Sneakers, Sandals or Loafers: What Shoes Should You Wear? Your Style Guide for Every Occasion
Every morning as we're getting ready the same question comes up: what shoes should I wear? The sneakers are the easiest option, the loafers are the most stylish and the sandals are absolutely perfect in the heat. Get it wrong and you're either overdressed, underdressed or you're hobbling by lunchtime.
This guide is all about men's shoes and women's shoes so your footwear is appropriate for the occasion, the weather and your own personal comfort. We'll look at when each style is appropriate, how to wear it and what to avoid.
Why Your Footwear Matters More Than You Think
Shoes can make or break an outfit. Great clothes with the wrong pair of shoes look absolutely awful, whereas a very plain outfit with the right shoes looks put together. They also have an effect on your posture, your energy levels and how your feet feel by the end of the day.
If you’re wondering how to choose the right shoes, start with four quick questions:
- Where are we going? Office, casual lunch, wedding, beach or a long walk?
- What's the weather like? Hot, wet and cold all change the answer.
- How much time will you actually be on your feet? Long days obviously call for comfortable shoes with real support.
- What are you wearing? Your level of formality should be in line with your footwear.
Sneakers: The Everyday Favorite
Sneakers are by far the most versatile shoes in most wardrobes. They're the go to for errands, travel, the casual workplace, weekend stuff etc and they look absolutely natural on pretty much everyone.
Sneakers for Women
Sneakers for women have really moved on from the gym. A clean white leather pair will go with jeans, a midi skirt, tailored trousers and a casual dress. Look for a good cushioned insole, a flexible sole and a secure heel so that your foot doesn't slide around.
How to Style Sneakers
If you’re unsure how to style sneakers, these rules help:
- Keep them clean. White or neutral sneakers look far better when they're clean.
- Match the vibe. Minimalist leather sneakers will obviously dress you up, chunky trainers are perfect for streetwear.
- Balance the proportions. Slim trousers work perfectly with chunkier sneakers and loose trousers with more discreet sneakers.
- Try tonal outfits. Echoing one colour of your outfit in your trainers looks very intentional.
When Sneakers Are the Best Choice
- Walking, travel, and long days on your feet
- Casual offices and relaxed workplaces
- Weekend outings, shopping and coffee dates
- Light outdoor activity
Skip them when the dress code is formal (e.g. black tie events, traditional business meetings).
Loafers: Smart, Comfortable and Easy to Slip On
Loafers sit comfortably between sneakers and formal shoes. They're neat and presentable without being stiff, and with no laces to tie they're the sort of shoe you can just throw on.
Men’s Loafers
Men's loafers come in a variety of styles (penny, tassel, horsebit, suede etc). The good ones will be made from quality leather or suede, with a flexible sole and a good cushioned footbed.
A few easy pairings:
- Brown suede loafers with chinos and a linen shirt
- Polished black penny loafers will finish off a navy suit when the code is smart.
- Tan loafers with dark jeans and a plain tee
When to Wear Loafers
Not sure when to wear loafers? They work well for:
- Business casual offices
- Dinner dates and restaurants
- Weddings and semi-formal events (in dark, polished leather)
- Smart casual travel days
- Summer outfits, where they can replace heavier lace-up shoes
They're a poor match for heavy rain, long hikes or tough workouts really. Leather and suede both hate puddles and the soles aren't up to the job of dealing with rough going.
Loafer Sneakers for Men
If you can't pick between the two then men's loafer sneakers are the answer. They have the slip on shape of a loafer and the cushioned sole of a sneaker. They're ideal for anyone who wants a smart look without sacrificing comfort and are very much the shoe of choice for commuting, travelling and casual Fridays.
Loafers v sneakers: which one should you pick?
The loafers vs sneakers debate comes down to context. This chart makes the choice quick:
| Occasion | Suggested footwear |
|---|---|
| Business casual office | Loafers |
| Long walking day or sightseeing | Sneakers |
| Dinner date | Loafers |
| Weekend errands | Sneakers |
| Semi-formal wedding | Loafers |
| Casual airport travel | Sneakers (or loafer sneakers) |
| Rainy day | Sneakers |
| Summer smart-casual look | Loafers (with no-show socks) |
A simple rule of thumb really: for a polished look go for loafers. If it's all about comfort and movement then you're going to want sneakers.
Sandals: Your Hot-Weather Hero
Sandals keep your feet cool so are ideal for warm days, holidays and a relaxed kind of thing. There's still a right and a wrong time to wear them.
When to Wear Sandals
Wondering when to wear sandals? These are the best moments:
- Hot summer days and beach holidays
- Casual weekend outings
- Poolside, resorts and outdoor markets
- Relaxed evenings with friends
- Informal events, as long as the sandals are dressy enough
Skip them in formal offices, on long walks over rough ground, in the cold or in the rain and anywhere closed shoes are the thing.
Sandals for Women
Women's sandals are a very wide ranging category indeed: flat slides, strappy heels, sporty walking sandals, platforms and elegant block heels. For all day wear you'll want to look for an adjustable strap and some arch support. For more formal occasions you can go for the metallic or the minimal leather.
Quick Sandal Tips
- Keep your feet groomed as sandals will show everything.
- If you're going to be walking a lot then go for some solid straps.
- For a cleaner look, go for leather or sport sandals rather than the flimsy flip flops.
Crocs: Comfort-First Footwear
Love them or hate them, Crocs have definitely earned a place in the average person's wardrobe. They're lightweight, they're waterproof, they're easy to clean and they're very comfortable.
Men’s Crocs
Men's Crocs are ideal for casual days, for travel, for gardening, for the beach, for long periods on your feet. You've got clogs, you've got slides, you've got lined versions for the various seasons. They're not for formal or professional environments by any means, they're just the sort of shoe you'd wear in a casual environment.
Crocs for Women
Crocs for women are now available in platforms, wedges, sandals and clogs. Wear them with relaxed jeans, some shorts or a casual dress for a really relaxed, fun look. If you like to have a bit of a personalised touch then you can of course add on a few charms.
How to Choose Comfortable Shoes, Whatever the Style
Even the best-looking pair is a bad buy if it hurts. Use this checklist for comfortable shoes:
- Shop in the afternoon. Your feet swell during the day so you'll get a far better idea of how the shoes will fit.
- Leave a thumb's width of space in front of your longest toe.
- Check the arch support. Flat, rigid soles will soon tire your feet.
- Test the heel grip. Your heel mustn't slip as you walk.
- Look at the materials really. Breathable fabrics, soft leather and cushioned insoles make a massive difference.
- Just walk around the store. A pair that's perfectly fine standing still can be a bit of a rub once you start to move.
Quick Guide: What shoes should I wear?
Need a fast answer? Use this:
- Casual office day: Loafers or clean minimalist sneakers
- Formal event: Dress shoes or polished leather loafers
- Hot weather or holiday: Sandals
- Long day on your feet: Cushioned sneakers
- Comfort-first casual day: Crocs or sneakers
- Dinner out: Loafers, dressy sandals or stylish sneakers
Final Thoughts
There's no such thing as the one best shoe, just the best shoe for the situation. Sneakers are the go to for day to day comfort and versatility. Loafers will add a touch of polish with virtually no effort at all. Sandals are obviously the choice if you're in the heat. Crocs are all about relaxed comfort.
The next time you're asking yourself "what shoes should I wear?" think about where you're going, what the weather's like and how much walking you're going to do. Whichever pair you end up with, make sure it's comfortable from the very first step as comfort will carry the look throughout the day.