Hot Weather Footwear

Sandals – One of man’s oldest forms of footwear, they are nonetheless a very informal type of footwear and should be worn accordingly.  Coming in a wide variety of styles, they range in their level of casualness based on the extent they show the feet and from what material they are made (leather being dressier than synthetic materials).  Hence a pair of plastic flip flops are laid back pool-wear, leather flip flops could be worn to a beach party, while strapped leather sandals are fine for a casual summer get-together with good friends. Keep your toenails clipped and clean when out and about in sandals. Wearing socks with one’s sandals is almost universally considered a faux pas and rather defeats the purpose of wearing sandals in the first place.


Canvas Sneakers – A casual choice perfect for hot weather.  These shoes are often made from natural fibers and are light enough to allow your feet to breathe.  They go great with shorts, especially when paired with low cut socks, and are even better for wear with jeans and chinos.

Summer Canvas Sneaker

Boat Shoes – Boat shoes serve a practical purpose – their soles are cut to help you avoid slipping on and marking the delicate surface of watercraft.  And like many practical tools, they escaped their natural boundary years ago and have established themselves as a piece of classic summer footwear, due in large part to their variety of color and that they can be worn sockless.

Italian Loafers & Moccasins – I specified the Italian Style here as typically you see these dress shoes made with lighter and more delicate leathers than their English or American counterparts.  Designed for wear in a Mediterranean climate, you’ll find the thin subtle leather very comfortable despite the heat.  However, be careful as this type of footwear is very susceptible to damage from the elements.  Perfect to wear with dress slacks.


Hot Weather Headwear
The first step in selecting a hot weather hat is to understand your personal headwear needs. Ask yourself under what conditions you are going to be using the hat and whether you are concerned with style, function, or both.  Functional hats that simply protect you from the sun are cheap and easy to find; stylish hats that double as functional hot weather companions are more difficult to track down.  However the rewards far outweigh the time spent researching and locating the perfect piece of personal shade.

Panama Hats - Photos Courtesy of Brent Black Panama Hats

Styles & Shape – Panamas, Straw Fedoras, Tilleys, and Linen Caps are great options available to the man interested in wearing stylish headwear that serves the purpose of protection from the sun.  When you have to stand in the Arizona noon sun on a 100 degree day, the right hat can help you shave 10 to 20 degrees off by providing you a personal section of shade over your body’s most exposed area.  Depending on your needs, the brim’s size can vary widely; my advice here is that you should ensure the brim is large enough to keep the sun off your face and neck when the sun is at its peak.

Material & Weave – The best summer hats are made from plant fibers and woven in a way that they can block light, retain their shape, and allow airflow.  Usually this is why you see such a wide range in price – a panama hat woven from a low quality fiber in one day will cost 1/100th that of a hat woven from a quality fiber that takes a full month to weave and and shape.

This difference in weave is what separates a $20 hat from $200 one.

Airflow – Beware of gummed-up straw hats that do not allow airflow through the crown.  Despite feeling lightweight in build, they are like wearing a plastic bag on your head and more suited for show than function.  Vents are a good thing, mesh crowns are even better!  High quality Panama hats use a weave pattern that although appearing solid does allow airflow – however, be prepared to pay for this mix of style and function.

Fit – You have to get your hat’s fit right.  Anything too tight and you’ll be feeling light headed before noon; too loose and the hat will be resting on the wrong areas of your head and will not promote proper airflow. Look for a quality tanned leather sweatband; fabric sweatbands are OK but will need replacing after extended wear.  Elastic sweatbands are found on lower quality hats – however for a first time price sensitive buyer they are an acceptable compromise.