5 Men’s Shoe Trends For When You Want To Ditch Your Sneakers
Trainers are great and all, but it’s nice to veer out of the daily comfort zone and choose something more pulled together now and again. We’ve rounded up the top five men’s shoe trends for spring/summer ’25 (excluding the humble fashion trainer), from the fisherman aesthetic-inspired caged sandal to the Sloany-turned-style set-approved boat shoe, and the classic comfort-meets-cool Birkenstock Boston.
The penny loafer
Bridging the gap between smart and comfy, the penny loafer is without doubt the shoe of the season for when you don’t want to wear sneakers. The beauty of the loafer is its simplicity: no laces, a low heel, no fussy details. It’s low-key and cool, and while we love it with tailored trousers, a vest and an undone shirt, it also works with more casual looks, from retro Adidas shorts and a striped shirt to denim Bermuda shorts and a vest. Top tip: always always pair your loafer with a sock.
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The leather sandal
Men’s sandals used to get a bad rep – they felt very middle-aged dad on a walking holiday – but in recent years, we’ve accepted them into a men’s capsule summer wardrobe. Not to mention, they are also super practical for the holiday season and impending London heatwaves.
Top picks of the season include Massimo Dutti’s leather crossover style – great with a pair of loose-fit linen trousers, and Reiss’s double-strap Philip design, if you want something a bit more relaxed to slip on with baggy jeans or summer shorts.
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The slip-on mule
If you’re wondering whether the Birkenstock Boston is still cool, yes, it very much is. If you don’t already own a pair, they have practically become a cult classic, so they are a sound choice to part with money for when you want something a little different from trainers but just, if not more, comfortable.
Wear with all your relaxed looks, from striped PJ-esque trousers to long denim shorts. Best paired wth a chubny ribbed sports sock.
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The fisherman sandal
Lean into SS25’s ‘Fisherman Aesthetic’ trend with this divisive shoe. The fisherman sandal has been kicking about for a couple of summers for both men and women, and for this season, we’re seeing it everywhere, not just in a low-key, casual look.
We love classic black paired with pared-back looks, but if the rest of your look is more colourful or fussy, go for earthier, brown designs for a softer look.
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The boat shoe
The classic boat shoe might feel a bit Sloany, but paired with the right things and it can look really cool. We love the chunkier soles of the Timberland and Barbour designs, paired with relaxed denim and a leather bomber.
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