Spring 2024’s biggest runway trends — loose tailoring, short suits, chic safari, pastel suits and textured knits — all have thing in common: They look great with a summer sandal. Once seen strictly as a beach or poolside option, the relaxed footwear is now right in step with current ready-to-wear trends, with buyers taking notice.
“While in the past, men’s sandals have been predominantly made up of slides and flip-flops, over recent years we’ve seen the category evolve into more refined silhouettes that lend to more versatility in one’s wardrobe,” said Jennifer Jaffe, senior buyer at Shopbop.
Celebrities known for their style have already taken on the trend, Justin Bieber recently wore a sandal adjacent mary jane with socks on a casual summer stroll in New York City. The spring 2024 runways showed a wide range of options, strappy crossover sandals paired with loose denim at Lemaire, or fisherman-style shoes at Hermès styled with cashmere cardigans and relaxed fit pants. Off the catwalk, the Birkenstock is easily the most in demand option at retail — the “go-to pick for men’s shoppers,” Jaffe said, reporting styles ranging from beach-ready EVA material to more dressed-up all-leather versions as top performers. “For those who want to venture beyond two-strap territory, a simple leather crossover sandal looks very elevated,” she added.
Mr Porter’s buying manager, David Morris, echoed the praises of the Birkenstock as a “key” summer style, seeing continued growth for the Arizona model in suede, leather and oiled leathers, alongside new styles such as the Kyoto and Uji. A luxury alternative, the Brunello Cucinelli buckled suede sandals, “are performing wonderfully,” Morris said, “embracing our customers’ demand of best-in-class craftmanship intertwined with luxurious heritage.”
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Clog styles have been seen “everywhere” too, Morris said. “From Bottega Veneta, Rick Owens, Gucci and The Row to Common Projects, [brands] have embraced it as a staple in their footwear collections, and it seems like it’s here to stay for a bit longer.”
Other top performers at the U.K. based e-retailer include the Manolo Blahnik’s Chiltern and Otawi. “Their sleek two-strap crisscross silhouette applied with a supple leather footbed make them a perfect choice for elevated comfort,” he said. Material wise, Morris sees a rise in interest in raffia styles, adding that the Otawi in rainbow jacquard, a style exclusive to Mr Porter, “has been significantly successful.”
The market for summer footwear has seen a resurgence in other faithful classic styles, too, like fisherman and huarache sandals. “While fisherman sandals have been simmering as a ‘trend’ the past few seasons, this silhouette feels super relevant and chic for those looking for a bolder sandal style,” Shopbop’s Jaffee said.
The sandal renaissance has continued to grow with the recent 2025 spring menswear shows offering up even more brands featuring foot reveling styles, sure make an impact on buyers’ bottom lines for next year.
