With temperatures rising and holidays approaching, it’s time to let your feet breathe in a pair of men’s sandals. From easy, slip-on sliders to sporty, touch-fasten sandals, there’s a wide range of designs available. But how do you find the right style for you?
In this guide, we’ll talk you through our top tips to choosing the perfect sandals – including different outfit options and how to get your feet ready to bare all.
So, whether you’re packing for a holiday or just looking for an everyday summer sandal, our guide has you covered.
Read on to find out how to select, style and wear your men’s sandals.
When it comes to styling men’s sandals, it’s important to consider the bigger picture. Think about the occasion and your existing wardrobe – do you need something that works with trousers or are you looking for an everyday sandal?
You’ll also need to make sure your sandals are comfortable and supportive, to keep your feet feeling healthy and happy.
Below, you’ll find our top tips for wearing men’s sandals this summer:
Whether you’re going out for a meal on holiday or just lounging around the house, shorts and sandals are a winning combination.
Pair sporty sandals and sliders with lightweight, jersey shorts for a casual everyday look. Flip-flops are perfect for around the pool in your swim trunks, while smarter, leather sandals look great with tailored, chino shorts.
While sliders, flip-flops and sports sandals are a no-go in the office, leather sandals are a great way to achieve that smart-casual look – perfect for relaxed dress codes and beach wedding shoes.
If you’re going to wear sandals to work or a special occasion, make sure you wear a good-quality pair. A dark pair of Birkenstock-style sandals with some pin-rolled black trousers and a shirt is a very strong office look that will set your feet free.
For a really stylish men’s sandals look, keep your outfit fairly monochrome and avoid garish prints. This doesn’t necessarily mean black, white and grey – just pick a colour scheme and stick to it.
You can even swap out the shorts and suits for a classic pair of jeans. It might be tricky to get right first time, but it can be done.
To pull off sandals with jeans:
Again, try to avoid flip-flops and sliders with jeans – you need a dressier pair of sturdy sandals to make this one work.
Once a fashion faux pas, socks and sandals have been making a comeback on catwalks across the globe – and when done right, they can actually look good.
Just tread carefully with this quirky combination. Balance out the summery vibe of your sporty sandals or sliders with thick, textured socks. Be a bit savvy with pleasing colour combinations and make sure your socks are clean.
This isn’t one for the office either, so save this look for the weekend. And be prepared to attract some curious glances.
Where sandals are concerned, it’s quite common to want to wear a size up as they’re more comfortable. However, shoes that are too loose won’t support your feet properly, causing your ankles to rotate and putting pressure on your joints.
Instead, you should go for a sandal that offers a snug fit without rubbing your feet. To test whether they rub, try them on at the end of the day when your feet are slightly larger.
For more advice on getting your sandal sizing right, check out our Men’s Sandals Fitting Guide.
Men’s sandals come in a range of different styles. So, if you’re having trouble finding something that fits correctly, you might want to change the design instead of the size.
Sliders and flip-flops are great shoes for around the house or on the beach but may not offer enough support for walking around the high street.
In this instance, stick to sandals with straps that fasten over the bridge of the foot and round the back of the heel. Not only does this keep your ankles secure, but it also allows them to be adjusted where needed.
Keeping your toes in tip-top shape is a vital part of feeling confident in your sandals. Nobody wants to feel uncomfortable or self-conscious about their nails being too long.
Just follow these easy steps to keep your feet neat and presentable:
Smelly feet can be a problem in summer, especially when you’re going barefoot in your shoes, as you’ve not got socks to wick away any moisture. Here are some ways you can keep your feet and sandals smelling fresh:
If leather sandals are your style preference, make sure they are broken in before you wear them out all day – to avoid rubbing and blisters. You can do this by wearing them for short periods of time to get used to the shape or adding thick socks to stretch them out.
Some stylists even suggest spritzing your new leather sandals with water and wearing them damp. This helps soften the leather and moulds the shoes to the shape of your feet.
You should also make sure you look after the leather. Use our handy guide to learn more about how to protect your leather shoes.
With so many men’s sandals on the market at the moment, there’s plenty of opportunity to experiment with your style. From changing up the colour to adding interesting details, such as leatherwork or buckles, the options are endless.
Just make sure you don’t go too overboard with straps and embellishment or colours that clash with your outfit, as this can distract from the overall look.
The only exception is pool sliders. As these are inherently more casual, you can get away with brighter colours that suit your summer holiday vibe.
For more tips and tricks on choosing your footwear and keeping your shoes in top condition, check out our other shoezone Guides.