6 Stylish Summer Shoes For Men (That Aren’t Flip-Flops)
When summer hits and the mercury tops out, shoes can become a real inconvenience. No one wants to wrap their dogs in socks and layers of leather on those brutal summer days. Which is why so many men turn to flip-flops for relief. But while flip-flops do offer a maximum in comfort, as far as style goes, well, the less said of them the better. Which is why it’s best to keep them isolated to the beach and the pool where they belong. That said, broiling summer days shouldn’t mean you have to suffer in the footwear department.
Luckily, there are plenty of warm weather alternatives to keep you cool and stylish during those hottest of summer days. It turns out that summer has actually been around for a while, so there’s been plenty of innovation in the whole keep cool/look cool category over the last few centuries. Whether it’s loafers, espadrilles, elegant sandals, or even a great pair of sneakers, summer footwear is all about keeping things simple and breathable. Here are 6 great summer shoe ideas to get you going.
Castañer Espadrilles
If you want to know how to look good while keeping cool during the hottest of seasons, look to the Mediterraneans. They’ve been mixing style with warm weather comfort pretty much since the beginning of time. And the most popular footwear in that regard is the cotton espadrilles. Made of a cotton canvas upper with a jute, rope sole, espadrilles are basically the ultimate answer to the summer footwear conundrum. They look as good with a linen suit as they do with a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and with their simple cotton and rope-sole construction, they’re not only insanely comfortable, they’re about the closest thing you can get to flip-flop ventilation in shoe form.
Vans Checkerboard Slip-On
A sort of American cousin to the European espadrille, the Vans Checkerboard Slip-On is the perfect summer shoe for anyone looking to capture a bit of that late 20th C. California surf/skate vibe. A summer staple in the Golden State since they first debuted in the 1970s (and skyrocketing in popularity thanks to Jeff Spicoli in the ‘80s), the Checkerboard Slip-On is a great way to add a little zip to your summer look without going overboard. It may not quite have the elegance of a classic espadrille, but it more than makes up for it in terms of both whimsy and summer bona fides. And while it’s not the best choice for a suit, it will work for just about anything between board shorts and business casual.
Sperry Boat Shoe
If the Vans Checkerboard is the official summer slip-on of the West Coast, then the Sperry boat shoe is the official summer slip-on of the East Coast. A staple of summer style for everyone from preppies, to beachcombers, to actual sailors, the boat shoe is an absolute classic of warm weather footwear. Whether you wear it in its most preppy form with chinos and a polo shirt, or in a more fashion forward styling with baggy jeans and a vintage tee, it’s hard to beat the boat shoe in terms of versatility and comfort.
G.H. Bass Weejun Suede Loafers
While the boat shoe is a step up in sophistication over the Vans slip-on, it still falls a bit short when you need something for a more elegant summer situation. For that, you can’t do better than a classic G.H. Bass Weejun suede loafer. For those unfamiliar with Bass Weejuns, they’re a classic that have been worn by everyone from James Dean to Richie and Margot Tenenbaum. A simple leather slip-on that’s also sometimes referred to as a penny loafer, it’s a shoe that basically defines casual elegance. And while the traditional black or brown leather version is an absolute classic, for that summer vibe the best move is to go with the Lincoln Suede. It’s a softer look that will pair well with everything from jeans, to chino shorts, to a rumpled linen suit.
Birkenstock Bostons
When the mercury really tops out, you generally want to have as little touching your foot as possible. And the best non-flip-flip option in that regard is the Birkenstock Boston. With their molded cork footbed they get an A+ in comfort. And with their classic suede clog-style upper they get high marks for their easy — and very on-trend — normcore styling. The Arizona is another classic in the Birkenstock lineup, and is probably more famous than its Boston sibling, but with the Boston you get a bit more versatility thanks to the full suede upper. Wear them with literally anything shy of a suit and you’re pretty much good to go all summer long.
Loro Piana Maxime Suede Sandal
As far as casual summer footwear goes, it’s hard to get more casual than a pair of sandals. But if anyone can make something as simple as a sandal ultra lux, it’s Loro Piana, the Italian brand that basically invented quiet luxury. For those who plan to spend their summer sunbathing on a yacht in Saint-Tropez, the Loro Piana Maxime suede sandal is your best bet for keeping cool while staying chic. Sophisticated enough to wear with a summer suit, and made from a lush, velvety Italian suede, it’s every bit an example of the whole quiet luxury trend. But since it’s still technically a sandal, it comes with all of the much-welcome ventilation that the name implies.