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The days are getting longer, the jacarandas are starting to do their thing, and the sheepskin slippers are about to get swapped out for something a little more season-appropriate. Spring is here and summer is arriving fast — which means it's the right time to think about what your feet will be wearing for the next six months.
Everything below is handcrafted in South Africa, built to last, and ready for the season. Whether you're heading to the beach, the bush, or just doing the school run in sandals, here's where to start.
The Flip Flop
Plakkie Leather Flip Flops
No South African summer is complete without a Plakkie. These leather flip flops have been on South African feet at the beach, the braai, and everywhere in between for as long as anyone can remember — and the names tell you exactly where they belong: Clifton, Camps Bay, Coffee Bay. Unisex sizing across most styles, with kids' sizes available too. Durable, honest, and unmistakably South African.
The Leather Sandal
Groundcover Leather Sandals
Groundcover has been handcrafting footwear in Curry's Post, KZN since 1990. Their sandal range is the summer standout — full-grain leather, made to mould to your foot over time, and built to outlast every fast-fashion alternative on the market. For women, the Sandy, Daisy, and Toe-Strap are the summer staples — each one a slightly different silhouette but the same quality leather and craftsmanship throughout. For men, the Grandpa Leather Sandal is a perennial bestseller: substantial, comfortable, and the kind of sandal that genuinely improves with wear.
Veldskoen Namaqualand Leather Sandal
Veldskoen's take on the summer sandal. The Namaqualand is a full-grain leather sandal with the same considered construction that goes into every Veldskoen shoe — hand-stitched in Durban, available in Daisy Tan and Aloe Olive. The kind of sandal that works as well at a beach restaurant as it does on a trail.
Veldskoen Leather Plakkies
If the Plakkie flip flop is the beach essential, the Veldskoen Leather Plakkie is the step up — full-grain leather construction in the same flip flop silhouette, with a heft and quality that lasts years rather than seasons. Available in a thick strap (men's) and thin strap (ladies') version.
The One That Does Both Seasons
KARU Shloffy Leather Travel Slippers
The Shloffy is officially classified as a slipper, but calling it only that undersells it considerably. This is a soft-sole leather travel slipper that works just as well indoors on a warm summer evening as it does on a plane, in a hotel room, or at a weekend away. Packable, lightweight, and made with KARU's characteristic quality — the Shloffy is available in Sand, Choc Brown, Charcoal, and Caramel Brown. Our second and third bestselling KARU products after the Cosy range. The slipper that travels.
Something to Look Forward To
We're always expanding the range, and next month we'll be introducing some new products — including South African-made t-shirts and more. Keep an eye on madebyartisans.com and our social channels for the announcement, or sign up for our newsletter.
Summer in South Africa deserves South African footwear. Everything above is handcrafted locally and is built to last well beyond this season.
Shop Veldskoen | Shop Groundcover | Shop Plakkie | Shop KARU
