The Australian summer asks a lot of a shoe. It has to handle sticky days, spontaneous trips to the seaside, and a leisurely lunch that turns into a late-night meal. Ideally, that shoe should both look good and feel comfortable. Luckily, you don’t need a huge rotation. A few key styles will keep you looking the part from the first sunny weekend in spring until the last warm evenings of March. Here are the top summer shoes for men this season and how to wear them.
What to Look for in a Summer Shoe?
source: aquila.com.au
Before you pick a style, it helps to know what makes a shoe work in the heat. Breathability comes first: soft, supple leather and lighter constructions keep your feet cooler and more comfortable as the temperature climbs. Next is versatility. The best summer male shoes move easily from the beach to a bar without a change, and neutral tones like tan, sand, navy and white make that simple. Finally, comfort and quality matter more than usual, because you’ll be on your feet longer and often without socks. Good materials and a well-made sole mean a shoe that stays comfortable and looks better with age. Keep those three things in mind, and the rest is just choosing what suits your style.
Breathable Leather Casual Shoes
The best all-rounder is a good pair of casual leather shoes. They can easily take you from a pleasant summer day at the beach to a walk through town and then to a casual dinner. What counts here is breathability – lighter constructions and softer leathers keep your feet comfortable even at high temperatures without losing the polish that makes a shoe look considered rather than careless.
White Leather Sneakers
While there are many footwear styles that make the grade each summer season, none do quite like the classic white leather sneaker. It’s simple and elegant, and it matches just about any outfit, from shorts and a T-shirt combo to a more put-together pair of jeans and a pressed button-down.
It all starts with the leather itself, which won’t look ragged after a few wears as most canvas sneakers will. Just keep a cloth around, give your shoes a quick wipe-down each time you put them on, and they’ll stay looking sharp.
Boat Shoes
Boat shoes are enjoying a well-deserved return to the fashion scene. Created for ship residence, they fit equally well for a seaside stroll or backyard barbecue as they are for life on a ship.
Just remember to keep the rest of your outfit pared back, either by wearing no-show socks or going barefoot and leaving the rest of your look understated and laid-back. They make for great travel shoes, too.
Loafers
When it comes to mixing sophistication with a laid-back look, loafers are a favourite men’s summer footwear. A tassel or penny loafer in tan, chocolate brown or even navy can take you to your wedding or business lunch, looking trendier than any laced dress shoe.
Summer loafers come in soft and light leathers and unstructured designs, making them softer on the feet. Pair them with tailored shorts or chinos and a linen shirt for a polished but effortless look.
Slip-On Shoes
On those busy days when you need to get out fast, slip-on footwear is an easy option. Whether you choose a leather slip-on sneaker or a laceless casual shoe, the convenience factor is obvious. They’re great for travelling or running errands on the weekend and ideal for standing in an airport queue.
Choose models that come with some cushioning and grip if you are going to walk more. The low-key look of this type of footwear matches casual clothes best, such as a classic tee, summer shorts, or even linen pants.
How to Style Men’s Summer Shoes?
Good summer dressing is about finding the right balance. If your footwear is relaxed, such as slip-ons or boat shoes, add a little structure to the rest of your outfit, perhaps a fitted shirt or tailored shorts. For sharper shoes, such as loafers, try to relax the outfit with linen shirts and rolled sleeves. Limit the colour palette to white, navy, sand and olive and use your shoes as that one fancy element of the outfit. Expose your ankles because crop pants and cuffs suit summer better, and pair your shoes with a belt to keep everything matching and effortless.
Looking After Leather in the Heat
Leather in summer isn’t a problem, but it does appreciate a little attention. A few habits go a long way:
- Rotate your pairs. Giving shoes a day to air out between wears helps them dry properly and keeps them fresh.
- Wipe off sand and salt. After a beach day, a quick brush or damp cloth stops grit and salt from settling into the leather.
- Keep them out of a hot car. Heat can dry out and warp leather over time, so don’t leave your shoes in the boot on a scorching afternoon.
- Condition regularly. A bit of shoe care keeps leather supple and protects it through the season.
Bottom Line
The most popular summer male shoes share a few things in common: they are all lightweight, comfortable, and stylish. Breathable casual shoes cover your everyday, white leather sneakers make weekends more fun, and boat shoes bring an effortlessly cool vibe to any look. And then you just throw in a pair of loafers for more dressed-up occasions, and you’re set for just about anything the season throws at you.
Focus on comfort, not the number of shoe pairs; keep your outfit simple, and let the shoes do the talking. After all, summer is short and best enjoyed with good footwear.