Men's shoes to wear with shorts

[Megande]

My husband used to wear Birkenstocks every day of the summer. He has recently decided he doesn't like them, but has no idea what to wear with shorts now. This would be no problem but he firmly believes that men should not wear flip flops in public :confused: . With flip flops ruled out, I don't even know what to suggest. He would mainly be wearing them with GAP khaki shorts and polo-type shirts. Any help would be appreciated!

[alisong]

My DH is a big shorts wearer. He does wear flipflops, but also has a pair of Keens that are a little more respectable:

http://www.zappos.com/images/712/7128865/3034-210333-d.jpg

They're still not exactly "dressy", but are fine for work (he works outdoors).

[ivansbabe]

Here's a few options....

Timberland
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/10/_5354930.jpg

Born
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/0/_5346500.jpg

Is seeing toes the problem? If not these could work, by Born as well.
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/4/_5355944.jpg

Josef Seibel
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/5/_5196225.jpg

Keen
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/ImageGallery/store/Product/MediumLarge/11/_5358311.jpg

[HeatherFL]

This would be no problem but he firmly believes that men should not wear flip flops in public.
LOL We live in Florida, this is about all that men wear in public!

Aldo (www.aldoshoes.com) has a lot of good choices. :)

~H.

[wendalah]

Have him get a pair of Converse (not the high-top kind) in a neutral color like off-white or blue, and wear them either without socks or with the short sport-style socks. He could also get a pair of Vans canvas slip-ons (again in a neutral color). Old Navy right now has faux Vans that are nice-looking and come in blue and off-white.

I cannot bear Mandals of any kind. Sandals don't belong on a man's feet IMO no matter how hot it is. Flip-flops are for the beach--good for him for resisting.

[gokatgo]

I'm all for the Converse, although I'd let DH decide whether he prefers the high tops or low (actually, DH gets to pick out his own shoes).

But this:


Flip-flops are for the beach--good for him for resisting.

is no way to live!

[carrie9142]

I agree with Wendy re: mandals. In terms of men's summer shoes I feel like toes and heels should be open!

I do not agree re: flip flops. FF are the best! He won't even wear a nice, leather pair?

What about Teva's? They are a good combo of open/comfy/not flip flops.

[karlatta]

Scott wears Teva's with all of his shorts. He is another no flip flops guy, and I really dislike men in leather sandals.

[WisWis]

Zach wears Birkenstocks, Tevas and Chacos during warm weather. I know you said Birks were out, but he may like the other two suggestions. Good luck!

[wendalah]

I like hi-tops, but IMO they're a little harder to pull off than the low ones and can even look a bit silly on some guys. If DH looks good in them, coolio!

I know I'm in the minority w/ flip-flops. I'm just sick of them. Everyone in L.A. wears them everywhere and with everything and year-round. I can't believe people made fun of Angelenos wearing Uggs with shorts, when half the year they're wearing sweaters and jeans with flip-flops--an equally idiotic combo in my book.

[Aimee]

What about top siders? (http://www.zappos.com/n/es/d/44000000/page/1.html)

[am_81]

DH either wears this pair of Oakley sandals (which he has worn to death!):

http://mi.oakley.com/images/catalog/generated/380x340/f6/440331a929afc.jpg?1172543180

or a pair of low top Vans in navy blue. He actually has a pair of "mandals" (these (http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2917653/0~2376778~2372807~2372856~2375598?mediumthumbnail= Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2375598&P=1) IIRC), but those are pretty much only for drinking at the bar after golf or other venues that dont allow casual sandals/shoes.

[mkredhead]

I think white leather slip ons, aka the Sopranos, are very appropriate with summer wear.

hehe. Just kidding!

[thyme]

Top-Siders, as Aimee suggested, are what DH usually wears with khakis and polos.

[KGif]

I too am pretty anti-Mandals - BUT I do like these:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f188/KGif/KC_KM26969_black_det.jpg

They are from KennethCole.com. They also have some leather flip flops. Little more formal then normal flips if that is what your husband is looking for.

[c'est la vie]

He would mainly be wearing them with GAP khaki shorts and polo-type shirts. Any help would be appreciated!

My DH wears boat shoes w/ khaki shorts and polos.

[Megande]

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions. I showed this thread to DH to see if he could pick anything out that he liked. He won't wear "Mandals" and I'm not sure about a converse or a boat shoe. I am trying to convince him that a nice, leather flip-flop is not the same as a plastic flip flop from Old Navy. It shouldn't be this difficult as he is a PhD student in Computer Science so just wearing clothes that aren't leftover from high school makes him head and shoulders above the rest in the fashion department!

If anyone else has any suggestions, I'd love to see them!

[Daisy]

My DH wears leather flip flops or these leather, closed toe Doc Martin-like sandals - except his are Clarks and aren't as clunky as Doc Martins. They've actually proven to be great travel shoes - he can walk around in them for hours.