7 Summer Shoes From Around the World to Add to Your Rotation
Man cannot live on flip-flops alone. The basic, beachy style is fine for the seaside—but questionable everywhere else. Yet it remains, for many, the avatar of the summer shoe. Not for you, of course. You’re the kind of stylish guy who knows that the footwear spectrum contains multitudes. You see the value of sandals that work for the beach, slip-ons that work for the city—plus something suited for the journey between the two. But even the savviest shopper needs a jolt of inspiration from time to time. So if your go-to summer shoes are feeling a little stale, consider one of these options. From sun-drenched Spain to camp-obsessed Maine, each of them comes from a place where crafting warm-weather footwear is a time-tested tradition, so they’re the perfect way to upgrade pretty much any outfit from now until the first frost arrives.
Huaraches – Mexico
Dating all the way back to pre-Columbian Mexico, huaraches have known many forms over the centuries. The early ones were quite simple. Nowadays? You can find options ranging from sleek and streamlined to robust and ornate. Cheaper versions are easy to find, but it’s worth paying a little more to get a pair that stays true to its roots with hand-woven leather uppers that’ll mold to your feet as you wear them.
Wear ’em with: pleated chino shorts and a white linen shirt
Kilim Loafers – Turkey
Made from local flat-woven rugs called kilim, Artemis Design Co.’s loafers are crafted by a second-generation cobbler in Istanbul. Though the textiles themselves are on the younger side of vintage—up to around 30 years old—the motifs you’ll see in the designs date back hundreds of years. As for the shape of these loafers? It’s actually inspired by a different part of the world: England, where the Prince Albert slipper originated in the 1800s.
Wear ’em with: a super-lightweight navy suit and a gold dress watch
Camp Mocs – Maine
A quintessential preppy slip-on, the camp moc has reigned supreme in Maine since it was invented by Leon Leonwood Bean in 1936. The full moccasin construction—in which the leather of the upper wraps around the underside of the foot—offers lightweight support, flexibility, and a whole lot of comfort. With everything from chino shorts to crispy nylon swim trunks to a (very casual) suit, this one’s a true northeastern classic.
Wear ’em with: crinkly nylon hiking shorts and a well-loved graphic tee
Canvas Slip-ons – California
Vans aren’t made in the States anymore, but their soul still resides on the West Coast. Go on. Name a more Californian shoe than a canvas checkerboard slip-on with a waffle sole. We’ll wait. Dating back to 1977 but catapulted into the international consciousness in 1982 thanks to Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the slip-on is an icon of skater (and stoner) culture that’s unrivaled when it comes to summer footwear. Just get a new pair when things heat up, wear them into the ground all season long, and do it all again next year.
Wear ’em with: white jeans and a printed camp-collar shirt
Driving Shoes – Italy
The pebble soles on a pair of Tod’s Gomminos aren’t just for aesthetics. Those little rubber nubs were initially devised to grip the pedal of a presumably very fast Italian roadster while staying as flexible as possible. They were a runaway success among Hollywood A-listers and high-rolling royals after they first arrived in the late 1970s. But even if you’re just shuffling around the neighborhood, they’re a great way to channel those dolce vita vibes.
Wear ’em with: frayed chinos, a boxy tee, and a whole lot of attitude
Fisherman Sandals – Greece
No need to get all gladiatorial. The strappiest of strappy sandals may be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “Greek sandals,” but the low-top, caged design of the fisherman sandal is far easier to wear. The story goes that that blend of airiness and support has made the style a hit with—you guessed it—fishermen since the classical era. It’s those same attributes that make it such a great go-to shoe today.
Wear ’em with: wide-leg black trousers and a crisp, white shirt
Espadrilles – Spain
Though they started as cheap, practical shoes for Mediterranean farmers and peasants, espadrilles have become a summertime staple, with versions available at pretty much any price. You can still find them with traditional soles made from rope—the name derives from the esparto grass used to weave it—but many modern iterations now use rubber underfoot for a little more durability and adorn the midsoles with jute as a nod to the espadrille’s origins.
Wear ’em with: intricately pattered drawstring trousers and a knitted polo
Photographs: Chelsie Craig
Prop styling: Heather Greene
Executive Producer/Director: Dorenna Newton
Director of Photography: Elyssa Aquino
Video Editor: Josh Archer @therealjosharcher
Contributing Visual Director: James Morris
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