Men’s Style Alert: Stepping Out in Style with Classic Spring/Summer Shoes

As temperature rise, we yearn to be more comfortable in our daily wardrobe. We swap heavy fabrics for light-gauge garments, we replace drab colors with bright hues, and we trade cumbersome boots for lighter, more stylish shoes.

Men have taken a page from the women’s playbook, and have begun to understand that the right pair of shoes can make or break an outfit. Men are more and more expanding their sartorial repertoire by experimenting with different colors, materials, and styles of footwear. Legendary fashion columnist George Frazier once said “Wanna know if a man is well dressed? Look down.” Whether you’re a purist or if you’re more avant garde, Fashion Reverie has compiled a small selection of shoes that can highlight your wardrobe and get your fancy feet the attention they deserve.

When it comes to dressing, some men like to err on the side of caution and stick with more traditional styles of footwear. Harris’ Balmorals cap-toe harks of a typical cap-toe, but offers a mixture of brown patinas to distinguish it from the rest of the brown lace-ups. The Rothschild full brogue (wingtip) by Gaziano and Girling is an excellent choice for the gentleman who is more serious-minded about fashion, yet wants his look to seem effortless. John Lobb’s Philip II Double Buckle (double monk strap) is well suited for the man who wants to be fashion forward, yet understated.

Some men like the aesthetic of classic shoes, but prefer a more contemporary approach. The Leo by Pelleline is a mixed material cap-toe of leather and suede that exudes the wearers’ willingness to take risks with his wardrobe. Stefano Castelli presents a red lace-up with a perforated toe that represents a man who knows how to make a statement without even saying a word. Doucal’s gives us a taupe captoe with stitching replacing the traditional brogue perforations, exhibiting a man who knows how to take an old style and make it his own.

In warmer months, a lot of men opt for casual, toned-down attire. LuckNow’s Rio moccasins will have your feet stand out in any situation. Mr. Hare’s Sergio driving shoe (shown here in their “Mimosa” colorway) is for the man who wants to be stylish and comfortable whether behind the wheel or walking down the street. Paul Smith collaborated with John Lobb on the cashmere suede Willoughby (shown here in regal purple) to create a derby that is sure to be a show-stopper on any occasion.

As the warmer months afford us the opportunity to hang out more, some of us look for shoes that can work from the early evening to the wee hours of the morning. Whether you call them slippers, slip-ons, or loafers, they are the ultimate in casual comfort. Del Toro’s canvas slipper in cobalt blue will electrify any outfit, day or night. The Stanton slip-on by John Varvatos is made of grained, black leather, and is inconspicuous enough to wear to the office. The Alberto Moretti loafer has wide diagonal stripes of calf hair that let people know that this shoe is cool and comfy on the outside as well as the inside.

—Carl Ayers