“Picture if Jesus were a supermodel,” says Eric Himel, stylist and fashion expert. “What would he wear on his feet?” The answer is abundantly clear. Why, sandals, of course.
But men’s sandals have gotten a bad reputation. Nightmarish thoughts of black-gartered socks spring to mind, or 1950s fathers waving while mowing the lawn in plaid summer shorts.
As the weather gets warmer, however, sandals are simply practical footwear. It’s high time to dispel the bad reputation and get some advice on how to actually look good in sandals.
“Think of a sandal in the context of a shoe, and not swimwear,” says Himel. “Pair them with sleek, fitted shorts, linen pants or even a suit in a Tropical setting.” Himel warns that “flip flops are not actual footwear” and should be avoided. Avoid also anything that tries to combine action sports and strappy footwear or even hippie-inspired choices. That just makes our expert think “bad hygiene.” Opt, instead, for Himel’s advice of “anything with unexpected materials like rope and suede. Look for styles that have a strap that goes around your heel.”
A few final words of caution: Though no one knows why or how the sandal and sock marriage came into being, it needs to be dissolved. Whether white or black, socks remain in the drawer when there are sandals on the feet.
