Menswear has always had a few unspoken rules. Sandals belong at the beach. Closed shoes belong everywhere else. Simple enough.
Except summer is becoming increasingly less simple. As cities like London, New York, and Paris have seen temperatures climb and heatwaves become a regular feature of the calendar, the idea of spending an entire day in leather loafers or suede sneakers isn’t a sign of good dressing, but more like a test of endurance.
That does not mean every open-toe shoe suddenly qualifies for every occasion. The office remains a definitive no-toe zone, and flip-flops should still only be kept beside the pool. But somewhere between there is a growing middle ground, where a pair of expertly made leather sandals that provide a little more ventilation is welcome. Think alfresco lunches by the sea, evenings spent on terraces, and piazzas where the dress code is relaxed but the standards remain high.
The key is choosing wisely. Premium materials, considered construction, and silhouettes that feel closer to traditional shoemaking than beachwear separate these pairs from the rest.
See also: The Under-the-Radar Resortwear Brands to Wear This Summer
The best luxury men's sandals
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Loewe
+ Paula's Ibiza Flex criss-cross leather sandalsSure, things are more relaxed on vacation, but that doesn't mean all standards should disappear the moment you reach the beach. If there is one brand that consistently gets luxury resort dressing right, it's Loewe and its long-running collaboration with Paula's Ibiza. These Flex slides are crafted from vegetable-dyed calf leather, with the house name subtly stitched to adjoin the criss-cross straps. They’re exactly the sort of sandal that looks as appropriate beside the pool as it does with long linen trousers for a long lunch afterwards.
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Church’s
Oban calfskin mule sandal with antique finishEnglish shoemaker Church's isn't the first name that springs to mind for summer footwear, but the Oban sandals make a convincing case to look to the brand for your resort as well as workwear. Combining the traditional cut of the fisherman's style and paring it back into an easy mule, the style is relaxed and wearable. As with the brand’s signature brogues and Oxfords, the sandals are finished in calfskin. Our top pick is the antique patina.
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The Row
Dan leather thong sandalsWe’ve already written that the ‘90s shoe trends are back for women, but if any brand could get us to reconsider the thong sandal in menswear, too, it was going to be The Row. The label has built its reputation on taking the everyday, refining it and making it timeless, and the Dan sandals follow the same formula. Carrying a price tag that surpasses four figures makes this no ordinary pair of flip-flops, but no matter how soft the Italian leather and immaculate the tonal stitches are, they're still flip-flops. So save them for the pool, the deck, or the terrace – and resist the urge to prove they work everywhere else.
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Saint Laurent
Helios 10 Cassandre-embellished leather sandalsSomewhere between the beach club and the hotel’s signature restaurant lies the great vacation footwear decision: flip-flops feel too casual, but loafers feel unnecessarily committed. Saint Laurent’s Helios sandals were made for exactly this moment. Cut from glossy leather with a crossed-strap design, they are one of the smarter options on the market, but relaxed enough that you won’t immediately regret your footwear choice halfway through dinner.
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JW Anderson
Leaf leather thong sandalsIf you can't indulge your more adventurous fashion decisions while on vacation, when can you? JW Anderson is perhaps the expert at taking familiar silhouettes and giving them an unexpected twist, and these sandals are no exception. A square toe and embroidered footbed inspired by the design of the leaf add just enough character to an otherwise pared-back thong sandal (without looking like you’ve raided the hotel boutique), while the deep forest green leather ensures it never feels too whimsical.
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Manolo Blahnik
Marvin croc-effect leather slidesWhile Manolo Blahnik's name is more readily associated with towering stilettos than men's summer wardrobes, the same meticulous craftsmanship translates remarkably well to something altogether more understated. This pair of Marvin slides is made in Italy from croc-effect leather, with broad crossed straps in a deep, rich red that keeps it from feeling ostentatious. They won't be the ones you wear to the beach, but for a poolside lunch or an aperitivo on the terrace, they go to show that refined resort wear doesn’t have to mean neutral tones and linen everything.
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JM Weston
Leather sandalsAs the name suggests, the fisherman's-style sandal originates from, well, among Mediterranean fishermen, where caged leather construction protected the foot while remaining cool, breathable, and quick to dry. JM Weston's version refines that workwear heritage with beautifully understated cut-outs and impeccable leather, making them feel closer to a smart summer shoe than traditional beachwear. Stylish with wide-leg tailoring or relaxed linen trousers, they're about as sophisticated as an open-toe shoe can get.
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Yuketen
+ Chamula Alejandro woven leather Huarache sandalsTo paraphrase Tom Ford, a gentleman's toes generally have no business being on display in the city. But as temperatures rise, even the most established rules of summer dressing are being reconsidered. Inspired by traditional Mexican huaraches, Japanese-founded, American-made Yuketen's woven leather sandals offer a refined middle ground. Here, the woven leather or suede construction keeps feet and digits discreet while still providing the breathability needed in warmer climates.
How we chose the best luxury men's sandals
Each item featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand experience where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality and exceptional craftsmanship.
