You’ve been hearing us go on about ‘summer style’ for a while now, and with the warm seasons well underway, you’re probably eager to learn more about how to dress for the nice weather (we can hope). This style guide will focus on the best summer shoes to wear this year, as well as how to style them to look as good as possible.
While you may have already perfected your summer looks, you may have forgotten one crucial element: your feet. It can be tricky to pinpoint which shoes are best to wear during the summer, or even worse, which shoes will even match with your array of summer outfits. This style guide is here to help you with just that.
Knowing what shoes to wear for the rest of the year can be pretty straightforward. Trainers, boots etc. go with most styles during spring, autumn and even winter. But what about summer? Well, you can get away with a pair of loafers for almost every occasion, but in the summer, there are many more elements to consider. Whether you’re exploring the streets of Barcelona or simply lounging by the pool, the right footwear can make or break your holiday and your style. With these five essentials, you’ll be prepared for whatever summer adventure you have planned.
Driving Shoes and Loafers
Perfect for hanging dockside or a summer wedding, classic driver shoes or loafers will never go out of style. If you don’t already have a pair in your collection, you need to add one (or a couple) quick. You can partner your driving shoes or loafers with a multitude of styles to create a smart casual or smart summer attire. You can pair them with shorts, chinos or even jeans to give off a well-put-together vibe.
With jeans, chinos, or even shorts, these shoes are versatile enough to last you well past summer and into autumn. With so many great options, Hudson is a great place to start for the more expensive ranges. We also have many G.H Bass & Co. options that are perfect all year round. For summer, we would suggest going for a brown pair over a black pair. Guys tend to wear a lot of navy or beige in the warmer months, for example, a navy or beige pair of chino shorts. Brown loafers or driving shoes will go much better with these than a black pair would.
Flip flops or Sandals
An absolute poolside must, a pair of flip-flops, sliders or sandals is great whether you’re jetting off to Ibiza or taking a dip in London’s newest attraction, the Hot Tub Cinema. With numerous colours to match any pair of swim trunks, throw a pair of trusty Havaianas in your bag and you’re set.
However, as great as sliders, or flip flops by the pool is, you should try hard to keep them by the pool. Walking around in flip flops isn’t the most stylish outfit you could take on. If you want an open toe shoe to walk around in on your holiday, sandals are the shoes you should go for. Sandals are making a come-back in the fashion scene, even with socks! But they have to be the right kind of sandals. The Teva M Original Universal-Urban Sandal in black is a great choice for this, just be cautious of the tan lines.
Wellies
While it may seem ludicrous, many a festival goer has overlooked this essential in the past only to be completely dismayed at the first sign of rain at Glastonbury. Your tent may be wet but your feet will be dry, and trust us, that can make or break your festival weekend. Try a pair of wellies at your next summer festival and you might even thank us for it.
Stick to either khaki or black wellies as they are the most classic colourways. Anything else is a bit too much and can potentially ruin an outfit. We have a selection of wellies from Hunter which will take you through the whole year, rain or shine.
Trainers
There’s nothing worse than trying to make the most of your holiday weekend, only to be sidelined by aching feet. Avoid the blisters while maintaining your cool guy rep with a pair of our favourite trainers and you’ll be set for the weekend. Trainers also happen to be the easiest and best style to take on at any time of the year. No matter what the weather is saying, trainers should always be on your go-to list for your wardrobe. Any colour or style of trainer will do, from a suede pair of Converse to an all-white pair of Asics.
White trainers are a classic and with good reason. Perfect for literally anything (well, maybe not your boss’ corporate party), a pair of white plimsolls will quickly become your go-to footwear – if it isn’t already. Better yet, if they get dirty, just throw them in the wash and you’re good to go again. Stick to classic Converse or try our new favourite styles from Superga. The great thing about white trainers is that they literally go with everything and anything. You can wear them with a pair of swim shorts and a T-shirt or even with a suit if you so pleased. Nothing beats a pair of shoes that are easy to wear and even easier to style, giving you a cool and effortless vibe whatever season it is.
4 Shoes You Need in Your Summer Wardrobe
- Summer attire is easy, but what are the best shoes to pair with each of your looks? Selecting the best summer shoes can be a struggle, but we think you should stick to the basics.
- Driving shoes and loafers are classics that can be worn all year round. We suggest you stick to a pair of brown ones as they will match more of your summer looks.
- Flip flops, sandals or sliders are great for the poolside. If you’re looking for shoes to wear in the day, some sandals will serve you well. Just watch out for the tan lines.
- Wellies work really well in the summer for festivals. Don’t be put off by the stigma attached to them! Stick to black or khaki coloured wellies.
- Trainers are the ultimate go-to summer shoe (and winter shoe, at that). We think you should wear an all-white pair to make sure they effortlessly match with every outfit you pair them with.
On That Note
Picking out summer shoes doesn’t have to be a hard task, as long as you know which styles you are after. We think you should stick to driving shoes or loafers for when you want to dress smartly. Flip flops, sandals and sliders are great for hot holiday destinations and for the poolside. A pair of black or khaki wellies can serve you well during the summer festival period and white trainers are generally good for just about everything. Now that you know what to look for, go fourth and find the styles that suit you best.
Feature image from Pinterest
