Choosing wedge sandals comes down to three things: material, toe style, and fit. Here's how to work through each one, using our Women's Wedge Sandals collection as reference.
1. Start with material
- Leather wedge sandals — Black & Tan Leather Wedge Sandals ($320) and the peep toe leather style ($350). Leather softens and moulds to your foot over time, so expect a snugger first wear. Best if you want a wedge sandal that dresses up easily and lasts for years.
- Canvas wedge sandals — Open Toe Canvas Wedge Sandals and Peep Toe Canvas Wedge Sandals, both $280, plus the Knot Canvas Wedge Sandals ($300) in five colourways. Canvas runs true to size and is the lighter, more breathable option for everyday wear.
- Limited edition print wedge sandals — Wild Flame, Midnight Flame, Royal Ember, Ocean Spirit and the Printed Knot and Open Toe Printed styles ($300 each). Each print is made once in a single run of roughly 50–80 pairs and never repeated, so sizes and colours sell out permanently rather than restocking.
2. Then choose your toe style
- Open toe — better airflow, shows off a pedicure, feels the most "sandal." See the open toe leather and canvas styles, plus Ocean Spirit and the Printed Open Toe.
- Peep toe / closed toe — a touch more coverage and structure, works well moving from day into evening. See the peep toe leather and canvas styles, and Royal Ember and Midnight Flame.
- Knot / ankle tie — the Knot styles and Wild Flame use a ribbon ankle tie that can be adjusted or swapped, which also helps with fit on narrower ankles.
3. Match the occasion
- Everyday and travel: Classic Wedge Sandals ($280, Black, Brown, Olive & Beige) or the canvas styles — the most versatile, easiest to repeat-wear.
- Resort and holiday: the limited edition prints — Ocean Spirit for coastal trips, Wild Flame or Royal Ember for evening.
- Smart-casual and semi-formal: the leather styles, particularly the Black & Tan peep toe.
Sizing & fit
All Miriam Bella wedge sandals use European sizing and are handcrafted, so fit varies slightly by material:
- Leather: snug at first, stretches over time — size up if you have wider feet.
- Canvas: true-to-size, softens with wear.
- African fabric / print styles: roomier, wide fit — good for average to wider feet.
Full AU/US/UK/FR/EU conversions and foot-length measurements are on the Espadrille Size Guide. If you're between sizes, we recommend sizing up.
Why handcrafted wedge sandals cost more — and last longer
Every pair is handcrafted in Kenya by women artisans in small batches (most runs are 50–80 pairs, never repeated), with a 7cm jute wedge, soft leather lining and a rubber outsole. That's a different starting point to a mass-produced wedge sandal, and it's reflected in the finish: hand-stitched ribbon ties, hand-selected prints, and a sole built to be resoled rather than replaced. Read more about the artisans behind each pair on Our Impact.
Wedge Sandals FAQ
What's the difference between an espadrille wedge and a regular wedge sandal? An espadrille wedge sandal uses a jute (rope) wedge heel, which is lighter and slightly more flexible than a solid rubber, cork or wood wedge. All Miriam Bella wedge sandals are espadrille wedges, built on a 7cm jute wedge with a rubber outsole for grip.
Are wedge sandals comfortable to walk in? Yes — the wedge shape distributes your weight across the whole sole rather than balancing on a thin heel, which makes them more stable than a stiletto at a similar height. A jute wedge like ours is also lighter than a solid wedge, so it wears comfortably over a full day.
How do I know what size wedge sandal to order? Check your foot length against the Espadrille Size Guide rather than relying on your usual shoe size, since fit shifts by material — leather runs snug initially, canvas is true to size, and printed fabric styles run roomier.
Will my wedge sandals stretch or break in? Leather styles will soften and mould to your foot within the first few wears. Canvas softens too, but keeps its shape more than leather. Jute soles shouldn't be worn in wet conditions, as moisture can wear down the fibre over time.
Why are the limited edition prints more expensive, and why can't I get my size back if it sells out? Each print is produced once, in one small batch, using fabric sourced for that run only — so once a size sells out in Wild Flame, Midnight Flame, Royal Ember or Ocean Spirit, it won't be restocked in that print again.
Shop the collection: Women's Wedge Sandals →