Boat Shoes, Flip-Flops + Loafers

As warmer weather takes hold, the men’s flip-flop resurgence continues, while the “Love Story” effect is driving heat around boat shoes and loafers. But what else is resonating in the men’s market? Here, executives from Bergdorf Goodman, Mytheresa, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Mr Porter, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus talk what’s hot for men’s shoes this spring and summer.

What men’s footwear styles are driving sales right now in your stores?

Young-Su Kim, vice president and general merchandise manager of men’s and men’s fashion director at Bergdorf Goodman: “Our customers continue to look for comfort and convenience but always in the context of quality and craftsmanship. They gravitate toward Loro Piana Summer Walks as examples of ‘hybrid’ style shoes, as well as leather and suede loafers with flexible soles and soft uppers.”

Sophie Jordan, menswear buying director at Mytheresa: “This season, sneakers continue to drive our footwear business. We still see strong double-digit growth but there is a cooling off on this category in fashion-forward styles, and a refocus on timeless, classic styles and colorways. Loafers continue to be our bestselling leather category, with strong double-digit growth. There isn’t one key trend this season, we see lower profile styles performing alongside more comfortable, heavier leather sole styles. Summer shoes, from sandals, slides and flip-flops, are all performing well — the common thread is that they are refined and minimal. Plus, the classic ‘white sole’ rubber sole loafer is also a mainstay within our business and continues to sell very well.”

Bruce Pask, assistant vice president of the men’s fashion office at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus: “Comfort-driven shoes, especially those that are ‘easy on, easy off’ styles, are resonating well with customers. Softly constructed loafers, slip-on sneakers with elasticized laces and classic driving shoes are all leading models. While sneakers are still a very important category, customers are looking to expand their shoe wardrobes with more occasion-specific footwear choices.”

Daniel Todd, buying director at Mr Porter: “Loafers from brands like Tom Ford and Gucci continue to be the key footwear category for men; they have always been a menswear staple but have really gained more traction in this ‘post sneaker world.’”

Jian DeLeon, men’s fashion director at Nordstrom: “Casual sneakers and performance runners that overdeliver on comfort have been resonating with the customer, but we are also seeing that dressier styles like derbies and loafers are equally important.”

David Thielebeule, fashion director at Bloomingdale’s: “Soft, deconstructed loafers are performing best — they feel relaxed but still polished. Slim, retro sneakers and elevated leather sandals are also strong, driven by comfort and versatility. Overall, the shift is toward clean, easy styles that still read considered.”

Is there an unexpected silhouette or material that consumers are looking for this season?

Jordan: “Texture and fabrications are key this season, with the gloss finish of eel leather on styles from The Row and Saint Laurent being bestsellers; and then fully woven leather styles from Brunello Cucinelli and Bottega Veneta. I am also selling color, our baby blue exclusive John Lobb ‘pace’ loafers are selling extremely well, and Tom Ford’s green suede driver loafers.”

DeLeon: “We’ve seen men start to embrace more relaxed interpretations of elegant footwear, like minimal loafers and lower-profile shoes. Suede is also becoming a great alternative for guys who want less of a break-in period than leather but something that still delivers on the style front.”

Pask: “Suede, especially when seen in sneaker styles, has been a surprising fabrication in high demand this spring season.”

After last year’s surprise boom, are flip-flops for men slated to be big again this summer?

Jordan: “I am confident of a strong season on flip-flops, there were so many more luxury options this season. And they were styled in so many diverse ways, from casual day to smarter, summer occasion looks, they will become an even more diverse option in a man’s wardrobe, beyond just on the beach.”

Kim: “Open-toe shoes for men always seem to be a debated topic. I am personally a believer in the trend, and flip-flops were a big statement on the runway this season. In the sandals category, the fisherman silhouette continues to look strong and offers more coverage, making the shoe an easier style for our customers to incorporate into their wardrobes.”

Todd: “I think they had a moment last summer but will really reach more of a critical mass this time around.”

Pask: “We saw plenty of flip-flops on the spring designer runways along with a wide variety of other sandal styles. Elevated versions of this favorite summer slip-on crafted in leather looked especially fresh when worn in a dressier way with trousers or shorts and a relaxed sport jacket for warm weather occasions.”

DeLeon: “I’d say they’re a perennial summer staple, and with the long winter we’ve had, I can imagine a lot of guys are going to want to embrace warm weather style in earnest.”

Thielebeule: Flip-flops are certainly back, but they’ve been refined — think leather, cleaner lines, and a more intentional feel rather than beachy basics. Designers have pushed them onto runways, and they’ve entered men’s everyday wardrobes, positioning them as a true warm-weather go-to.”

How about boat shoes — are they still trending this season for men?

Jordan: “I am currently up 60 percent on boat shoes this season versus last year, so it’s definitely a trend that’s still selling and has longevity. Bestselling brands this season include The Row, Saman Amel and Miu Miu.”

Pask: “The preppy revival continues, with new takes on the classic seafaring boat shoe style from Dior, Tom Ford and Gucci. They’re a great versatile, casual shoe option for sunny spring weekends that pair well with almost everything.”

Kim: “Boat shoes are a nice alternative to a loafer, and we saw this silhouette play a key role in the summer collections at Bottega Veneta, Loewe and Celine.”

DeLeon: “Boat shoes and moccasins are very relevant for warm weather dressing. As the Ivy style trend continues to be a big influence in menswear, these types of shoes are a key part of the look.”

Thielebeule: “They’re not as dominant as loafers or sandals, but they’ve gained traction as a relaxed alternative — and given the ‘Love Story’ effect, they’ll be hard to miss this summer. Nothing says Hyannis quite like a boat shoe.”

What are your thoughts on the ballet slipper trend for men?

Kim: “The ballet silhouette, in a men’s context, seems like a natural, but certainly fashion-forward extension of an overall trend in men’s shoes. The trend favors pared-down details and volumes coupled with the loafer shape. Last season, Tom Ford had a great version of the style that our customers really celebrated.”

Jordan: “The ballet pump trend is fun to see, it’s niche from a sales standpoint, but seeing the variety of brands embracing this shape, from Simone Rocha to Tom Ford, was something I also wanted to embrace in our buy for the man who isn’t afraid to take a risk.”

DeLeon: “These silhouettes are on the more directional side of the trend spectrum, but I can see the lower profile and minimal shape influencing men to embrace some version of a pared-down shoe.”

Thielebeule: “Only for the brave at this point. They’re niche, but we’ll be watching.”

What is resonating in the designer sneaker market?

Pask: “We continue to see the low-profile sneaker driving the designer athletic footwear market. These sleek, streamlined styles in both colorful nylon and more neutral-toned leather and suede versions look great with wider-legged trousers as well as skinny jeans, and every width in between. Vintage inspired detailing, especially the classic T-toe, has also been prominent.”

Kim: “Brands continue to show slim, martial arts-style silhouettes as opposed to the oversized and chunky styles that we’ve seen on the runways the last few seasons.”

DeLeon: “There’s an interesting intersection of outdoor culture and skate style resulting in sneakers that toe the line between both worlds, like the Prada Speedrock or newer brand Village PM.”

Jordan: “Sneakers have become less of a focus this season — there has been less development and newness coming through from a fashion point of view. What’s continuing to drive my business are classic, timeless sneakers and within this segment I have seen more of a hybrid influence coming through with smarter, runner style sneakers with nubuck and leather uppers.”

Thielebeule: “There’s a mix of nostalgia and experimentation — retro runners, subtle color, and hybrid styles are all gaining traction. Designers are moving away from overt logos and bulk, leaning instead into slimmer, low-profile silhouettes with elevated materials like suede, satin, and washed textures that feel more considered than technical.”

What’s the next “It” shoe for men?

Jordan: “The ‘slipper loafer’ will be a shape we see more of; a simple yet sleek shoe in supple leather that takes inspiration from Charvet slippers and the soft loafer trend. For summer sandals, I think next year we will see a bigger return to the fusbet sole, a focus on comfort but with more novel use of fabrications and detailing.”

DeLeon: “I’ve been seeing a lot of men gravitate towards very minimal takes on the loafer and slipper, the kind of shoe that travels well but could be worn with either a lightweight suit or pair of jeans.”

Todd: “Canvas shoes are definitely growing again and they’re a good way of working in color so I expect them to be a key summer style.”

Pask: “We’re also seeing a growing presence of the slip-on deck sneaker style, taking inspiration from classic skater sneakers as well as the coastal lifestyle.”