Julie Rath: Summer Footwear

Even naked isn’t naked enough in the ridiculous heat and humidity we’ve been  having on the east coast. In my last article, I listed hot weather survival measures for  clothing and grooming, but this time shoes are on my mind. If you’ve never  switched up your footwear when the temperature rises and your dogs start  barking, I urge you to consider it. You’ll look more seasonally appropriate, and  your feet will thank you. Read on for Rath-approved picks in 8 categories of  summer footwear.

1) Espadrilles These stylishly nonchalant espadrilles  from Castañer ($150) are an excellent alternative to flip-flops  for those wanting more toe coverage.

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2) Leisure Shoes Ok, so this category is totally made-up.  But the name fits these Riviera shoes ($80), doesn’t it? Don’t wear for anything  other than leisure. ____________________________________________________________________________________

3) The Mandal (if you dare) If you’re a Rath & Co.  client, you know I’m big into the messages that one’s appearance gives off. In  the case of mandals, most of what I see around says, “I’m sensitive and I recycle.” While these are no doubt  virtues, there’s no need to express them via your footwear. My suggestion: ditch  the Velcro and bungee cords, and dial it back with a simpler, more classic  version of the mandal, like the pair above from Alvaro ($295). When buying mandals, I highly recommend  trying on in the store before committing. You need to see them on your feet in  order to know if they’re going work for you. ____________________________________________________________________________________

4) Flip-Flops Not ready to go full-mandal but still want  to give those dogs some breathing room? Try a leather flip-flop like these from Olukai ($85). It’s classier than the rubber or fabric  versions. Just promise you’ll only wear it for beach and pool. ____________________________________________________________________________________

5) Bucks More office-friendly than the other options  above, bucks work for casual to moderately dressy places of work like  advertising agencies or web development firms. Wear a pair like the ones above  from J. Crew ($198) with summery chino and seersucker suits or  with button-up shirts and chinos.

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6) Buck Alternatives If bucks are too much for you, try a  casual lace-up sans rubber sole for a similar, but less statement-y look. I have  my eye on these from Crockett & Jones ($505) for a couple of clients. They’re  unlined and light weight which = summer perfection in my book. ____________________________________________________________________________________

7) Slip-Ons Excellent with everything from a summer suit  to shorts, these leather  slip-ons ($150) are modeled after a traditional Indian sailing vessel, the  Kishtee. Think of them as the cooler, older brother to your traditional deck  shoe. They’re also great for travel because they’re so lightweight.

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8) Social Sneaks These are the sneakers you don’t wear to the gym. I like the clean lines of Fred Perry’s Seabrights ($125) for a timeless look.

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What’s your footwear of choice this summer? As always, I love hearing from  you. Leave me a comment below, or if you’d like more tailored help with your  summer footwear game, contact me.