-made fashion pieces meant to shine for several seasons.

Fit & Sizing

Both brands generally run true to size but tend to have a slightly narrow profile, which is common for Italian-made footwear. For the Hermès Oran sandal, those with medium-to-wide feet often find sizing up half a size provides more comfort across the "H" strap. Saint Laurent sandals are fairly consistent as well, though specific styles with multiple thin straps might fit differently. For either brand, if you have wider feet, trying them on in person before purchasing is the safest option.

Shopping Experience

Shopping at Hermès is often an event. Boutiques offer a highly personalized and exclusive service, with limited stock emphasizing the rarity of their products. The online experience is elegant but straightforward.

Saint Laurent offers a more conventional modern luxury shopping experience. Their stores are more widely available, and their website is sleek, easy to navigate, and frequently updated with new collections. They make it easy for a global customer to shop their latest designs without barriers.

Sustainability & Ethics

Hermès leans on its heritage of quality sourcing and long-lasting products as its form of sustainability. The brand emphasizes responsible leather sourcing but is not as transparent about its specific eco-initiatives as some modern conglomerates.

As part of the Kering group, Saint Laurent must adhere to robust sustainability targets. This includes commitments to reducing carbon emissions and sourcing more sustainable materials, making their efforts more transparent and publicly documented.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your personal style goals and what you value in a luxury product.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are looking for a true investment piece that will never go out of style.
• You appreciate and are willing to pay for exceptional, time-honored craftsmanship.
• Your style leans toward classic, quiet luxury over bold branding.
• You prioritize long-term durability and resale value.

Choose Saint Laurent if:

• You want a stylish, trend-forward sandal that still has the weight of a major luxury brand.
• You love a more modern, edgy aesthetic and appreciate visible logos.
• You want a high-quality designer option at a more moderate luxury price point.
• You enjoy keeping your wardrobe fresh and aligned with current fashion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hermès or Saint Laurent more expensive?

Hermès is unequivocally more expensive. Oran sandals hover in the $700-$900 range, while Saint Laurent sandals are typically priced at $500-$700 and may be available on sale.

What is the main style difference between them?

The Hermès Oran sandal is the definition of timeless elegance with its minimal "H" strap. Saint Laurent sandals are more modern and edgy, often featuring bold YSL hardware and sleeker, of-the-moment designs.

Do Hermès sandals hold their value?

Yes, the Hermès Oran sandal is considered an investment piece and holds its value remarkably well on the resale market, especially in classic colors like Gold (tan) and Noir (black). The timeless design remains in demand year over year.

Which sandals are more comfortable?

Comfort can be subjective, however, both sandals offer a moderate level of comfort for luxury footwear. Some find the wider strap and molded footbed of new Hermès Orans require a break-in period. They mold beautifully to the feet over time, while Saint Laurent sandals tend to offer a more immediate flexible comfort given they often utilize softer materials such as goatskin and a thinner sole.

Can you find Saint Laurent slides on sale?

Yes. While you won't find them discounted on the main brand website, Saint Laurent is carried by many luxury department stores like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus, which regularly hold seasonal sales where YSL footwear can be found for up to 50% discount if you get lucky with sizes and popular styles.

How does sizing for Hermès Oran sandals run?

They run true to size in length but are known to be slightly narrow across the strap. Many shoppers with average to wide feet opt to go up a half size for more room and comfort.

What materials are used for these sandals?

Hermès primarily uses various premium calf leathers (like Box Calf or Epsom), each offering different levels of texture and durability. Saint Laurent also uses high-quality calfskin and lambskin, focusing on a smooth, sleek finish.

Which brand is better for everyday wear?

Both are popular for everyday wear. The Hermès Oran is arguably a slightly more versatile "go-to" due to its classic design which pairs very easily with any outfit in the spring or summer months. However, the YSL sandal is also a comfortable option that is ideal for those who prefer to add a little bit more pizazz and visible logos to their outfits.