The British summer can be a tricky time sartorially. It’s difficult to predict what the weather will be doing from one day to the next, and it’s not unusual to discover that the shoes you left the house in at 8am are completely unsuitable by 11am.
We do happen to be experiencing some lovely weather this month (interspersed with the rain, naturally) and you may be considering what the best shoes are to wear on the hottest summer days.
For those of you who aren’t a fan of sandals or flip flips (we hear you…) there are a number of key factors to keep in mind.
Natural materials
Natural materials are far more breathable than their artificial counterparts and will therefore be more comfortable to wear on hot days. We recommend leather, suede or natural canvas.
Material thickness
Generally speaking, the thinner the shoe material, the cooler your feet. Very fine leathers and suedes are often a good summer choice as they will help to prevent your feet getting too hot.
Shoe cut
The cut of the shoe can make a big different in how cool your feet feel. Obviously footwear that comes up over your ankle such as Chelsea boots or Chukka boots will be much warmer to wear. Lower cut shoes such as Derbys or Oxfords will be better, but more summer-friendly footwear types such as loafers, boat shoes or moccasins will be even cooler.
The sock issue
Socks can add an extra layer of warmth that you just don’t need in the summer. To stay smart and comfortable, you may choose to wear shoes that can be worn without the need for socks. However, some gentlemen find that this is actually counterproductive and they are more comfortable with light cotton socks in between their skin and their shoes.
Got a specific event coming up this summer that you need shoe advice for? These suggestions might be just what you’re looking for.