Shoes, Shorts, and Summer sans Sneakers and Sandals

[blewnote1]

First, I totally get feeling hot and uncomfortable, especially in a jacket and tie. I just have never considered "leg heat" to be such torture as to merit wearing shorts in town.

Alternatives would include loose-fitting chinos, or tropical wool or linen trousers. The worst possible choice is denim, which to me is very hot.

Completely agree.

However to answer your question: if you're already dressed down to wearing shorts, I think the footwear is immaterial... sandals/loafers/espadrilles/boat shoes/etc, wear whatever is comfortable. If you want to avoid wearing shorts, you need to invest in clothing that will perform well in the heat.

As someone who lives in New Orleans (which is the epitome of hot and humid starting about now and going until late September), you need to look into loose fitting, breathable clothing. For pants, look for loose fitting linen dress pants that will let any slight breeze cool you off and not feel so constricting. I just got a pair of high twist loose woven wool pants to see how they fare, that could be another option.

If you feel strongly about having a tie on, make sure the shirt is linen or some gauzy type of open weave cotton, and the jacket is unlined linen or loose weave wool/silk/linen blend. Personally, I'm leaning towards ditching the tie during the hottest months and drawing from 1930's/1940's daytime resort wear for inspiration: knit t-shirts/polos, camp collar shirts, short sleeve button downs etc. paired with an unlined and breathable jacket. You're still wearing a jacket, but with significantly less material covering your body and leaving more skin exposed to the air. Depending on the shoe and the pants I think you may be able to get away with no-show socks without loafers (like suede derbies or bucks), which gives one more place for bare skin to be exposed to the air.

 

[maxalex]

Completely agree.

However to answer your question: if you're already dressed down to wearing shorts, I think the footwear is immaterial... sandals/loafers/espadrilles/boat shoes/etc, wear whatever is comfortable. If you want to avoid wearing shorts, you need to invest in clothing that will perform well in the heat.

As someone who lives in New Orleans (which is the epitome of hot and humid starting about now and going until late September), you need to look into loose fitting, breathable clothing. For pants, look for loose fitting linen dress pants that will let any slight breeze cool you off and not feel so constricting. I just got a pair of high twist loose woven wool pants to see how they fare, that could be another option.

If you feel strongly about having a tie on, make sure the shirt is linen or some gauzy type of open weave cotton, and the jacket is unlined linen or loose weave wool/silk/linen blend. Personally, I'm leaning towards ditching the tie during the hottest months and drawing from 1930's/1940's daytime resort wear for inspiration: knit t-shirts/polos, camp collar shirts, short sleeve button downs etc. paired with an unlined and breathable jacket. You're still wearing a jacket, but with significantly less material covering your body and leaving more skin exposed to the air. Depending on the shoe and the pants I think you may be able to get away with no-show socks without loafers (like suede derbies or bucks), which gives one more place for bare skin to be exposed to the air.

I used to know Dr. John through work (not close friends or anything but yeah) when he lived in NYC in the summer, which he always did--he had an apartment in upper Manhattan. One time I asked him why the **** he spent summers in the furnace of Manhattan. He said because New Orleans was too ******* hot. He wasn't a beach guy...also I never saw him in shorts.

 

[JFWR]

@JFWR, If you don't like sneakers or sandals and have are a tough fit for loafers, you might try desert boots They can look good w/ shorts imo:
View attachment 1790209
A crepe sole would be great for walking too. Similarly, bucks might work. If you didn't want to give up on loafers, I would guess that Rancourt would be able to find something that would fit you. Camp mocs are prob my favorite shoe to wear with shorts. If you don't like sandals because you don't like showing your toes, Birkenstock Bostons or Amsterdams could work well.

Yeah, I was thinking bucs, wasn't sure about desert boots. I have chukkas, but no proper desert boots.

 

[norMD]

Yeah, I was thinking bucs, wasn't sure about desert boots. I have chukkas, but no proper desert boots.

I would suggest a penny loafer of some sorts. Try some with different vamp heigth and you might find something that you like. Also beef-roll loafers can be nice. Rancourt has several good options. Alden lhs is a classic.

 

[mak1277]

Camp Mocs really are the answer here. I feel like they’re a better option for casual than penny loafers and you’d be surprised how far up the formality chain you can take them (DWW recently posted some pictures of John Updike in camp Mocs with tailored trousers and a sport coat).

They look good with shorts, chinos, fatigues…hard to beat in my book.

 

[pedroims]

My options for this summer.

Minimalist sneakers if I know I am going to walk a decent distance.

Drivers if the walking is not that much.

Tassels/penny in brown suede if Im looking for a more preppy look.

Sandals are restricted to pool/beach.

This year all my shorts are from BR.

 

[js0930]

Just bought a pair of Rancourt pinch penny loafers for this exact purpose. Ranger mocs would be great for this as well - planning to get a pair of those after I get back from Europe. And don’t pay attention to the naysayers - they probably skip leg day.

 

[Funcheese]

Currently in Buy and Sell

 

[JFWR]

What do you folks think of split toed derbys as summer shoes? The split toe design shares similarities with mocassins in the apron, but they are a lace up given the derby enclosure. Might this not be an alternative to the ranger/camp mocs, boat shoes, and loafers suggested, or would this look too formal with a pair of shorts during the day time?

I mean, I am not so sure I'd wear the Edward Green Dover in such a context, but what about something like the Allen Edmonds Bradley? Example:

I have this shoe in burgundy shell.

 

[Jan-Mikael]

What do you folks think of split toed derbys as summer shoes? The split toe design shares similarities with mocassins in the apron, but they are a lace up given the derby enclosure. Might this not be an alternative to the ranger/camp mocs, boat shoes, and loafers suggested, or would this look too formal with a pair of shorts during the day time?

I mean, I am not so sure I'd wear the Edward Green Dover in such a context, but what about something like the Allen Edmonds Bradley? Example:

I have this shoe in burgundy shell.

In my head, they would look awful with shorts.

 

[JFWR]

In my head, they would look awful with shorts.

Why so? Because of the laces?

 

[Jan-Mikael]

Why so? Because of the laces?

No because of the whole.

Guys try to justify something works because it shares similarities with other things. It would be like claming a western shirt with french cuffs would work equally well with a tuxedo as a tuxedo shirt.

 

[ter1413]

...

 

[Johnny80]

if you really want to go this route, loafers will be a better choice with shorts
But again, now it depends what kind of shorts

 

[mak1277]

Why so? Because of the laces?

Would you wear them without socks, or would you go full 90-year old man and wear them with black socks and shorts?

these would look ridiculous with shorts.