The holidays are coming.
Summer is here, gentlemen. The sun is out… are your toes showing? Anyway, it’s sandal season. While we love eclectic style, certain fashion choices are a big no-no (wearing socks with Crocs? We’re looking at you guys). We’ve rounded up a few pairs of sandals you can wear to the office this summer for a casual, breathable look.
Let us know which pair is your favorite and if there are any styles we’ve missed!
I bought my first pair of Birkenstocks my senior year of high school and wore them through college until they literally fell apart. I’m now on my third pair in 20 years and although they’re not cheap, they’re well made and worth the money.
Arizona loves them because the suede straps are gentle against the skin and the open back encourages a natural gripping motion in the toes. They go well with shorts, jeans, chinos, and pretty much any outfit other than a suit.
Birkenstock Arizona EVA, $49.95
I’ll be honest, when these sandals first came out I was against them. Who the hell wants foam Birkenstocks? But I ended up buying a pair. You know what you can do in these sandals? You can do literally anything: a day at the beach, scooping dog poop, walking in the creek, bathing your Bernese Mountain Dog in the backyard (I know I’m getting a bit too specific).
Bottom line: These sandals can withstand heavy use and getting wet (you don’t want to get your suede Birkenstocks wet!), just rinse them off and you’re good to go. I’ve had these same sandals for two years now and they’re still like new.
Rainbow “301Alts” Sandals, $59.99
I’m not personally a flip-flop wearer, but if there was one brand I would buy, it’s Rainbow. Rainbow is the quintessential Apple story, starting with one guy in a California garage who bought a $200 sewing machine and enough materials to make six pairs of sandals. Once they sold, he made 12 more pairs, and now Rainbow makes 2 million pairs of sandals every year.
All Rainbow sandals are still handmade, and this model has a nubuck leather upper that feels great on your foot. They come in eight colors, but my favorite is the forest green one.
Made in the Mexican (Yucantán, to be exact) style for hundreds of years, huarache were originally made from fibers of the agave plant but were quickly replaced by leather. Your grandfather wore huarache sandals to a Beach Boys concert and they’ve been in style ever since.
These shoes from Nisolo are hand-woven by artisans who are paid a fair living wage (Nisolo’s promise). The leather is water-resistant and the non-slip rubber soles will prevent you from falling on wet decks. Huaraches look great with sandals, but their closed toe makes them great with summer work clothes too.
Viscata Canvas Espadrilles, $109.95
I’ve written about espadrilles before, so I’ll just briefly explain them here. a little bit Like sandals. Originally named after the type of grass used for the soles, these timeless shoes are now most commonly made with jute and canvas uppers – the canvas allows your feet to breathe, while the jute soles protect them from the ground.
Espadrilles are easy to slip on and off and fold flat for a trip to the beach. Wear them with shorts, swimsuits, jeans, chinos, etc. They go with literally everything except a suit.
I’ve written about Boston before, but clogs are not sandals. do not have Same goes for sandals. The best thing about suede clogs is that they’re a three-season shoe (or four, depending on where you live). Not only are they incredibly comfortable (the soft footbed molds to your foot and provides a great tactile feel), but they can also be styled any way you like.
In the summer, Boston shoes are great with shorts. In the fall, pair them with jeans, a sweater, and Fair Isle socks. The combinations are endless, and they can seamlessly go from around the house to taking your shoes shopping.
Mohinder’s Woven City Slippers, $165
If you’re looking for a summer sandal that’s more breathable than a Boston sandal, try the Woven City Slippers. Part clog, part huarachi, part Wildcard, these sandals are handwoven in a small village in India, with vegetable-tanned leather sourced from a neighboring village. Their open back gives them a decidedly casual look, but you could also sneak them into the office on a Friday with slim chinos and a polo.
The secret weapon of these sandals is their crepe rubber sole, which I find to be the most comfortable type of sole out there. Crepe rubber is lightweight yet provides great support, so you never seem to tire (that’s the best way to put it).
Cole Haan Nantucket Sandals, $99.95
There’s nothing wrong with those all-foam Adidas sandals you wore to the shower in college, but all-foam sandals are what you wear to the shower in college. And I know what you’re thinking: “But what if I bought a pair of foam sandals that say Balenciaga on the top?” Then you’d just spend $400 on $0.58 worth of rubber.
If you like slides, choose something more sophisticated like crisscross straps. Cole Haan’s leather strap sandals are subtle and understated, making them a sophisticated, grown-up addition to any casual outfit.
