Movado Sandals vs. Hermès: Which brand should you buy?

While known for Swiss watchmaking, Movado’s footwear embodies modern, minimalist design at an accessible luxury price, typically under $300. Hermès, a pillar of French haute couture, offers artisanal, investment-level sandals crafted from the finest materials, with prices starting around $700 and often reaching into the thousands.

Let's break down everything you need to know to decide which brand of sandal is the right fit for your style and wallet.

Movado: The Modern & Minimalist Choice

Movado extends its reputation for Swiss precision and modern design from watches to a clean, contemporary line of accessories, including sandals. The brand targets a style-conscious customer who appreciates understated luxury and versatile design. Their footwear is for someone who wants the look and feel of a luxury item without the ultra-premium price tag, prioritizing a sleek aesthetic that can transition easily from day to night.

• Product mix: A focused collection of sandals featuring sleek, modern silhouettes and clean lines, designed for both comfort and style.
• Price point: Positioned in the accessible luxury category, sandals typically range from $100 to $300.
• Quality & Materials: Utilizes quality materials like high-grade synthetic leathers and durable soles, with a focus on delivering a comfortable and well-constructed product.
• Style & Aesthetic: Characterized by a minimalist and contemporary look. The designs are versatile, easily pairing with both casual and smart-casual outfits.
• Fit & Sizing: Generally runs true to size, offering consistent and reliable sizing across their footwear collection.

Movado offers a great balance of modern style, reliable quality, and good value, making it ideal for shoppers seeking a refined yet approachable luxury look.

Shop Movado: movado.com

Hermès: The Pinnacle of Artisanal Luxury

Hermès represents the highest standard of French luxury, built on a legacy of exceptional craftsmanship and timeless elegance. Known primarily for its coveted leather goods, their footwear line is no exception, with each pair of sandals treated as a piece of art. The Hermès customer is an affluent individual who views fashion items as investments and prioritizes heritage, unparalleled quality, and exclusivity above all else.

• Product mix: A curated selection of sandals crafted from the world's finest leathers and exotic skins, often featuring subtle yet iconic design details.
• Price point: A true high-end luxury item with prices starting around $700 and frequently exceeding $2,000 for more sought-after or exotic models.
• Quality & Materials: World-class quality is a given. Hermès uses premium leathers with meticulous hand-finishing and artisanal construction techniques designed for longevity.
• Style & Aesthetic: Embodies timeless sophistication and classic elegance. Designs are refined, often with subtle branding, and focus on luxurious finishes that never go out of style.
• Fit & Sizing: Known for precise sizing. Sandals often fit true to size but can run slightly narrow due to the nature of their structured leather designs. Half sizes are often available.

Hermès sandals are timeless heirloom pieces that symbolize exclusivity and refined taste, backed by generations of artisanal skill.

Shop Hermès: hermes.com

Movado Sandals vs. Hermès Comparison

Price Comparison

The most significant difference between these two brands is the price. Movado sandals are firmly in the accessible luxury space, with prices of $100 to $300 making them attainable for a broad audience. They offer a taste of luxury design and quality without a major financial commitment.

Hermès operates in a different stratosphere. With a starting point around $700 for basic leather models like the famous Oran sandal, prices quickly climb past $2,000 for versions in exotic skins. You are paying for the brand's heritage, superior materials, hand-craftsmanship, and enduring status as a luxury icon.

Quality & Materials

Movado focuses on good quality for its price point. They use durable materials like high-grade synthetic leathers and sturdy soles, ensuring their sandals are comfortable and built to last through regular seasonal wear. The focus is on a clean finish and contemporary reliability.

Hermès is synonymous with the finest materials available. They use premium calfskin, goatskin, and exotic leathers, all sourced and processed with extreme care. The construction quality is exceptional, involving hours of meticulous hand-stitching and finishing by skilled artisans. An Hermès sandal is crafted not just for a season, but for years of use.

Style & Aesthetic

Movado's aesthetic is modern, minimalist, and sleek. Their designs feature clean lines and understated details, perfectly suited for contemporary tastes. They are versatile sandals designed to complement a minimalist wardrobe without being the centerpiece of an outfit.

Hermès, while offering some minimalist designs, leans toward timeless and classic elegance. Their styles, like the iconic 'H' cut-out on the Oran sandal, are immediately recognizable symbols of sophisticated luxury. The aesthetic is refined and polished, designed to elevate any look with an air of effortless class.

Fit & Sizing

Movado sizing is straightforward and generally true to size, making online shopping relatively risk-free. Their designs often prioritize immediate comfort to suit their modern, on-the-go customer.

Hermès sandals offer precise, European sizing and often come in half sizes for a more tailored fit. Because they are often made from structured, fine leather, some styles may feel slightly narrow at first and require a short break-in period to conform perfectly to the foot.

Shopping Experience

Shopping for Movado is a typical modern retail experience. Their products are available on their user-friendly website and at select department stores. The process is efficient and accessible.

Buying from Hermès is an exclusive affair. While available online, inventory for popular styles and sizes can be scarce. The in-boutique experience is highly personalized, offering a level of customer service that reflects the brand's elite status.

Sustainability & Ethics

Both brands are making efforts toward more sustainable practices. Movado is working to improve its responsible sourcing and reduce environmental impact as part of a broader corporate trend.

For Hermès, sustainability and ethics are deeply ingrained in their history of artisanal production. Their commitment to craftsmanship means they create products meant to last a lifetime, not be thrown away. They maintain high standards for sourcing their leathers and are known for their transparency about production processes.

Which One Should You Choose?

The right choice comes down to your budget, your style priorities, and what you value in a brand.

Choose Movado if:

• You're looking for a stylish, quality sandal for under $300.
• Your personal style leans modern, minimalist, and sleek.
• You want a versatile shoe for smart-casual events and everyday wear.
• You value a well-known brand name without the steep luxury price.

Choose Hermès if:

• You are looking for a true "investment" shoe that is timeless and will last for years.
• The prestige of a top-tier luxury brand is important to you.
• You prioritize the absolute best in materials and artisanal, handcrafted quality.
• Your budget allows for a significant purchase in the $700+ range.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Movado or Hermès more expensive?

Hermès is significantly more expensive. Movado sandals cost between $100 and $300, while Hermès sandals begin around $700 and can easily cost over $2,000.

What are Movado sandals made of?

Movado sandals are typically made from high-grade synthetic leathers and other durable, quality materials designed for comfort and modern style.

What are Hermès sandals made of?

Hermès sandals are crafted from premium leathers, most commonly calfskin, and are also available in exotic skins like alligator. Every component is made from the highest quality material and assembled by artisans.

Which brand is better quality?

Hermès offers superior quality in terms of materials and craftsmanship. Their sandals are handmade to heirloom standards. However, Movado provides very good quality for its price point, making it a reliable and stylish choice for the accessible luxury market.

Do Movado sandals run true to size?

Yes, Movado sandals generally fit true to size, offering a consistent and dependable fit for online shoppers.

Do Hermès sandals run true to size?

Hermès sandals also tend to run true to size, but their structured leather designs can sometimes make them feel slightly narrow initially. They often come in half sizes to ensure a correct fit, and a trusted sales associate can offer guidance.

Where can I buy Movado sandals?

You can purchase Movado sandals directly from the official Movado website and at selected luxury department stores and online retailers.

Why are Hermès sandals so expensive?

The price of Hermès sandals reflects the brand's prestigious heritage, the use of extremely high-quality and often rare materials, the hours of artisanal labor required to create each pair, and the exclusivity associated with the Hermès name.