Wednesday Mensday: The Great Summer Debate

Every year when the weather starts to get warm, the great summer debate begins: flip flops or sneakers with shorts?? Personally, all you guys should know you can get away with either one. BUT, that doesn’t mean it always looks good. Let me explain.

Flip flops are the ultimate summer shoe for guys. They are casual, cheap and comfy. Sneakers are the all-purpose, ready for anything shoe that can take you from Wrigley Field to Six Flags with the same easy style as flip flops, but more useful for long days on your feet. Here are the big problems between sneakers and flip flops. First, when I say sneakers, I mean sneakers–not your crazy running shoes or your basketball shoes or anything else remotely similar. I mean your going out, knocking around, hanging with the guys sneakers. When it comes to flip flops, that is literally what I mean–flip flops. No Jesus sandals, no slip on’s and definitely NO crocs!

Here are the DON’Ts for sneakers and flip flops. DON’T wear knee high socks with your sneakers or any high socks at all, keep the look simple with a nice pair of ankle socks underneath. DON’T wear really crazy sneakers that will draw a lot of attention to your feet. Summer is all about laid back style and if you’re wearing shorts and sneakers it definitely needs to be casual and simple. DON’T wear flip flops that are two sizes too big for you! Guys do this all time and it’s only a dis-service to their own tootsies. Take the extra thirty seconds and buy the pair that fits your foot, you will be a lot more comfortable.

Not a fan of either or just not sold on these ideas? Try out the best alternative: Boat Shoes! Boat shoes are perfect for summer and can be worn with shorts, jeans or casual pants. The bonus here is that they are comfortable like sneakers and breathe like flip flops. If you are going to try out the boat shoes DON’T wear socks with these. Imagine yourself literally getting on boat when you put them on, wearing socks out on the water would just be silly. The leather combos of boat shoes usually allow for plenty of breathing room avoiding a smelly pair of shoes at the end of the day, crisis averted.

Here are the top picks for sneakers, flip flops and boat shoes. Enjoy and as always, send me any ideas or comments you have!