Men's Summer Shoes Guide (2024)

Summer Shoes Sensationalize Summer Looks

As the mercury rises and things start to heat up with the coming of summer and warm weather, it’s time to set aside the heavier, more sedate outfits of the colder months and embrace the bold, fresh colors and light, airy looks appropriate to this season.

Defining What a Summer Shoe Is

The term “summer shoe” refers not just to any shoe you could conceivably wear in the summer, which would encompass most classic leather shoes, but instead refers to a category of shoes that have been intentionally designed for wear in the warmer months, and that is particularly suited to this season.

These shoes often have lighter weight and materials than traditional leather dress shoes, and many can trace their origins back to hotter climates where every aspect of one’s outfit, including your shoes, was expected to keep the wearer feeling breezy and comfortable.

Summer shoes also tend to be more casual, as the detailing necessary to ensure hot-weather comfort usually appears more casual, and because summer shoes are often worn on occasions, such as vacations or trips to beaches, pools, and resorts, at which you’ll likely be less formal most of the time.

Summer Shoes Come in a Variety of Styles

Constructed to Keep You Cool

Many summer shoes have an open construction, in which the area around the ankle and the upper portions of the vamp are open or more exposed. By opening up this portion of the shoe, it is possible for more of the foot to be in direct contact with the open air and the breezes which help the body keep cool.

As a result, summer shoes feature a generally slimmer and lower profile, reducing the bulk of the shoe in order to minimize its overall coverage. This exposure facilitates the cooling process and literally makes the entire shoe lighter.

Summer shoes are also more likely to feature lighter-weight soles, as they do not need to possess the same grime, water, and snow-resistant properties typical of fully welted shoes. Summer shoes often have soles made from thin leather, cork, rubber, roped fibers, and similar materials. These soles are usually stitched directly to the insole, as in Blake Construction, as this construction allows for improved overall flexibility and reduced weight.

Loose Lacing Systems for Comfort and Climate-Control

As part of the effort to keep summer shoes as open and breathable as possible, many summer shoes eschew tighter and more constrictive lacing systems, such as the one typical of oxford shoes, and opt instead for closure systems that expose as much of the foot as possible.

On more formal summer shoes, one is likely to see a derby lacing system, as the area around its vamp is not as tight and constricted when fully laced.

On more casual summer shoes, this lacing system will often feature thicker laces that are not intended to be tightly synced and tongue and upper construction that is generally looser, in order to encourage maximum air circulation.

Slip-Ons for Ease and Breeze

Slip-on shoes, which lack a lacing system entirely, are also very popular for summer wear, as the wider mouth is often able to accommodate better access to circulating air that helps keep the entire body cool.

Slip-on shoes also tend to have a lower profile overall, exposing more of the foot to the open air. Slip-on shoes also have the benefit of being able to be taken on and off quickly and easily, facilitating any strolls through the surf in which you might feel tempted to indulge.

Colors & Textures

In keeping with the more casual nature of summer shoes, they will often feature brighter colors or unusual textures not seen on more formal classic leather shoes. Whites, off-whites, tans, and light browns are typical of summer shoes, and you are also likely to see blues, greens, and even yellow or oranges as well.

These brighter colors, in addition to fitting the larger color palette typical of summer clothing, also tend to be lighter, and as such facilitate the reflection, rather than absorption, of the sun’s rays, which cause the body to feel hotter.

Summer shoes, usually because of the materials from which they are made, can also feature unique and interesting textures, such as pebbling, exposed pores, and a generally rougher face. These textures contribute to their casual look and help summer shoes stand out from their colder-weather counterparts.

How Classic Summer Shoe Materials Help You Cool Off

Summer shoes are traditionally made from materials that are lightweight and breathable enough to ensure that the foot remains cool while keeping the shoe structurally and stylistically sound. These can include materials like leather, which are typical of most classic shoes, as well as more unusual materials that are usually employed in classic menswear only for summer shoes.

Leather

As a naturally breathable, flexible, and elastic fabric, leather, tanned from the hides of a variety of animals, is one of the best possible materials for shoes, and its excellence extends to summer shoes. Particular types of leather and treatments, however, can be better suited to the hotter months than others.

Cloth Fabrics

In addition to leather, several natural and synthetic cloth fabrics can be used to make summer shoes. These cloth fabrics are usually selected for qualities like lightness, breathability, and moisture-wicking, to help keep the wearer cool.

While many modern manufacturers trumpet the capabilities of new or proprietary synthetic fabrics, in most cases, you will be best served opting for natural fibers, as they tend to function the best when it comes to natural cooling and are generally better for the environment.

Remember that Summer Shoes Work in All Warm or Hot Weather

Ultimately, the name “summer shoe” is something of a misnomer, as in reality these shoes can and should be worn whenever it is warm or hot. Accordingly, if you live in a climate in which spring or fall can be very balmy, or in a tropical climate in which the temperatures are almost always elevated, it will likely behoove you to wear “summer” shoes all year round.

Why You Should Wear Summer Shoes

When building a collection of shoes, it can be tempting to focus on shoes that can be worn year-round, in order to maximize the efficiency of your wardrobe. But maintaining a few summer-dedicated shoes will ensure that your wardrobe features staples that provide seasonal variety to your overall look, as well as avoiding the risk of overheating which might come with shoes not designed to handle the heat.

Summer Shoes Help Keep You Cool During Sizzling Summers

A common critique of the Classic Style is the assumption that classic clothing is simply not feasible in warm and hot-weather environments. In fact, gentlemen of style have been dressing well in high temperatures without becoming well-done for centuries, but doing so requires a circ*mspect approach to dressing in which every aspect of your ensemble maximizes your ability to keep cool.

Your shoes are a vital component of this approach, as the perceived temperature of your feet can impact how cold or hot you feel overall. Summer shoes are designed to keep your feet feeling as cool and aerated as possible, which will, in turn, make your entire body feel cooler.

Conversely, wearing shoes that are not appropriate for hot weather can make your feet feel sticky and overheated, which will in turn make you feel even hotter. Therefore, especially if you live in an area with hot summers, it makes good practical sense to invest in a few summer shoes.

Summer Shoes Add Seasonal Spice to Summer Ensembles

In addition to their utilitarian benefits, summer shoes also add much-needed variety and diversity to your shoe collection, allowing you to practice scorpacciata, or savoring distinctive seasonal fashion. With their unique colors, textures, and materials, summer shoes are unlike shoes from any other season, and as such, they can add unexpected visual pop and excitement to your summer looks.

Understanding the Benefits of a Classic Summer Shoe

In the popular conception, summertime seems like the ideal season for extremely casual shoes like sneakers, sandals, or flip-flops. Within the realm of Classic Style, however, these shoes are primarily practical in purpose, and as such should be reserved for athletic endeavors or jaunts to the pool and beach.

For daily wear in the summer, devotees of the Classic Style are better served selecting classic summer shoes that have the same cooling qualities and comfort as sneakers or sandals but are far more refined and appropriate for considerably more occasions.

When assessing whether or not to invest in classic summer shoes, you will be well-served considering the following qualities.

Classic Summer Shoes are Timeless

The warmer months herald fashion shows and clothing conventions, and with such events come new trends. You may feel very tempted to follow these fashions and acquire a pair of whatever shoes happen to be trendy and hot in the hot summer months.

These shoes, however, are designed to be modish, and as such, there is no guarantee that their popularity will last into the next season, let alone the next year.

Rather than having to constantly pursue whatever shoe happens to be in the limelight, adherence to the Classic Style encourages you to find shoes that have already stood the test of time and survived decades of fashion trends.

Classic Summer Shoes are Versatile

Many trendy summer shoes are designed to be worn with trendy outfits, thus it is very difficult to mix and match articles to craft a vibrant and diverse wardrobe. To a certain degree, this was done intentionally, as many modern fashion houses want you to think that you have to buy particular shoes to go with particular outfits, thereby increasing their profit margins.

The Classic Style, however, hinges upon curating a collection of menswear articles that are specifically intended to be recombined and arranged in new and exciting ways. Accordingly, classic summer shoes are able to be worn with a variety of different outfits, expanding the host of looks from which you can choose and allowing you to stretch your wardrobe considerably further.

Classic Summer Shoes Have Great Cost-per-Wear

Discounting designer shoes, most contemporary summer shoes are relatively inexpensive when it comes to upfront costs. These prices are intended to encourage impulse buys and soothe any concerns about the low durability of the shoes, getting them wet, or throwing them away once your holiday is over.

But a neverending cycle of buying and throwing away cheap, contemporary summer shoes is not only a dangerous example of the environmental impact of fast fashion, it is also a waste of your time and resources.

However, by investing in a well-made pair of summer shoes, you can save time and money in the long run because they do not need to be replaced and can be worn for years when properly maintained. The cost-per-wear ratio illustrates that the more often you can utilize a garment, the cheaper its overall price is, as you are enjoying greater use of it.

Classic summer shoes, on average, will afford considerably more years of use and opportunities for wear than most contemporary summer shoes, and as such represent a superior cost-per-wear ratio.

Basic Shoes You Should Be Wearing This Summer

The following shoes represent the mainstays of Classic Summer Shoes. They are some of the best summer shoes, suitable for a variety of occasions, and many can also be worn outside of the summer months. As such, they are excellent investments and it would behoove most gentlemen to have at least one of each type of the following in their personal shoe collection.

Loafers

In some circles, the term “loafers” refers to essentially any slip-on shoe. In fact, loafers are a distinct footwear type that come in a variety of styles, affording a nice range to choose from based on your attire that day.

The best thing about theloafer is that it provides a cool summer look that can work with both casual and business-appropriate apparel. This makes it one of the most versatile shoes in the summer collection and a must-have shoe for men. Available in both leather and in suede, there are a variety of styles such as the penny loafer, the Gucci loafer, and the tassel loafer, which is perfect for business attire.

Unlike many other slip-ons, wearing socks with loafers is standard practice so it is aperfect choice of footwear for more formal occasions or circ*mstances in which you’ll be attending someone’s home where they encourage guests to take their shoes off upon entry.

Shopping for Summer Loafers?

Boat Shoes

RECOMMENDED

Boat Shoes by Sperry

Paul Sperry is credited with creating the modern boat shoe, and Sperry continues to manufacture high-quality boat shoes to this day. If you’re new to the world of boat shoes, Sperry represents an excellent starting point for your collection.

Shop the Entire Sperry Menswear Collection Here

Driving Moccasins

The most popular moccasin-style shoe, the Driving Moc is technically not a genuine moccasin but rather a new derivation designed by Diego della Vale, of the Italian shoe firm Tod’s. Known by the knobs that peek through the sole of the shoe, driving mocs were often worn by men as a shoe kept in their car to keep the interior of the cabin free from dirt and debris that would collect on their outdoor shoes.

Today, these shoes are a summer shoe, worn barefoot with everything from shorts to casual trousers like chinos. Unlike the loafer, they are very casual and should therefore not be worn with a business suit, but rather work best with casual wear for a stroll on the boardwalk or a day of shopping.

Traditionally made from leather, they are another slip-on shoe that has become very popular as a way of introducing bright colors into a more traditional wardrobe. Although they do come in black and brown, invest in some fun colors such as green, blue, or red suede for a summery look. Note that pastel tones are better than bright colors because they make you look supremely well dressed without looking ostentatious.

Shopping for Summer-Ready Driving Mocs?

Nice-to-Have Summer Shoes To Take Your Ensembles Further

The following shoes are not as essential as those previously mentioned, but each one represents an iconic classic summer shoe style that will beautifully compliment many summer looks. You do not necessarily need to acquire examples of each of these shoes, but they are all superlative footwear that could, depending on your style, interests, and needs, be worth acquiring.

Bucks

The white buck emerged as part of the Trad Style, which formed as a more traditional take on the casual preppy and Ivy league style trends in the Northeastern, United States. Like much of today’s summer style for gentlemen, it originated from one of these three rebellious fashions which were originally a mode of “sticking it to the man.”

The preppies love their boat shoes, the Ivy League style took on the loafer, and so for the more traditional gents attending university whose fathers wouldn’t dare let them step foot outside the house in boat shoes, the white buck was adopted as the shoe of choice.

Today, bucks aren’t as popular as they once wear and many men who might otherwise wear them about town instead opt for other footwear. However, for the stylish gentleman interested in something unusual, having at least one or two pairs of bucks is a testament to sartorial prowess and an excellent example of a summer shoe that can be worn with a variety of outfits. At the very least, it will certainly get you noticed.

Canvas Shoes

Sneakers and athletic shoeshave become the norm in the summer, but if you’re looking for a similar shoe with a more classic style, you should definitely consider acanvas shoe. You can wear them with or without socks, and they come in all sorts of colors. Classic colors include white and off-white, but note that these colors can be difficult to keep clean. A pair of simple grey or royal blue canvas won’t stain as easily and when paired with white or light blue laces is a great choice for theyoung or young-at-heart gentlemanwho leads an active life.

Perfect for a walk in the park, playing in thebackyard with your kids,or for a quick jaunt to the store, these shoes are undeniably casual and are best utilized with the most casual attire you have in your wardrobe.

Espadrilles

Once an inexpensive shoe for the common laborer, espadrilles originated in the Pyrenees, although they were also worn for decades in Mallorca, Spain. Today, they are a stylish summer shoe that has found its way from Spain to North America and is considered a signature of the sunny Mediterranean style. A flat and flexible shoe, they are usually made with canvas or cotton uppers with an instantly recognizable sole made of jute rope. They can vary in overall style somewhat but are always very casual.

RECOMMENDED

Velasca “Inguriatt” Espadrilles

Available in suede or canvas, Milanese shoemaker Velasca offers several espadrilles in fun summer colors like tobacco brown, coral red, and sea green. The soles are made from traditional jute, reinforced with rubber, and hand-stitched to the sole.

Available Here

Woven-Leather Shoes

Many classic summer shoes are available in styles that feature panels of, or are made entirely from, woven leather.

Woven leather shoes are similar in breathability to perforated leather shoes, but many find them more elegant. While it adds a refined touch to an otherwise casual outfit, it also works well with seersucker ensembles. Note that some woven leather shoes have a regular leather lining, which limits the air-flow considerably. Hence, make sure the lining is either fabric such as linen or also perforated.

RECOMMENDED

Scarosso “Andrea Moro” Woven-Leather Loafers

Modeled on a traditional penny loafer, this woven-leather shoe is made from quality calfskin with hand-finishing. The shoes are unlined and thus suitable for wear with socks or without and are lightweight and flexible thanks to their blake welt construction.

Available Here

Spectators

Technically speaking, spectators can be worn year-round depending on their color scheme, but because many examples of this shoe feature summer-appropriate colors, it can rightly be considered a summer shoe itself. In general, many of the style rules mentioned for bucks can also be applied to spectators.

A Special Note on Sneakers

Within the Classic Style, sneakers and trainers are primarily considered athletic shoes, intended to be worn almost exclusively when exercising or engaged in sport. That being said, within the past two decades, dress sneakers have begun to feature more and more often in Classic Style ensembles.

As such, if they are in keeping with your personal style, you may wish to integrate a shoe like a white sneaker into some of your summer looks.

Due to their intentionally breathable construction and very casual nature, most sneakers can be worn as summer shoes. Therefore, our existing guide on sneakers will help you determine which examples can be successfully integrated into the Classic Style.

Shoe Styling Tips for the Summer

Whether you wear a traditional summer shoe or are looking to add some seasonality to a shoe worn year-round, the following tips will help you get the most out of your classic summer shoes and really put a sizzle in your step.

Colorful Shoelaces Give New Life to Old Shoes

Shoes in brown and burgundy are already very summer-appropriate and new laces can really add a touch of whimsy and summer fun to shoes like these. With the right laces, however, even traditional captoe oxfords in black can be given a new summer look. Try yellow or pink for a really vibrant pop of color that is perfect for the summer.

With the quick and simple addition of a colored shoelace,you can add some pep to any shoe in your closet and compliments will soon follow. The best part is, that you can easily take them back out and add them to another pair, all while changing the look completely. A new pair of shoes was never soaffordable!

Colorful Leathers Enliven Your Look

Introducing colorful shoes to your summer wardrobe is easily one of the most fun and interesting ways to enhance your outfit. While black and brown shoes are the most common for men, buying a pair of shoes in olive green, dark blue, or beige suede can really set you apart from the crowd in a sophisticated way.

Of course, you can also play with other colors such as red tones oryellows, just be careful to pair them with muted items and skip other statement pieces because less is more and the introduction of a pair of bright shoes is more than enough to add some color to your outfit.

Colorful Socks Perfectly Blend Summer Shoes and Summer Ensembles

As with shoelaces, colorful socks can effectively transform an old pair of shoes into a new pair of shoes. The simple addition of summery socks can completely change the appearance and effect of your shoes, allowing for seamless combinations with great summer outfits.

The summertime is the perfect time for fun, colorful socks with interesting patterns and out-of-the-ordinary colors. Whether paired with classic summer shoes or more traditional footwear, summery socks will definitely impart a casual zing that can make almost any shoe beach or resort-appropriate.

Considering Going Barefoot? Know This First!

Many elegant men in warmer climates seemingly have no socks when they wear shoes. Some find this idea unhygienic and preposterous while others strive for that elegant look.

Many types of soft, unlined leather casual shoes can indeed be worn barefoot without getting blisters. On the other hand, regular leather dress shoes will often give you blisters when worn barefoot. So how do those shoeless wonders pull off that look? They wear invisible socks or removable cotton insoles.

What Not To Wear

Save Some Shoes for When You’re Poolside or Beachside

As you pass from your deck chair to the pool or cross the sand of the beach towards the sea, it makes perfect sense to wear an easy-to-remove shoe like a flip-flop or slide sandal. Outside of the pool and beach, however, shoes like these are simply too casual to feature in the Classic Style. Therefore, we recommend that you avoid wearing the following shoes unless you are doing so under very particular circ*mstances.

Sandals, Flip-Flops, and Slides

Even though quite popular, extremely casual footwear like sandals and flip-flops arepractical only when on the beach, on the lido deck of a cruise ship, or by the pool, and are rarely flattering in other situations. If you are interested in cultivating the Classic Style, we suggest that outside of these areas, you should not wear them.

Shoes like these may offer great ventilation, but with their unusual profile, exposed straps, and skeletonized appearance, they are simply too casual for anything but the most casual of occasions. The simple fact of the matter is, that wearing sandals, flip-flops, and slides outside of pool-like areas is just not compatible with the Classic Style.

Many people assume that more expensive examples of these shoes, like a pair of designer leather sandals, are acceptable. While they might be an upgrade from plastic, more expensive materials and workmanship does not compensate for the fact that the fundamental style of sandals is so casual.

While they may cost more than a pair of leather dress shoes, those designer slides simply won’t fit in at the captain’s table or while enjoying a luxurious lobster dinner in a fine restaurant.

Crocs

Hybrid Shoes

There is a new breed of shoes coming out called hybrids whose role in Classic menswear is still being decided. While rules have not yet been firmly established to fully govern when and how you wear hybrids, existing parameters can be used as guides.

In general, you will be better off investing in two pairs of shoes that do two different things very well, rather than buying one pair of shoes that does not do much of anything very well. This fact is especially true when it comes to relatively specialized summer shoes.

Conclusion

Summer shoes are a wonderful addition to your seasonal wardrobe and make your outfits special. Investing in summer shoes will allow you create exciting new summer looks that put the finishing touches on your summer outfits. Even if you cannot buy new summer shoes, take advantage of new summery laces or socks to give your all-year shoe collection a summer makeover.