The sandal's silent revolution: barefoot fashion takes over
Blake Abbie’s whisper of a sandal – a mere leather cord and a thread of sole – is the latest signal of a seismic shift in menswear. Forget the conspicuous, the chunky, even the vaguely sporty. The new uniform is almost invisible, a return to a minimalist aesthetic fueled by running and a surprisingly strong embrace of barefoot living.
A radical return to essence
The trend, spearheaded by Literary Sport’s collaboration with Xero Shoes, is stripping footwear down to its absolute core. We’re seeing sandals with a 5.5mm sole – a fraction of the cushioning found in traditional running shoes – and the emphasis is squarely on lightness, breathability, and the sensation of ‘going barefoot’. It’s a deliberate rejection of the bulk and performance-driven design that’s dominated the athletic shoe market for decades, a calculated move fueled by a renewed interest in the primal connection with the ground.
From runway to reality
This shift isn’t confined to the catwalk. Celine’s spring 2027 menswear collection featured similar designs, and the aesthetic has permeated men’s fashion weeks, seen on show-goers and emerging designers alike. Jamie Haller’s aptly named ‘String Theory’ sandals – a complete departure from her signature loafers – are a prime example. Even Loeffler Randall’s Mika sandal, previously a popular choice, feels suddenly cumbersome in comparison.
The influence of running
Literary Sport’s creative director, Jackie McKeown, explains the genesis of this trend. “There’s a history in the running sandal,” she states. “It was why it felt appropriate when we started styling with it.” They’ve purposefully moved away from aggressive, flashy apparel, opting for gracefulness and restraint – a fundamentally different approach to sportswear. It’s a ‘refined, delicate’ aesthetic, reflecting a broader trend of ‘elevated sports’ influencing menswear.
Beyond the footwear
The underlying motivation, McKeown argues, is a desire to move beyond prescriptive sportswear. “For me, as someone who runs but works in fashion, I’m never just in running clothing, it’s not so prescriptive. There’s always that in-between.” The pairing of Literary Sport’s minimalist designs with a bottle of water – a symbol of pure, unadulterated function – underscores this philosophy. It’s about stripping away the excess, revealing the essential.
A quiet rebellion
The movement, championed by figures like ‘Barefoot Chris’ at The Society of Barefoot Living, is about reclaiming a connection to the earth and challenging the formality of traditional men’s dressing. These aren’t just sandals; they’re a statement – a quiet rebellion against over-engineered footwear and a deliberate embrace of simplicity. And, according to Abbie, at least, they look damn good doing it.