Why loafers and sneakers are the best shoes for summer

Comfortable, easy to use and with an air of relaxation, both are great options when temperatures soar and we’re looking to cool our feet. How to choose them without losing style? A fashion specialist gives her advice.

Slip-ons, espadrilles and loafers are minimalist and summery footwear options. They add an inherently relaxed vibe to any outfit, which can be more intense depending on the material and design. Although they are easy to combine, the number of options available, especially in the informal market, means that we don’t always choose the best quality.

Javiera Correa is a fashion content creator (@javicoreamedina ), an activity to which he devotes himself full-time. On a daily basis, she says, “you shouldn’t miss a comfortable moccasin and an espadrille with and without upper: because of their different possibilities of use, I consider them indispensable in a closet”.

The grace of moccasins is that they can be used both for outfits formal or more informal: they work at work and also on weekends, for a relaxed afternoon or evening. Its manufacture can be in different materials; When made of leather, moccasins make a great pair of dress shoes. The fabric ones, on the other hand, can be for a summer day or a semi-formal outfit.

“The moccasin is a timeless shoe: it goes perfectly both with a summer dress and with a more wintery look,” explains Correa.

The espadrilles, on the other hand, “are of Spanish origin: they were used by peasants since the 14th century, but they gradually became an object of worship over time”.

Grace Kelly and her sneakers.

So much so that various luxury brands, such as Hermès, Chanel, Yves Saint-Laurent or Lanvin, among others, began to include them in their collections during the 20th century. “Since then, they have become a to have to”, says Javiera. “We could see it in Grace Kelly, when she wears them so stylishly in the film High societybut they were also used by Salvador Dalí, Lauren Bacall, Jeanne Moreau and many others”, mentions Javiera.

Both shoes, she suggests, should be considered in a capsule closet.

What is a capsule closet

“A capsule closet is a set of basic, neutral-toned clothing that’s good quality and timeless,” says Correa. That is, clothes that serve for almost any time, circumstance and season. The main thing is that with few parts you can create many outfits. “It’s essential that they all work together and are consistent with your personal style,” she explains.

A capsule closet’s rule is to “stick to a certain color palette,” so her suggestion, regarding loafers and sneakers, is to “start with neutral tones.”

“The classic espadrilles are the canvas ones with a black and white cane. If we think about it, they are super combinable with almost any pants or skirt. As for moccasins, I recommend starting with a leather model in a black or brown tone,” he explains.

Camille Jungle Moccasin Habano


How to choose good moccasins?

Usually, clothing buying decisions are based almost exclusively on personal taste. Before the visual impact, Javiera Correa always recommends focusing on comfort and quality, because the idea is not “to buy a shoe and have to throw it away after a few months”. For this, even if it is more expensive at the beginning, he suggests “making an investment that can last us for years”.

According to the specialized site Master class , There are five main types of moccasins:

  • penny loafers : these are the most classic models, those with a leather strap on top.
  • Horsebit moccasins: This type of loafer gained popularity in the mid-20th century, when it was a staple of casual workwear for men’s fashion at the time. Their main feature is that they have a golden strap on the top of the shoe. Today they are a bit vintage, but they are still appreciated.
  • Moccasins slippers ( slippers ) : slippers usually have the heel area uncovered, unlike this type of moccasin. They are usually simple, uniform in color and without decorations. A hybrid between moccasin and espadrille.
  • tassel loafers : as their name suggests, they have a small pompom —or set of fringes— on the upper part of the shoe. They are usually made of suede and leather. They were very fashionable in the 80s.
  • nautical style loafers : If you owned a yacht, these would be the type of shoes you would wear. One of their big differences is that they have laces.

There are many options for combining and creating outfits. For example, with or without socks. Although it is possible to wear them directly on the foot, exposing part of our instep and ankles, they can also be dressed with invisible socks, in case you feel bad comfortable wearing them with nothing in between.

Monarch woman invisible sock


You can also use them to go to work, without losing formality. It’s a comfortable shoe that pairs well with light jackets, high-cut pants, and skirts of all kinds. If you prefer them in a bold color, this is a great way to accentuate your outfit.

“My favorite loafer brand is Unisa,” says Correa. “They are shoes made in Spain with excellent quality, they have a wide variety of models but the best thing is their comfort.”

Loafers Unisa Dalcy Lau Jeans


How to choose a sneaker

Just like loafers, Javiera says that with espadrilles, you always have to prioritize comfort. Because the first thing an espadrille has to guarantee is this: a cut that barely sits on the foot and allows it to stay cool and light during the summer.

“There are different versions: with and without heels, in canvas, in leather, in denim, with appliqués… there are a lot of them”, he explains. To know which one will suit us best, when buying, we must ask ourselves certain questions, such as “for what occasions of use do I need it?” How is my lifestyle? How much is my budget? Based on this, we can determine what type of sneaker we need,” he says.

A detail they mention on the Escardillo París website is that you should always measure your foot before buying, since not all sizes are the same between the different brands. It is very important to compare with the equivalence table and to make sure that our foot will enter the shoe without any problem. If it is too small, the heel and toes will be painful, while if it is too large, the friction of the movement of the foot inside can cause injuries and blisters.

Canvas sneakers, for example, tend to stretch and mold to the shape of the foot, so they should be more snug than loose when trying them on. The latter is essential: unless it is a brand and a model that you have already used, yes or yes you have to try them before buying them.

On the Spanish site Havana specializing in the sale of fans, silk scarves and espadrilles, mentions the following types of espadrilles:

  • classics: Equipped with a flat sole and very comfortable, they completely envelop the foot.
  • With platform: an alternative to increase the height or give it more formality. Some even have a taco.
  • With ankle strap : as shown, includes a strap to tie around the ankle. An option for looks more romantic, without losing that touch of elegance.
  • Reasons: not all sneakers are uniform colors. Some designs include prints or mixes of materials, to have shoes that are both modern and comfortable.
  • With chamois: They are usually uniform in color. However, they have a slightly more elegant style than the classics, due to their softer and more delicate fabric.

“In espadrilles, I recommend the classic of classics: Castañer”, specifies Correa. “But also Urco. With both brands you can find an endless number of models, sizes, colors and occasions. Even espadrilles for the bride.”

Espadrille Urco Cyprus Lilac


*Prices for products in this article are updated as of January 13, 2023. Values ​​and their availability may change.

Source: Latercera

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