Men’s Sandals

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:

• Birkenstock.

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.

• Zappos

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

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!

• Shoes.com

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. [ http://www.drugstore.com/qxc76987_333181_sespider/mens_hand_and_foot_care/mens_hand_and_foot_care.htm Drugstore.com] has a selection of footcare products made especially for men.