by Heather Cone

Created on: May 05, 2009

Gone are the days when all a man needed was one pair of business shoes and one pair of sneakers. Designers have been working around the clock to offer casual shoes for men that are stylish, comfortable and unexpected. Don't throw out your sneakers, you may still need them for the occasional jog, but keep you eyes peeled because now there are options.

Sandals

Sandals offer a great alternative to sneakers and can be worn casually with slacks, jeans and shorts. Designers across the board showed these summer time essentials in more than 90% of their spring collections. Dolce and Gabana , Versace, Louis Vuitton and Hermes offered a variety, ranging from simple woven black leather to more daring brightly colored gladiator styles. A little too timid for the bright orange thong sandal? No need to worry, black and brown leather ruled the runways and always look great with any outfit.

Suede Lace Ups

These casual shoes give a more sophisticated appearance while still maintaining a casual comfort. Cavalli used this shoe abundantly throughout his spring/summer shows and paired them with everything from blue jeans to the ultimate summer staple, linen pants. The softness of the suede gives a more easy going look than the shiny leather business shoe and a more put together look than a sneaker.

Leather Slip On's

Before you reach for those tried and true old sneakers, try a pair of these designer favorites. Lacoste and Givenchy showed the most supple leather slip on's proving that comfort need not be sacrificed for style. Although some men are bold enough to were these with shorts, they are primarily fitted with pants and denim. The perfect shoe for dinner and a movie or a walk around the park.

Lace up Boots

Remember Doc Martins, the aggressive boot that defined the 90's? Well they are back and with a little more of a futuristic design. Only for the most adventurous man, these shoes can be a great remedy to the sneaker blues. Their in-your-face style could never be confused with a business shoe or a classic sneaker and will let your friends know where you stand. Literally.

So next time your invited out, or have invited someone out, don't just grab your smelly sneakers. You have options now that are just as comfortable but offer a little more style. And don't worry, these trends are not going anywhere, but just in case frugality is an issue, you can find these trendy alternatives at major discount chains as well as high end department stores.

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