Men’s Sandals
From LoveToKnow Shoes
The Problem With Men's Sandals
Men's sandals. One of the most difficult forms of footwear known to, well, man. While women get it easy, with a wide choice of strappy sandals, cute flats and flattering-but-comfortable platforms, the choice in men's sandals has never been particularly awe inspiring. When summer comes along then, most men are thrown into a quandary. Just where do they find footwear that will keep them cool but not leave them too embarrassed to leave home?
Sandal Styles
As with any other form of footwear there are a few different styles of men's sandals available, and the style you choose is largely a matter of personal choice.
Slip-Ons Slip-ons are exactly what the name suggests: sandals you slip your feet right into, and back out of. Easy to wear and comfortable, these are definitely best worn with bare feet. Socks are too slippery, and can leave you walking right out of your shoes!
Thong Sandals Similar to slip-ons, thong sandals also feature a thin piece of leather or plastic which slips between your toes when your wear them. As painful as this sounds, thong sandals are actually surprisingly comfortable, and for this reason they're often seen on the beach, where they're better known as flip-flops.
Strappy Sandals Don't worry, these aren't the same strappy sandals you're used to hearing your girlfriend talking about! Instead, they're simply sandals with straps. One of the most popular styles of men's sandals around, these are probably the most casual style. They'll look good with jeans or shorts, but may not be appropriate for a more formal setting.
Where to Buy Men's Sandals
You'll find men's sandals anywhere you find men's shoes, with departments stores and shoe retailers a good place to start your search. Here are some more places to find the right men's sandals to match your summer wardrobe:
One of the biggest names around in sandals, Birkenstock has attracted a huge following with their high quality, high style sandals. You'll find every style imaginable under the Birkenstock brand. A good pair of Birkenstocks will see you through several summers, too, thanks to the hard-wearing design.
No search for shoes would be complete without a visit to Zappos, one of the internet's largest footwear retailers. Zappos stocks a large number of different brands, and you can search for sandals by style, price, size, color and even width.
Cabelas sandals come in a range of styles, and you can also shop here for water shoes--sandals made of waterproof material which you can wear on the beach and even in the ocean if you so desire!
Another great source of shoes of every size, color and description imaginable, Shoes.com offer men's sandals from big-names brands such as Adidas and Nike.
How to Wear Sandals
Many men find sandals difficult. Used to sticking to trusty old sneakers for casual wear and leather slip-ons or lace-ups for the office, the sandal is uncharted territory. The biggest mistake men tend to make when wearing sandals is to wear them with socks. While sports socks and sandals look bad enough, though, black, brown or grey formal socks are twice as bad.
Men's sandals, just like women's sandals, are really supposed to be worn with bare feet. That means getting those feet in shape--yes, even if you're a guy! There are a large amount of salons now catering to men, and you may find a professional pedicure a surprisingly relaxing experience. A visit to the salon is also the ultimate way to prepare your feet for summer and sandals.
If you don't want to pay for a pedicure, it's easy to get your feet in shape at home. Just follow these tips for feet you want to show off:
- Keep toenails short and clean, by cutting in a straight line across the top of the nail. Never try to trim your nails in a curve as this can cause ingrown toenails.
- Use an exfoliator or foot file to remove any hard skin or calluses. Remember to repeat this procedure every so often, particularly in summer, when your feet will be on show.
- Invest in a good foot cream to keep your skin soft and smooth. Drugstore.com has a selection of footcare products made especially for men.
Learn More
Comments
Jeff, great comment! Thanks. I agree with your point, and it's also worth noting that many men have started indulging in regular pedicures to ensure that their toes look good. Maybe this "sandal shyness" will begin to dissipate over time, after all.
-- Contributed by: TsharmaMen have a sandal-phobia, a sandal shyness that is slowly fading but won't be gone anytime soon. Many guys secretly wish they could wear sandals with the same level of comfort and confidence which a woman takes for granted. In a world where male=macho, shoes with straps which show bare feet and toes just doesn't fit that image. Once men can overcome their embarrassment and realize that not everyone hinges their relationships based on what you may have on your feet, they may warm to the idea that sandals can be a part of their dialy attire. By the way, some women find men who can wear sandals with confidence a turn-on.
-- Contributed by: JeffThanks for your comments, ladies. I think we're all in perfect agreement about this one!
-- Contributed by: Tsharma
This page has been accessed 3,223 times. This page was last modified 15:49, 3 March 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Visit us on facebook