Goodbye Sneakers. Hello Grown-Up Summer Shoes. Let’s be honest: it was only a matter of time. The cultural saturation of sneakers—once a symbol of rebellious cool, now the uniform of tech bros and teenagers alike—has reached its natural peak. And in their place? A wardrobe of elegant, unbothered, post-sneaker era shoes that signal one thing: you’ve grown up, and you know how to dress for summer without looking like you just rolled out of a Soho House gym. This year, men’s summer footwear is embracing a new mood. It’s not about hype, it’s about heritage. Less “limited drop,” more “limited edition hand-stitched leather.” And while yes, you may still reach for your Veja trainers for a grocery run, when it comes to actually dressing for the season—vacations, weddings, dinners, or pretending to work from a rooftop terrace—these are the shoes that matter. From Peak Sneaker to Quiet Luxury: A Style Shift Cast your mind back to the years between 2015 and 2020. The golden age of sneaker culture. Yeezy drops crashed websites. Balenciaga’s Triple S turned orthopaedic into aspirational. People queued overnight for Off-White x Nike collabs, then immediately listed them on StockX with a £500 markup. Sneakers were less about comfort and more about flexing. They weren’t just shoes—they were cultural artefacts, status symbols, and often, an entire personality. But like all hype cycles, this one came with an expiration date. Fast forward to 2025, and the tides have turned. The loudness, the logos, the performative exclusivity—it's all started to feel… a bit much. The same man who once checked sneaker resale prices during meetings is now quietly investing in loafers from Northampton and arguing about suede nap direction. Because somewhere between post-pandemic introspection and the rise of "stealth wealth," sneaker culture lost its grip on fashion's pulse. In its place? The slow, steady resurgence of classic footwear rooted in quality, not clout. Quiet luxury—once a niche reserved for those in-the-know—has now become the defining aesthetic of the post-sneaker world. And nothing says "quiet luxury" like a well-made loafer, a softly-aged suede Derby, or a hand-stitched espadrille that doesn’t need a logo to prove its worth. Luxe Espadrilles The Riviera’s most relaxed export is no longer reserved for yacht club members and old cigarette ads. Espadrilles are having a moment, and this time they’re luxe, not lazy. In 2025, they’re made from woven linen, suede, or buttery canvas with stitched soles that nod to craftsmanship rather than convenience. Ideal for moving from poolside Campari to a beachside dinner where someone inevitably brings up postmodern architecture. Pair them with drawstring trousers, a short-sleeve Cuban collar shirt, and enough nonchalance to convince people you live in Palma. Snoafers Enter the Snoafer: the fashion industry’s latest attempt to have it both ways—and, annoyingly, it sort of works. Equal parts performance sneaker and penny loafer, this is what happens when someone at New Balance decides to experiment after one too many martinis at Chiltern Firehouse. The result? A mesh-paneled, sole-podded Frankenstein shoe that shouldn’t make sense but somehow does. It’s what you wear when you want the ergonomic smugness of a runner but need to pass as someone who reads the Financial Times on holiday. They’re divisive, yes. But in a season where formality is being quietly redrawn, Snoafers let you cheat the dress code without anyone realising. New Balance 1906L Shoes - £120.00 - Click here (UK) Suede Driving Shoes Driving shoes are a fantasy—one that involves a convertible in Tuscany, a silk scarf you didn’t iron, and someone named Giancarlo. Luckily, the shoes themselves are very real, and very wearable. The suede driving shoe—particularly from heritage brands like Tod’s—is an ideal middle ground between loafer and slipper, with just enough European flair to justify that Aperol at lunch. They’re lightweight, tactile, and perfect with white denim or tailored shorts. Do they work if you don’t drive? Absolutely. Do they still look great with a Negroni in hand? Even better. Barbour Courage Driving Shoes - £99.95 - Click here (UK) Tod's Gommino Bubble suede driving shoes - £445.00 - Click here (UK) Leather Deck Shoes The preppy renaissance continues, and the leather deck shoe is officially back from the country club. Originally designed for sailors, they’re now the uniform of Aimé Leon Dore fans and anyone who has strong feelings about vintage Rolexes. Wear them with chinos, a knit polo, and a heavy dose of East Coast nostalgia. Bonus points if you know who Paul Sperry is. Scarosso smooth-leather boat shoes - £274.00 - Click here (UK) Polo Ralph Lauren - Anders suede boat shoes - £195.00 - Click here (UK) Suede Derbies For the man who still believes in dressing like an adult (a rare breed), suede Derbies are essential. These are not your winter oxfords—they’re warm-weather workhorses that somehow manage to look both sharp and effort-free. British brands like Grenson, Church’s, and Crockett & Jones are making beautiful versions with Goodyear welting and top-grade suede, meaning they’ll age like your favorite leather briefcase. Pair them with relaxed tailoring or lightweight suits. Think: linen, but with purpose. Church's Shannon leather Derby shoes - £980.00 - Click here (UK) Dr. Martens Felix contrast-stitching derby shoes - £129.00 - Click here (UK) Leather Sandals Let’s clear something up: flip-flops are not sandals. Flip-flops are for the shower at Equinox. Leather sandals, on the other hand, are a grown man’s answer to staying cool while still appearing remotely put together. The key here is structure—wide straps, sturdy soles, and nothing that squeaks. They look best when paired with tailored shorts, a camp collar shirt, and a sense of knowing better. Birkenstock Milano leather sandals - £268.00 - Click here (UK) Giuseppe Zanotti strappy leather sandals - £322.00 - Click here (UK) Penny Loafers Penny loafers are your wardrobe’s best-kept secret. They somehow manage to be formal enough for a wedding, casual enough for a rooftop drink, and breathable enough to survive the Central line in July. G.H. Bass still makes the most classic version (if you care about pedigree), while Ralph Lauren and Brooks Brothers have reimagined them in glossy leathers for the Ivy League graduate who now works in branding. Invest in a pair from a Northamptonshire shoemaker if you want them to last longer than your current skincare routine. Tod's Leather penny loafers - £640.00 - Click here (UK) Dolce&Gabbana Altavilla suede penny loafers - £675. 00 - Click here (UK) White Sneakers Yes, white sneakers are still hanging on. But in 2025, they’re no longer the main character—they’re the understudy. If you must wear them, keep them minimal (think Common Projects or Axel Arigato), box-fresh, and free of unnecessary logos. And know that every time you do, a suede Derby quietly rolls its eyes. HUGO logo-print panelled sneakers - £175.00 - Click here (UK) Common Projects leather low-top sneakers - £305.00 - Click here (UK) The Final Word Summer and winter shoes aren’t just seasonally different—they speak entirely different languages. And this year, summer is speaking fluent Italian, with a slight British accent and a heavy emphasis on loafers. So retire the sneakers (at least temporarily), embrace the grown-up shoe, and let your footwear finally say what your wardrobe has been hinting at all along: you’ve evolved.