Summer Shoes Self Styled with Elliot Aronow

Finding the right summer shoes can present three major sartorial challenges to the young go-getter. The first: you don't want to be too casual (no dusty Nikes, please). The second: you don't want to be too dressed up (black dress shoes in July make you look like the commuter train jerk who eats Lean Cuisine soup in his cubicle). And the last: you don't want to dress like a dad (sorry, Vampire Weekend fans, OG boat shoes now fit in this category).

Don't worry. There are options. One route to explore is to cop a pair of classy white oxfords or bucks. Bass does a suede buck in white (the Brockton model) that is a gentlemanly update on the shoes your mom bought you when you were little. I also really dig these Cole Haan Air Franklin oxfords in white. Usually I would totally clown a contrast sole (the kind brands are now doing in yellow or neon green), but in this case the blue gives it a nice pop and you won't look like you are trying too hard.

Another look is to go with something perforated. This will make the shoes more breathable and those micro holes look pretty cool, too. I really like these Rachel Comey Derringer shoes in tan. They go perfectly with jeans and a crisp white shirt.

I'm really just shouting out brands and models that I personally dig, so just think of these as points of departure to get you where you need to go. Think suede without a lot of laces, and colors like white, tan and light blue, and you will be on the right path. Easy.

About the Author

Elliot Aronow is a tv personality, editor and music and style hustler living in New York City. He is the host/producer/editor/publisher of OUR SHOW with Elliot Aronow and the Co-Founder of music site RCRD LBL. All of his hair and opinions are his own. Follow Elliot on Twitter @youngelz.

The author cuts up a (vintage Persian) rug w his scuffed up white bucks. Photo by Izzy Tuason for The Dandy Project