Sandals - HERMÈS
The manliest men may have been wearing sandals since the beginning
of time - Roman gladiators, Greek Gods, African Kings and even
Jesus wore leather sandals - but none of these historic figures
seem to loom as large in most male minds as the fear of being
derided for looking drippy. None of them had to get on the bus in
rush hour bare- toed back then either.
So the issue of gentlemen wearing sandals is arguably a matter of the traditional versus the nontraditional. The urban chap who chooses the traditional route does not expose his toes; canvas lace-ups, deck shoes, loafers, and oxfords, all worn sockless, are ideal for keeping feet cool when it's warm out. But for the nonconformist there are an excess of options. Lanvin offered a technical twist on the leather sandal by mixing sportiness with luxury to create trainer-sandal hybrids constructed from a mix of neoprene and python skin. Emporio Armani unveiled similar sporty versions with a grey suede trim, adjustable Velcro straps and embossed logo on the back strap and sole.
Maison Martin Margiela presented hi- tops and high fashion sandals that demanded attention, as did the Gladiator-inspired takes witnessed at Burberry and Bottega Veneta. YSL (and others) endorsed a much-mocked combination by sending out their models in moulded sandals with socks. Less dramatic, but still eye-catchingly elegant, leather sandals were seen at Kenzo, Louis Vuitton and at Hermès, where this minimal pair won out in some style, channeling elements of the canvas shoe too. Finally, for a sensible, no toes showing solution that fuses the trad and tech elements seen elsewhere, Prada's espadrilles are formal brogues with two soles, part espadrille, one part sports trainer.
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