What sort of (guys') shoes don't look stupid with shorts?

In My Humble Opinion
1

A quandary: sometimes it gets hot around here. I like to wear shorts when that happens, but I’m having trouble coming up with shoes I can wear with them. I hate sneakers, but unfortunately I’ll look like a huge dork if I wear my regular proper leather shoes. Nor do I want to force the sight of my toes upon my companions :stuck_out_tongue:

I hear that Italian men like to wear leather shoes (loafers, probably?) without socks. Sometimes a pair of topsiders fits the bill on a short excursion, and look fine, but they’re not comfortable for walking very far due to a significant lack of arch support.

So, can anyone suggest a comfy line of decent-looking shoes suitable for wearing with shorts and for walking?

2

I am coming up black except for boat shoes and Teevas or any other kind of sandles. When I was in high school however, we had a metalhead that often wore a pair of cutoff jeans with tall leather black cowboy boots. It got attention and it was very stylish at least for him.

3

I’m not sure of brands, but you can get some really nifty closed-toed mens sandals. Comfy like a sandal, except you can keep your toes to yourself.

I think maybe Cole Hann, or Doc Marten might have something appropriate.

4

Anybody know if they make boat shoes they aren’t flat on the bottom? That could work…

5

Try some of the more stylish running shoes or exercise shoes. Comfortable as can be, and made to be worn with shorts.

(What do I know? Snakes don’t have feet!)

6

These Merrell moccassins might work for you. If you poke around their website, you might find something you like.

7

Birkenstocks. Comfortable, yet stylish. OK, not really stylish, but really comfortable.

8

Two suggestions:

Deck shoes (aka “Top Siders”), or

Huaraches (mexican dress sandals) More Huaraches.

The latter are, technically, formal wear. At least in Mexico. I have some that look like the “Fisher” style in the second link, and they’re extremely comfortable.

Some “huaraches” are very informal sandals or thongs made from discarded tires… these are fun, but I don’t think you’re looking for thongs.

And, importantly, don’t wear socks with either!

9

I have a pair of the women’s version of these and I have to say they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever owned. I used to have a pair of Merrell hiking boots that I loved, so when I needed shoes for a very long, exhausting trip that involved numerous treks through busy airports, I opted for the moccs. Perfect choice. I wear them all the time.

10

I 2nd Birkenstock which come in models that’ll hide your toes. Shopping available online. Linky

11

I have a pair of lavendar suede men’s work shoes that I wear with shorts. It makes people’s mouths fall open.

12

Boat shoes (Sperry Topsiders are the standard) and sandals will work, as has been pointed out.

I’m not Italian (don’t I wish), but I do wear some styles of loafers with shorts (NO SOCKS). Go with a low cut, sleek style with a thin sole. I have a pair of Brutini loafers with a woven toe box in English tan that look great with shorts. If you wear leather shoes without socks, it is really important to use shoe trees and not to wear the shoes two days in a row - the sweat from your feet will rot the shoes from the inside out.

Hey - I like shoes. Call me “Imelda.”

13

My husband also hates sneakers – and he looks damned odd in them for some reason. I guess sneakers are just not “him.” He wears sandals with shorts – sort of Teeva style walking sandals. We just bought him a new pair last month and saw several styles of quite comfy sandals with closed toes. We shopped at Bass Pro, Shoe Carnival and Jc Penneys. My son has a pair of closed toe Birkenstocks that are quite comfy (according to him) – my husband doesn’t like the slip on type sandals though. He prefers his sandals to buckle. Also, back before he bought his first pair of sandals, Kevin used to wear deck shoes with shorts (no socks, of course). If you like that look and find the shoes comfortable other than the arch support issue, maybe you could find some supporting inner soles that will fit them.

14

Maybe people secretly roll their eyes and laugh at me, but I think hiking boots look fine with shorts. If I am going to be walking long distances (say, at a theme park) and be in shorts, I always wear a pair of timberlands. For moderate distances, Tivas, and for looking “dressy” (inasmuch as can be done in shorts) it’s definitely topsiders.

15

I go for either my low-cut Chuck Taylor All-Stars with white ankle socks, or my Birkenstocks.

Stylish? Since I’m wearing it, almost certainly not. But cheap, comfortable, and I like the way they look.

16

These are nice!

17

I’ll second hiking boots.

I can also get away with oxblood-coloured Doc Marten’s, depending on the socks I wear.

18

I wear hiking sandals.

Note–Do Not wear socks of any kind with sandals.

19

I might be a little stuck in the 1980s … but I wear what used to be called “penny loafers” with shorts all the time (sans socks). Here’s an example made by Rockport – nice and plain. Loafers with tassels or fringe don’t fit the bill.

I am also a fan of various types of mocassin shoes – not like the more modern Merrell shoes linked above (though I’m meaning to try some like that), but more like knockoff Sperry Topsiders. H.H. Brown, under the brand name Dexter, makes very nice mocs for walking.

20

If you are looking for decent shoes with good support, I suggest checking out the American Podiatry’s “Seal of Acceptance” footwear list. I have arch problems and I have found comfortable good looking shoes that work well with shorts from a number of the manufacturers that they recommend (Ecco and Earth mostly).