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ARE SANDALS EVER ACCEPTABLE?

15K views 79 replies 54 participants last post by  guitone  
#1 ·
hi, I joined here some time ago, but never posted- or I don't think I did. I only recently realised the value of dressing more tastefully, but also with a view to practicality in mind, which is wht I'm asking this question- I often like to wear sandals, to minimise foot odour and other problems, usually i wear clarks or Hi-Tec 'hiking' type sandals, as they are rugged, comfortable and let my feet breathe, is this still a fashion no-no, even when teamed with hiking/outdoor gear? -apologies in advance for my ignorance!
 
#6 ·
I think that sandals are fine when wearing the appropriate casual clothing like shorts and golf shirt in the summer, especially if you are outdoors. It's also a logical time to wear the sandals when wearing hiking or outdoor gear. That is their appropriate function. The key is to wear this type of ensemble at the appropriate time, i.e. don't wear it if the occasion calls for a sport jacket and slacks.
 
#8 ·
I think it was acceptable for Roman legions to wear them while conquering Gaulle, but they have been unacceptable for any true gentleman to wear since the fall of the Roman empire.
I was going to say something about that,but you beat me to it.:mad::icon_smile_big: To the OP,I dislike sandals but as Cruiser said,this is merely an opinion.
 
#9 ·
Unless I am at the gym, beach or pool, I would not be caught dead with sandals or flip flops.

Unfortunately, as soon as it hits 70 degrees - lots of men break them out and wear them to all kinds of unfortunate places like the mall, the grocery store, or to a restaurant. Keep the sandals for the beach or the hiking trails.
 
#13 ·
Of course. My Birks are probably second or third in frequency of wear in my summer shoe rotation.

On the other hand, one time when I was in court for a status conference or motion hearing, something minor, the other lawyer was wearing Birkenstocks and socks.

That goes way beyond any reasonable limit, even for Vermont.
 
#14 ·
Totally appropriate if you're at the beach, poolside, on a college campus, or lounging around somewhere on the middle of a weekday in Los Angeles or Miami.

Totally inappropriate with a suit, in any business or formal setting, on a date, at an interview, or in pretty much any situation not described in the first sentence above.
 
#16 ·
Yeah. I recently turned 29, and I feel that I'm now at the age where I simply can't justify walking around in sandals under most circumstances. I think sandals are one of those things that are increasingly hard to pull off the older you get. It's not that sandals ever become completely inappropriate; it's just that they become more and more situationally restricted with age.
 
#19 ·
I think it really depends on your age somewhat as well. I think sandals look perfectly fine in certain circumstances as long as you are fairly young. However, I don't like the kind of sandals that you are describing. Brown leather flip flops look perfectly fine with some Khaki shorts in the summer time.

I wouldn't wear any other sandals than those personally simply because I don't like the way they look.
 
#20 ·
uh oh....so the 'noes' seem to have it- but my main reason is for the hygiene aspect, i had athletes foot from time to time, and wearing sandals periodically banished it.
You probably could have guessed that most people would vote no. On the other hand, you're an adult, they're your feet, and you're free to do what you want.

I find the high-tech hiking style sandals somewhat appealing, except that I doubt that I would get as much of the "sandal" feel as I want. I also like it if I can just stick my feet in, which I can do with my Birks, but not with those.

I would try them, though. I think of them as a midpoint between sandals and sneakers.
 
#23 ·
When I used to sell shoes, I would get customers who were wholly convinced there was such thing as a "dress sandal." Many went as far as to stupulate that, whatever sandal they bought, they planned on wearing it with a suit. Enough said about that.

Personally, I have no huge vendetta against sandals even though I find other casual shoes to be more comfortable, and I don't particularly care for the appearance. But as long as you're in a casual environment, you and your sandals should be fine.
 
#26 ·
I think it was acceptable for Roman legions to wear them while conquering Gaulle, but they have been unacceptable for any true gentleman to wear since the fall of the Roman empire.
Because as we all know, men cannot wear sandals and be gentlemen at the same time.