Beach shoe without sacrificing style.

This seems to be a huge pitfall for most guys, and I'm having a hard time finding a clear solution. I prefer wearing nicer, more fashion forward things. I have some of AE's Independence line, some Santoni shoes, some Magnanni, and Carmina. Granted I'm not going to wear my suits/dress shoes to a shore outing, unless it is exclusively to hit up a nice bar right off the beach, and then I MIGHT consider dressing down a linen suit.

However overall I am really having trouble finding beach footwear that doesn't make me feel like a hippie in birkenstocks, or some drunken frat-boy in whatever it is that they wear. I also am not really all that into Vans or Sperry Topsider types of shoes, so I need some other sockless alternatives without sacrificing good taste. A good looking sandal, some kind of canvas shoe (espadrille-type?), and if I can, a beach suitable dress shoe.

I did manage to find a few decent looking items by Original Penguin, so I wanted to see if anybody could weigh in on them here on whether or not I could pair these off with a nice pair of linen trousers. Of course if anybody has good suggestions for other shoes or brands, I would welcome them. As I said this doesn't seem to be a really well covered topic.

http://www.originalpenguin.com/PASA...&start=20&cgid=opgaaprlsho&srule=best-matches

http://www.originalpenguin.com/BING-PENNY-LINEN-LOAFER/PBGL2013OP,default,pd.html

http://www.originalpenguin.com/ESPY-SLIP-ON/PESP5033OP,default,pd.html

http://www.originalpenguin.com/CORK...00&start=4&cgid=opgsandals&srule=best-matches

So...tasteful or tacky? Or what else?

just get yourself a pair of rainbow flip flops and call it a day.

don't try so hard.

Espadrilles, which the linked 'Espy slip-on' is modelled after.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for anybody but myself. I just feel more comfortable in put-together outfits.

That being said, I like espadrilles in general, just find most to be a little boxy looking. The one I linked was, as has been mentioned, only modeled after the traditional ones, and looked a little sleeker than most. I thought, anyway.



gtlam713 said:

The one I linked was, as has been mentioned, only modeled after the traditional ones, and looked a little sleeker than most. I thought, anyway. 

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Yes, I quite like them, I think they would be a decent choice.

The sandals or penny loafers both look okay as well tbh. On the other hand, the 'Pasatiempo' is ghastly.

I think this is an excellent question, especially for those of us who hate topsiders which may be the most obvious choice, but want to be more dressed up than 'rainbow flip flops' or Adidas slides or Teva Velcro sandals.

I saw Rivieras featured in GQ last month and though they might fit the bill but couldn't find the right size and colour combo for me. The mesh topped ones look most practical for beach wear.

Settled on a pair of navy linen Seavees, which are a bit like vans but more dressed. I reckon they could go from with shorts/trunks on the sand or poolside to with linen strides at the outdoor bar restaurant.

I then saw some similar looking shoes by Lacoste on eBay for a cheaper price.

Either way I would go for the rubber sole style shoe, which IMO looks better and is more robust and less sloppy looking than the rope soled espadrilles you see around. For the love of god stay away from Toms and Flossies.



gtlam713 said:

Don't get me wrong, I'm not doing this for anybody but myself. I just feel more comfortable in put-together outfits. 

Click to expand...

Put together outfits?

You're at the beach! You're presumably wearing swim trunks and a shirt.

Just let it go for a while.



Quadcammer said:

Put together outfits?
You're at the beach! You're presumably wearing swim trunks and a shirt.
Just let it go for a while.

Click to expand...

Who are you to be so practical, realistic and rational?! Sometimes you gotta rock a sportcoat to the beach, brah.



Warning: Once you read the article that image belongs to, your day will be instantly ruined.

The Riviera's and Seavees don't look bad at all. Still a little bit on the sneaker side, but I think I have some choices with the canvas slip on, now.

The tricky one I was looking for was the...beached down leather dress shoe. I kind of thought the woven part of the leather on those Pasatiempo's took it down a notch, but wasn't sure if they were ugly. AE had something similar but it too just...didn't look all that great, and AE tends to be a little too round-toed for my taste nowadays.

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF49346_1_40000000001_-1

I think you guys know what I am going for there. Is it the woven look itself that looks bad? Do you think that is something that can be pulled off? Or should I just stick to sandals and canvas slip ons/loafers, and leaver the dress shoe out entirely?

Let me clarify! I did not mean that I am going to be wearing these shoes...ON THE SAND. I meant beach more as a general destination. Like nice lounges and bars that open onto the beach, tiki bars, or lounging around in a beach house or summer house party. Thing's that just have a beach vibe, but not literally the beach. Forgive my lack of clarity.

Good lord, I didn't mean that I was going swimming in oxfords. Ban me from these boards the day I come and tell you about how great I looked today swimming in a suit. That guy in that picture above looks like the biggest d-bag in the world.

To my eye that AE shoe just looks like a more intricate design on a penny loafer type shape, and combined with being leather, I immediately think of no socks, khakis and sportcoat, not shorts/linens/beach.

Just read your clarification. If you want leather then take a look at driving mocs. I love them. They get a lot of stress on here for being so fragile but aside from Tods there are loads of versions with a more robust sole these days, which might not get you up Kilimajaro but will last several summers walking from the car to the diner, bar, strip mall, boardwalk, etc.

Sorry, I REALLY messed this post up. I realize now that I wasn't clear at all.

The sandals would be worn with a bathing suit, on the beach.
The loafers/espadrilles would be worn with chinos or linen pants, after the beach, after changing, around town.
The dress shoe that I am trying to find would be worn with a linen suit, and would more likely be for what happens with evening plans, in some tropical and/or beachy setting. I just think most dress shoes look odd sockless, and was trying to find some sort of way to give it a beachy-vibe and have it not look odd sans socks.

Ianiceman, I just read YOUR clarification on my clarification, thanks for all the help. I guess the general consensus is that the woven leather look is a little tacky. I'll give driving moccasins a look into, I hadn't really looked at many.

For driving mocs the issue is more colour and comfort than snootiness over build quality or location of the maker. You can get black and brown by the likes of Steve Madden or Geox in any DSW. The Herrington catalogue has RLP ones in several colours. Or try www.finsforhim.com for some bright coloured suedes.

Just wear penny loafers.