No more lazing around: men’s sewer liners for smart sandals | Men’s Shoes

Sporty skates may be the shoe of choice on Love Island, but outside the villas, the men are getting smarter.

The retailer reports that men are eschewing the casual sliders they once loved, and even Birkenstocks with supportive footwear, for flat leather strappy sandals instead.

Men dress up again, says Tim Little, shoe designer and owner of Grenson footwear.

There’s been a big swing from casual wear and sportswear. Men today want to appear sharp, especially younger customers.

A spokesman for John Lewis said sales of smart sandals were up 67%. A pair of coffee-colored 70’s from Dune with dual straps, and a pair of chestnut Kins 22.50 featuring crossed straps were best sellers.

Elsewhere, luxury e-tailer Mytheresa said leather sandals had overtaken sports sandals as the top performer, with top-selling brands including Gucci, Tom Ford and Brunello Cucinelli.

This coincided with a soft tailoring sales boom, in which several retailers reported triple-digit growth.

Fashion is finally evolving again, says Grazias Henrik Lischke. We’re moving away from the Y2K trend. This look is more elegant and uplifting, requiring shoes that aren’t tacky.

Earlier this week David Beckham, who previously wore a parka with white socks and black sliders to watch a fashion show by his wife, Victoria, was photographed at the Jacquemus show in France.

However, for her front row appearance this time she wore a cream linen suit​​with brown leather Loro Pianas 795 sandals with straps circling her legs.

This is a look featured on many spring/summer 2023 catwalks, including Paul Smith and Herms.

Little said the Grenson men’s sandals category used to be very small.

In summer, it’s common for men to wear sneakers and sometimes flip-flops. Sandals are not big business.

He credits lockdowns and the boom in Birkenstocks with giving men the confidence to expand their footwear choices.

That opens up the idea of ​​sandals for them. However, now they want something more stylish.

Grenson’s best performer is the Quincy, a fisherman-inspired style with straps.

Due to demand, Little said it launched another version with a springy rubber sole and a third with a built-in footbed.

Lischke, who owns a four-year-old pair of lace-up shoes from Grenson, says they offer a polished alternative to the gorpcore trend, which uses outdoor gear like trekking sandals in urban settings.

I like to wear them over closed shoes with a suit. That breaks it up, says Lischke, comparing it to the on-screen style of The Talented Mr Ripley and Giorgio Armani’s 80s commercials.

And while Birkenstocks and other dad sandals, such as the Tevas, may be revered for their comfort, modern mandal wearers say they are just as enjoyable.

Leather is the best material in hot weather because it’s breathable, says Little. Shoes like sliders are usually made of plastic which makes your feet sweat.