How To Not Look Like A Dork In Sandals

Due to the combined offenses against Proper Sandal Wearing perpetrated by hordes of tourists at Disneyland and your dad, you’ve been avoiding sandals like the plague since the day you said goodbye to Boy Scouts. And while that attitude protected you from plenty of fashion faux-pas, it has also meant that you’ve been missing out on this warm-weather staple for far too long.

Here, we share our do’s and don’ts for rocking sandals the right way.

Do: Know where you’re headed

Supportive, waterproof sandals like the ones made by Teva are perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and walking along the beach. In other words, these are perfectly acceptable shoes—as long as you don’t try to wear them with your suit. ‘Nuff said.

Do: Keep it simple

We’re all for a maximalist moment every now and then, but when it comes to sandals, you’d do best to keep it streamlined. A simple gray pair from Teva gives a sporty-urban update to your printed shorts and button-up shirt.

Don’t: Wear it with socks

Ok, we’ll admit that this rule—like any fashion rule—can be broken, but in general, it’s safer to just say no. Socks with sandals are most frequently seen on vacationing grandpas. So unless you are one of the truly sartorially superior (or like being mistaken for a senior citizen on his way to Florida), avoid them.

Don’t: Wear with cargo shorts

We could question your judgment over owning cargo shorts in the first place, but let’s assume you have a good reason. Even so, pairing them with your sandals is the surest way to land yourself in Dadzone—and no, we’re not talking the My-name-is-Brad-and-this-is-my-wife-Angelina kind of dad.

Teva sandals are a supportive, hardy and breezy alternative to your summer sneakers. Just make sure you don’t profane their good name (not to mention your own) by wearing them the wrong way.

Teva sandals are a “do” for men.