Many a gentleman has suffered from the perplexing question of whether or not to attempt sandal-wearing in summer. On the one hand, it’s hot. Your feet, encased in shoes and socks, crave a cool caress to your toes. On the other, it’s a sartorial minefield; one that could result in no small amount of shame.
To settle the matter and remove all margin for error, here are our rules for freeing your feet in summer:
- The absolute safest bets are a pair of classically styled espadrilles or low-key flipflops. Hackett’s, below, are ideal.
- As a general rule, sandals look best with shorts, while espadrilles can also be worn with both long trousers and shorts.
- Rubber sliders are still having a moment, but they are best saved for the poolside.
- Likewise, Birkenstock’s iconic two-strap Arizona style, which is more versatile and imparts a charming boho vibe.
- For sandals, natural materials like leather, canvas and jute look most stylish.
- If you have an evolved sense of style, sporty sandals in nylon can look very cool. And more elaborate leather styles would suit Riviera dandies very nicely.
- Never, under any circumstances, wear a wide-strapped nylon flipflop. It’s unforgivable.
