Shorts and derbys?

[Winding Ways]

Hey all. I'm a relatively new menswear enthusiast with really low arches, especially my left foot, and have a really hard time finding loafers that fit. I'm thinking of what to wear this summer.

My go-to shorts on warm days is a pair of sand-coloured single-pleated chino shorts. Loafers would be perfect, but after buying some C&J Harvards that I probably have to sell, I'm tempted to give up on loafers and go sock-less split-toe derby for summer. E.g. one of these, which I know fit me.

Would this look weird? Thoughts and experience greatly appreciated.

 

[norsefanboi]

yea that's not a good look in my opinion. As you said, loafers/mocassins/boat shoes would be better options

 

[Winding Ways]

norsefanboi thanks. I'm not really into the mocassin or boat shoe styles personally. Maybe I should try harder to find a loafer that fits.

I suspect a light-coloured suede derby would look OK with shorts, but they'd be hard to pair with most of my trousers.

 

[robxznyc]

If you really want to wear derbies with shorts, try those from shoe makers like Marsell, Officine Creative and other artisanal brands that give leather a distress treatment to obtain a vintage appearance. Dressy shoes and casual shorts isn't a good look. Have you thought about getting orthopedic insoles for your low arches?

 

[maxalex]

When I was a lad I wore derbies with my Easter-Sunday shorts (gabardine, dark grey). But after I graduated to big-boy pants in the second-grade (on the stern recommendation of Sister Madonna), I felt free to experiment with loafers and even (on Fridays in May) saddle shoes. Assuming you are grown and only wear shorts at the beach, derbies would be inappropriate. Get a pair of espadrilles.

 

[madhat]

norsefanboi thanks. I'm not really into the mocassin or boat shoe styles personally. Maybe I should try harder to find a loafer that fits.

I suspect a light-coloured suede derby would look OK with shorts, but they'd be hard to pair with most of my trousers.

Get some dirty bucks, compete with red brick soles. They're not going to go with formal trousers, but they were casual enough for shorts during the days of the classic Hollywood style role models...
Please don't buy pre-distressed fashion shoes.

 

[Winding Ways]

maxalex, when it's hot I'll wear shorts around town with no shame. Very common where I live and I don't mind the look. Espadrilles are a good suggestion though, thanks.

robxznyc, I do wear arch supports in all my shoes, but even then my feet are often too low for the instep! Not crazy about pre-distressed stuff personally, but thanks.

Bucks could be a good option, thanks madhat.

 

[Winding Ways]

Just a quick update on my predicament. I decided to man up and give loafers another try. I went with mid-brown suede Morjas penny loafer as I like their styling and they seem like good value. I went with 11.

Both these and my old (too big) C&J Harvards fit true to size, so the Morjas ones are almost exactly half an inch shorter. I think the instep is a bit lower as well. Really happy with the fit so far, although I need a small tongue pad on the right one to fill out the instep properly, due to low arches.