I have a hard time finding sandals that I like during the warm months, and until I saw the 3.1 Phillip Lim Domina Sandals on Net-a-Porter yesterday, I couldn’t figure out exactly why that was. Everyone loses their mind over espadrilles and gladiator flats and all kinds of other things, so why not me? Simple: My wardrobe is entirely based on black and grey, while most hardcore summer shoes are anchored in a palette of tan and beige. I don’t get faint when I see most sandals because I could never picture myself wearing them. Obviously, Phillip Lim has done my spring wardrobe a great favor.

If you love a traditional sandal, this might not be the shoe for you. Black leather and mirrored silver patent isn’t necessarily a combination that looks right at home at the beach, but then again, I probably own more black sundresses than you do. Yes, black sundresses exist. I own all of them. As soon as I spotted this pair of shoes, I went directly to Lim’s website to look up the location of his New York boutique so that I might try them on in person as soon as they arrive, and if that’s not exactly the reaction that a designer is hoping to generate in his potential clients, I don’t know what is. These sandals are as yet a no-show at the boutique and fairly well priced, so I might just order them via Net-a-Porter for $395 and hope for the best when they arrive.