Which branded sandal should I start with?

The Gucci Web Slide is the easiest entry: recognisable, rubber bodied, and hard to damage. The Hermes Oran Noir is the dressiest pick for occasions, while the Dior by Birkenstock Milano splits the difference between comfort and status.

What works for Indian weddings versus daily wear?

Leather pairs like the Hermes Oran and Prada Crisscross sit naturally with kurtas and bandhgalas at functions. For daily wear and monsoon months, rubber bodied slides from Gucci and Bape survive water, dust, and constant on off wear far better.

How does sizing run on luxury sandals?

Most of these run in EU sizing. The Hermes Oran cuts narrow, so wide feet should go up a size. Dior and Gucci slides fit true with room across the strap, and Birkenstock style footbeds feel roomy until the cork moulds to your foot.

Leather or rubber: which lasts longer here?

Rubber wins on pure survival through Indian summers and monsoons; rinse and go. Leather ages more beautifully but hates standing water, so condition it monthly and keep it for dry days. Owning one of each covers the whole calendar.