• Men’s Fashion Trends

Men’s SS14 Footwear Trend: Sandals

Style Sin Or Summer Must-Own?

Straddling the divide between style staple and style sin, the sandal, in its many forms, is one of the most polarising pieces in menswear. The stigma attached to sandals is undeniable and perhaps even warranted after decades of misuse, but with summer dressing a balancing act between practicality and style, they’re arguably the perfect warm-weather shoe: breathable, comfortable and smart. Not only that, based on the SS14 runways, it seems the industry is determined to make sandals the go-to footwear silhouette for summer 2014. Yet unlike previous years, it’s not just avant-garde gladiator styles that are being pushed this season – the sandal has taken on a more wearable form that should help increase its appeal to the everyday male. With this in mind, today we bring you the complete guide to this soon to be summer staple, breaking down the key silhouettes to consider and how to wear them in a contemporary and stylish way.

Sandal Buying Tips

First things first, it’s time to get those cuticles in order – socks and sandals is still a definite faux pas (no matter how hard designers attempt to convince you otherwise), therefore toes and feet must be kept in tip-top shape (consider a pedicure). No one wants to see hairy feet and/or unkempt toenails. When it comes to purchasing a pair of sandals for your wardrobe, bear in mind the following:

• Leather Over Plastic: Leather sandals are not only smart, stylish and timeless, they’re also vastly more comfortable than those made of synthetic materials, especially once they begin to soften and mould to your feet.
• You Get What You Pay For: Consider sandals a warm-weather investment and staple you will get good use out of for many years to come. A well-crafted pair in high quality leather will hold up much better than cheap imitations and should offer more support for your soles.
• Skip The Flip-Flop: this rubber footwear choice of Hollister models and worshippers everywhere is horrific for the health of your feet – and that’s without even considering the dreadful noise they make and their limited style credentials. If you must persist with this silhouette, try a thong sandal, which looks infinitely more sophisticated and refined.

The Gladiator

A silhouette traditionally associated with womenswear, the gladiator sandal – despite its name – is often dismissed as being too feminine to be a serious menswear option. Designers have long pushed the gladiator sandal on the runways due to their high fashion appeal and undeniably striking aesthetic. However, this backing has yet to translate into a genuinely wearable trend for men. That being said, with each spring/summer season that passes more high street retailers pick up on the style, with the likes of H&M, Zara and AllSaints pushing the gladiator in their SS14 lookbooks and campaigns. So this year, forget all about the calf-high variants that previously defined the style and opt for a more wearable low-cut silhouette. Whether you pair yours with linen trousers, tailoring separates or a classic shorts and polo combination, the gladiator makes a rugged and versatile alternative to ubiquitous espadrilles and boat shoes.

Lookbook Inspiration

Example Outfits

A minimalist gladiator alongside a statement suit is a trend-led combination that oozes effortless cool. Keep the suit fabric lightweight to ensure breathability and the sandals in a timeless shade of leather. Dress up this fashion-forward combination with a neutral/pastel shirt for a summer wedding reception or down with a printed tee to make a statement at any smart-casual function:

• Zara Leather Sandal With Straps
• Topman Brown Leather Smart Sandals
• Office Marbella Buckle Sandal Black Mono Leather
• Newbold Sandal
• Ancient Greek X Carven Cleon Leather Sandals 183386
• Jarid Kurt Geiger London Blue
• Lanvin Leather And Suede Sandals
• Dolce & Gabbana Burnished-leather Sandals
• Givenchy Swiss Sandals In Black Leather

Final Word

Practical, comfortable and now in vogue, it’s hard to argue against the sandal this season. A more refined and stylish alternative to flip-flops, invest in a timeless leather pair and you’re sure to get good use from them for many more summers to come. But now we want to hear your opinion:

• Is your stance on the sandal beginning to soften or are they still an unequivocal faux pas?
• Will you be investing in a pair of sandals this season?
• Which style has caught your eye?
• How do you like to integrate sandals into your own high summer outfits?

Let us know in the comments section below…

Alex Woodhall

A student and self-confessed fashion fanatic whose articles mainly focus on seasonal topics varying from trends to guides. As well as being a contributing writer at FashionBeans Alex maintains his own blog over at wardrobewarrior.co.uk.