Something has been happening in the world of men’s fashion. Guys – like regular, everyday guys – are starting to step up their sartorial game. They’re adding pocket squares to their suits and wearing linen pants in the summer (with actual shoes or sandals – instead of just sneakers or flip-flops).
I suspect it has something to do with social media – so many of the influencers focusing on men’s fashion frequently use well-dressed Europeans as examples, even for an American audience. And honestly? I’m not complaining. At this point, my guys have something of a summer uniform that they’ve just been repeating for years. It’s so useful that it works both when traveling abroad AND if they need to dress up a bit in the summer. And one of the most important parts?
The shoes.
So. Let me propose a few easy summer shoe upgrades for guys. Nothing too crazy, nothing too far out of a comfort-loving man’s comfort zone. There are basically just four types of shoes that can completely transform your guy’s summer shoe wardrobe: sandals, espadrilles, canvas shoes, and cool, retro-inspired sneakers.
While I know man-sandals can be a polarizing topic in general…I’m a fan! That said, sandals are tricky – you definitley need the right sort of sandal. I have more on that below, but the safest place to start is with Birkenstocks (or any sandal that is vaguely Birkenstock-shaped). That said, a cool pair of canvas shoes (slip-on Vans, perhaps??) can easily be worn in place of sandals.
If you are looking for ONE casual summer shoe that can be used to dress up your guys’ outfit…it’s an espadrille. In fact, if you are planning a summer trip to Europe, my number one shoe for guys (the one all three of my guys have sworn by for years) is this exact pair of Rivieras. Designed in France and made in Spain, these shoes are a cool espadrille/loafer hybrid and have been an easy win no matter where we are in Europe.
And just so we’re clear: Classic Crocs are not real shoes worn by adult men. I said what I said. Flip-flops, however? I’m a fan – especially if it’s a classic pair of Rainbows or something simple. I mean…what else are you going to wear, riding a bike at the shore?
So. Here are a bunch of seriously awesome guy-shoes that can get your man through almost any casual summer situation.
1. The Best Sandals For Men
Featured: Quince Fisherman Sandals | Scarosso Antonio Sandals | Birkenstock Solana Slide Sandal | Birkenstock Soft Arizona
When in doubt, go with a classic pair of Birkenstocks – especially the ‘soft’ Arizona style. They need no breaking-in, will last forever, and always look cool. That said, sandals for men have come a REALLY long way in the last few years, and I’m especially loving woven pairs, both a traditional fisherman style or – even better – a woven fisherman mule. That said, there are a ton of leather slides to choose from right now that all have a similar casual-cool vibe.
Here are my favorite sandal picks for guys:
2. The Best Espadrilles For Men
For us, Rivieras have seriously earned their weight in our closet. Since my boys became teens, all three of my guys (hubs, and two boys) have been wearing Rivieras. My husband wears his all summer, and our boys wear theirs when traveling to Europe or for dressing up. These espadrille/loafer hybrids have a rubber sole, so they’re comfortable for walking around all day, dressy enough for most summer situations (the guys wore them – with linen suits – to my sister’s beach wedding), and, quite frankly, can take a beating. Mike also has a pair of colorful Rivieras which are also really cool (and surprisingly, look good with everything).
That said, if you really want a leather espadrille option, Rivieras does make a suede version, or Banana Republic’s suede espadrilles also look great.
Lastly, a classic Spanish brand like Viscata (made in Barcelona!) is always a safe bet, too!
3. The Best Canvas Shoes For Men
Featured: Slip-On Vans | Vans Authentic | Converse X Madhappy | Hey Dude Wally
Our favorite canvas slip-ons, each year, tend to be limited edition slip-on Vans. While the classic colors work, I often look for a pair with extra texture (chambray, herringbone, etc) or some kind of cool pattern. For this year, specifically, my favorite slip-on Vans for guys are either this muted checkerboard colorway (in ‘incense’) or this seriously cool floral pair (in ‘marshmallow white’).
Also of note? Converse’s collab with Madhappy has resulted in the best striped sneakers I’ve seen, like, ever. Not too bright and just a little broken-in, they’re perfect.
4. The Best Summer Sneakers For Men
Featured: New Balance | Autry Men Windspin | Autry Running Shoe (brown) | Asics | Adidas
I’m loving all of the retro running sneakers that have been dominating the trends recently. Color, suede, and old-school pairs from New Balance and Asics – literally nothing is more comfortable. My younger guys love the chunkier pairs (like New Balance 990s, or even 574s, as well as Asics), but on my husband, I tend to stick to lower profile sneakers, in saturated color (like Adidas Italias 70’s or Handball Spezials in this really cool green). It’s just a fresher look.
xo,
S
Please do a post like this for moms. I pretty much wear Keens and Birks all summer and now I feel like I should step up my game.
I completely agree with you about men needing footwear help. My husband wears flip flops all summer and I hate them. I just bought two pairs from your post for my husband the Vans Rata and the Onitsuka sneakers. There is no way in hell he’d wear those sandals in the middle and on the right though, they would definitely qualify as way too “dude-y” and by “dude-y”, I mean “dandy”. xoxo.
Should I be proud that my husband already has (and wears) the Rata Vulc (purchased by my for my brother’s beach wedding) and a closet full of retro sneaks?
Laughing so hard cause the comment about your man dressing like he did the first year out of college… so true, so true! Please burn all the graphic tees, cargo shorts, and flip flops!! Buying him the vans and considering the onitsukas. Thanks so much. Now I just need a post to show him for the clothes!! Because apparently he will listen to you and not me!!
Oh, I don’t know, if my DH wore Birks, I think I might bust out the granny panties. They might be on trend, but they are not cute!
Sigh. Normally I wouldn’t think of disagreeing with you, but (as I’m sure you’re aware) here in the greater-Boulder-area, the “Instead of This” column is actually the epitome of dad-street-cred. Apparently you do need superior traction for normal dadding activities (and Keen and Crocs are busting out more styles and colors than ever, so they’re undoubtedly aware of this…)
Thanks for the other options though – my husband is due for his decade-shoe-change, so it’s lovely to have these in hand. 🙂
Yes! Thank you for this! My husband definitely still dresses like his first year out of college…and don’t even get me started on the flip flops! Could you please do one of these for non-work clothes too? We need some serious help with that in my house 🙂
THANK YOU! Great and necessary post. I agree that we might need some follow up posts on dressing the guys for weekend days and date night.
Fantastic post. Whenever I push something hard on my husband, he ends up never wearing it. This I just forward to him and come to his own conclusions. He is buying the Vans Rata in red! I’m pretty sure he will love them since it feels more like his style than the style his wife forced on him.
Do any of these styles come in wide widths? My husband is uncharacteristically open to fashion lately but he needs a wide shoe. No getting around it.
Yes, please, PLEASE do a post on man sandals. My husband needs to buy some ASAP and neither of us has a clue what to look for. He’s used to living in Chacos.
An updated men’s clothing post would also be fantastic.
Thanks, Shana–LOVE your blog!
Help! Do they wear socks with the retro sneaks if paired with shorts?
I’m going to say no to the Birkenstocks. But there are some others I could see my husband wearing, could you please post something on men’s jeans, specifically for height-challenged ones? Maybe a whole dressing the height challenged man? There’s no petite section for men and sometimes the length of shirts and shorts swamp my husband.
They don’t have to. If that’s an issue, though, you can buy socks that were made to be worn without showing….Zappos has them… I’ll look for a link somewhere.
On it! Thank you!
Smart move, Chick.
They’ll go perfect with his green stripes. 😉
Love the blue canvas in the very top pic – what is the brand?
I’m trying to get my husband out of Tevas…he wears them everywhere, with everything (even with socks…ugh!). The leather flip flops would be an upgrade – seriously.
Discovered your blog this year and I just love it – thank you!
Agree with poster DD … I’d love to know what brand the navy ones at the top of the post are. I’ve just scoured the internet and can’t seem to find them. I’m almost 100% certain they’re not Vans.
Please help!
Love these, but it ain’t gonna happen at my house. My husband has his act together when it comes to work clothes, but it’s nothing short of a miracle if I can get him out of his Nikes the rest of the time.
trail anything is big in northwest CT. We wear them to fit in with the New Yorkers and take our kids hiking
Has anyone figured out brand or where to purchase the navy blue lace up shoe featured on first pic?
Oh no! I keep forgetting to add the details – he got them at Target, actually.
Sent from my iPhone
Thanks, Shana! At a quick glance, I could not seem to find on Target’s website, maybe I would have better luck finding in store. If you have any luck locating or know brand, I would love to find these for my hubby! Love your blog, thanks 🙂
I like this because here we can see different varieties. I really feel that here i can see more options onCasual Shoes for Men Online so i can get my favourite brands
Yes, I love TOMS Paseos in Canvas Cobalt Blue Pop and it only $48 by now. Lucky me 😀