Skip to content

Comparison Designer sandals

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal vs Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal if you want wearable sparkle. Buy the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos instead if you want handmade leather at a fair price.

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal
Buy

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal

Best for Lower Cleo

Typically $1,250–$1,500

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos
Buy

Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos

Best for Value sandal

Typically $230–$300

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureRené Caovilla Cleo 80 SandalAncient Greek Sandals Desmos
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$1,250–$1,500$230–$300
Best forLower CleoValue sandal
Key featureCleo 80Handmade leather strap sandal
MaterialSatin with crystalsVachetta leather
SoleLeatherLeather
FitTrue to sizeTrue to size
Made inItalyGreece
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Material

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: Satin with crystals; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: Vachetta leather.

Sole

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: Leather; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: Leather.

Fit

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: True to size; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: True to size.

Made in

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: Italy; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: Greece.

Why buy it

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: cleo 80; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: handmade leather strap sandal.

Made for

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: lower Cleo; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: value sandal.

Usual price

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal: $1,250–$1,500; Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: $230–$300.

Which should you choose?

Choose the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal if you

  • you want wearable sparkle
  • value wearable
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos if you

  • you want handmade leather at a fair price
  • value handmade
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best designer sandals.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Hermès Oran Sandal

Hermès · Designer sandals

Hermès Oran Sandal

Buy it if you want the most iconic summer slide.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
The iconic slide
Typical price
$760–$860

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Comfortable

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Gianvito Rossi Ribbon Sandal 85

Gianvito Rossi · Designer sandals

Gianvito Rossi Ribbon Sandal 85

Buy it if you want a comfortable evening sandal.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Elegant evening
Typical price
$895–$995

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Elegant

Cons

  • Ribbon wears

Frequently asked questions

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal or Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: which should I buy?

Buy the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal if you want wearable sparkle. Buy the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos instead if you want handmade leather at a fair price.

Is the price difference worth it?

The René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal usually costs $1,250–$1,500 and the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos $230–$300. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal or Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos: the full reasoning

René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal or Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos? Both are strong designer sandals, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal if you want wearable sparkle, and buy the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos if you want handmade leather at a fair price. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal wins on cleo 80. The Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos answers with handmade leather strap sandal. Material: Satin with crystals on the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal, Vachetta leather on the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos. Sole: Leather on the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal, Leather on the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos. Fit: True to size on the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal, True to size on the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos. Made in: Italy on the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal, Greece on the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos.

Reasons to buy the René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal

Wearable. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $1,250–$1,500. Our verdict: buy. Read the full René Caovilla Cleo 80 Sandal review.

Reasons to buy the Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos

Handmade, Fair price, Comfortable. What to accept: small brand. Usual price: $230–$300. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Ancient Greek Sandals Desmos review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best designer sandals has every other piece with its own call. Straps: thin straps can cut in on hot days; wider straps and lined footbeds are kinder.

Also consider the Hermès Oran Sandal ($760–$860): h-cutout leather slide. Buy it if you want the most iconic summer slide.

Also consider the Gianvito Rossi Ribbon Sandal 85 ($895–$995): ribbon ankle sandal on block heel. Buy it if you want a comfortable evening sandal.

Buyer tip

Sandals are cheapest in the late-summer sales of July and August; iconic slides such as the Hermès Oran rarely discount at all.

Buying in Europe: Italian and French sizes are used on most designer shoes, and they differ from US sizes by brand. Check the house’s own size chart, and remember that many Italian brands run about half a size small.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.