Most "fashion advice" is catered to either rich people looking to waste money, or midwesterners white collar workers trying to fit in at the office.
But if you go out in public, no one dresses like that. They're wearing a lot of canvas, denim and plaid, lots of face piercings and tattoos, hoodies and beanies. On the fancier end, you'll see oversized flannel jackers and dad sneakers. On older people it's a lot of carhartt and Patagonia.
Out in the suburbs younger people wear athleisure, and older people wear cargo shorts and t shirts.
But when you look at style guides it's like "your guide to chinos and blazers" but only the most obnoxious finance and tech bros wear that shit.
Where do you find style guides for normal people?
Fliflops are literally the most practical super hot weather leisure footwear. It’s the closest you can get to barefoot without worrying about stepping on broken glass. You’re not going to impress anyone wearing them but I’ve always thought they look fine with breezy summer clothes. Plus you can get them for like 5 bucks.
I'm sorry who are you? Did we go to school together or something? I'm afraid I don't recognize you.
Seriously though there is no godly reason to ever wear open-toed or anything that isn't secure on your feet. If you can't run flat out in it you shouldn't own it. "But Frank, that's paranoid and insane! Only someone who has spent their life getting shot at, running from cops, showing up first at accidents, walking for miles when your vehicle is disabled, avoiding bears, taking shortcuts, and fighting fascists would think like that!"
Lol. Brb, changing into my brogues. It’s 95 out and they are leather but at least they got those little pinholes in them for airflow.
Get some canvas shoes like chuck taylors.
Also throw out all your cotton socks. Wool is better in every way. they cost more but they also last vastly longer and the performance of light-weight wool socks in hot weather is dramatically better.
Okay, so, confession; My choice of shoes may be influenced by numerous traumatic events that most people probably have not experienced.
Oh I have some canvas shoes, which I will wear in hot weather (without socks) if there’s any chance of activity more intense than a casual stroll. But if I’m walking around the garden or to/from the beach, I’m wearing flip flops.
I otherwise fully respect your fashion advice. Wool is the superior fiber in almost every context, and is much of my wardrobe. My personal approach has been to buy used things of high quality that are frequently conservative/classic enough stylewise that I don’t foresee ever needing to replace them. I haven’t bought clothes in years. But I’m also probably a little older than most folks here so not sure I would suggest that as general advice.
My autism sure likes them. I only wear flip flops and combat boots.