 |
| © Tod's |
By Todd Sample
 |
| © Salvatore Ferragamo |
Shirts and pants aside, what we put on our feet in the summer months also impacts how comfortably we get through the day. From formal to casual, this edition of Todd's Wardrobe will cover the most stylish footwear options for the summer months.
Most people who work in a business environment have to maintain a certain level of professionalism in regard to their attire even in the summertime. Although women can get away with wearing open-toed shoes from June to August, men should not opt for sandals in the workplace. Instead, loafers are the way to go.
Cut lower than a traditional oxford, loafers allow more of the foot to be exposed to air which keeps them cooler. Common loafer styles are the penny loafer, so called because of a small slit in the shoe into which a small coin can fit; the tassel loafer with two leather tassels atop the front of the shoe; and the fringe loafer which gets its name from the fringed piece of leather the shoe features.
Since a loafer exposes more of the foot, close attention must be paid to your choice in socks. And yes, when wearing loafers to the office, going sockless should not be an option. Instead select a pair of colorful socks in cooler tones appropriate for the summer months.
For weekend loafering around, some sock makers are offering what are often referred to as invisible socks, or socks which just cover the base of the foot and can't be seen when a loafer is worn. Wearing invisible socks will ensure that your loafers won't start to emit a less-than-pleasant odor over time. When sporting a pair of loafers on the weekends or on vacation, there is nothing wrong with shortening the pant leg length by an inch or so.
Originating in the Pyrenees hundreds of years ago, espadrilles have today become a stylish go-to shoe style for the summer months. Traditionally constructed from a rope sole and a canvas upper and sold in solid tones or colorful prints, espadrilles are a perfect shoe for vacation when a loafer might be too formal and a sandal not formal enough.
Made in all shapes and designs, sandals are arguably the most versatile of summer footwear. Slipper-style leather sandals with an open back look terrific when paired with long pants or shorts. A smart-looking leather sandal can also nicely accent a casual summer suit made of cotton, linen, or seersucker. Although sandals made with colorful dyed leathers are easy to find today, opting for an earth-tone sandal will enable you to match the shoe with more diverse outfits.
Men wishing to make a positive impression with their summer sandals should select a simple, yet sophisticated looking sandal. Gents over thirty years old should forego the sandal style favored by granola types in their university days for a style which better suits their age. Yes, you know which sandal style I'm referring to.
In addition to the sandal styles we should gravitate toward, there are also several sandal don'ts we should keep in mind. Rule number one of summer sandal wearing is… no socks. The second don't is that athletic sandals should only be paired with exercise wear. Stylistically speaking, there's little less appealing than seeing someone trying to pull off a pair of cotton pants and a nice linen shirt with rubber sports sandals made for traversing riverbeds.
Since sandals are basically a show-it-all shoe style, the last thing to remember is to make sure your feet are in presentable shape for the hot weather. Getting a pedicure, for example, is one of the nicest treats a man can pamper himself with and will guarantee your feet are in tip-top sandal shape for the summer!
