Men’s Alternative Summer Shoes

 

It has long been said that a man is first judged on his shoes, then his timepiece. But in this digital age, where every gent has a clock on his smartphone, a watch is no longer deemed essential. As such, your choice of footwear has never been so important; a bad pair of shoes will instantly ruin even the greatest outfit.
No wonder the majority tend to play it safe when it comes to their shoe choice. In fact, you could argue that a man can get by on just three pairs: brown brogues, black Derbies/Oxfords and white leather trainers – but where’s the fun in that?
Having already offered suggestions on alternative summer tops and outerwear this season, today we bring you three footwear styles that will help breathe life into your current warm-weather collection…

Statement Trainers

The statement trainer has been big business of late and in many ways epitomises the continued blurring of lines between sportswear and fashion.
Regular readers will most likely already own a neutral pair of trainers, which bring a timeless casual slant to any look, but why not consider expanding your repertoire with a bolder pair that pulls no punches?
Menswear is no longer afraid of pattern and colour; it fully embraces it in every department, including footwear. There isn’t a default silhouette, brand or model that you need to stick to here: retro runners are experiencing a renaissance, slip-ons are trending this year and low-tops seem set to reclaim their crown from ubiquitous hi-top versions come 2015.
In short, trainers are a modern must-own, no matter what guise, shape or form you opt for. Your choice of colour and/or print is the only real consideration, yet it’s not something we can answer for you – let taste and personal style dictate. That said, here are some general guidelines to bear in mind:
Floral and camo patterns refuse to go away and, against all odds, have cemented themselves as perennial print trends over recent years. So if you’re searching for a trend-led pair that will stay in vogue for many seasons to come, both of these motifs are safe bets.
If you’re still unsure of patterned footwear, bold block-colour trainers are designed to grab attention and when combined with neutral summer basics, will quickly define your outfit. Textured pairs like the adidas Gazelle or Puma Suede are far less obnoxious than all-leather versions (due to the mattifying effect of suede) yet still offer a welcome injection of colour while keeping things mature and refined.
Finally, look out for limited editions, designer collaborations or retailer exclusives – these are not only rarer and therefore more individual, they come with added style kudos too.

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