When the mercury soars, there are few things worse than sticky, sweaty feet held captive in dark, airless shoes. However, guys who expose their toes risk getting taunted mercilessly about their mandals. In her Men's Vogue blog, Amanda Brooks offers up proof that in summer, stylish fellas can do right both by their feet and fashion: fighter Oscar de la Hoya, a hippie-chic James Taylor in 1969, Dr. Benjamin Spock on vacation, hipsters on NYC's Bleecker Street & Prince William chopping wood. As a public service, we also offer up these tips and options:
The trick to rocking mandals is to approach them as an accessory rather than an afterthought. Even with jeans or pants, they are still a key part of the overall look, so go for something sleek, stylish, or perhaps even gladiator'ish (like the Phillip Lim version...although rocking these requires more fashion cojones). The waterproof, hi-performance Teva versions are fab...in situations involving water and performing (ie. a wood-chopping Prince William, above), so unless manly activities are involved (camping, hiking, hunting, BS'ing with beers & the boys by a campfire), opt for something city-worthy.
Following a non-optional pedi - if you insist on DIY, Nagelan has a variety of men's pedicure kits - here are some fab mandals to slip on and head out in, head held high:
Clockwise from top left:
- Golden Goose leather sandal at Aloha Rag
- the Original toe-ring sandal handmade by the Piper Sandal Company
- Frye Fisherman sandal
- red 3.1 Phillip Lim Zeus Maya gladiator-style
- coffee-hued Ferragamo Papete toe-ring sandal
- black lace-up Ann Demeulemeester suede backless shoe
- Undercover printed black & white Birkenstock
- Mark Nason Gibbons slide with Maltese cross detail
- Lesley Scott
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