To Sandal or Not to Sandal?

Summertime is upon us: time for barbecues, beach days, a slew of summer nuptials--and bad footwear. You shouldn't have to sacrifice comfort for fashion, but there are ways to look stylish in shorts. Put away the athletic shoes, keep your Tevas on the trail, and for heaven's sake put down the Crocs.

Here's a guy's guide for summer footwear beyond the flip flop, each for under $50.

Here are five summer styles that will help make your feet look more fashionable:

Let's say it's a friend's barbecue and you need to step it up a notch. Nothing screams "I'm on a boat!" like the right pair of boat shoes. They look great with shorts, and this style from Urban Outfitters come in an array of colors for the discerning yachtsman/beef enthusiast.

Dressing up for a wedding? Those brown/black dress shoes just don't feel right when the days get longer. I'm a huge proponent of Authentic Vans lace-ups in bone or white with a summer suit. They're cheap, all purpose, and when they get too smudged and dirty, you can throw them in the washing machine. Can your loafers do that?

A nice pair of slip-ons is nice in hot weather, and summer is the best time to try a patterned shoe. Get something plaid or striped to make your tee-shirt and shorts combo a little more eye catching. Try a pair of TOMS; they're breathable, they look great, and for every pair you purchase, they donate a pair to a child in need. Here's a code to save $7 on your order.

So, maybe you're reading this thinking "I'm a guy. I don't need 25 pairs of shoes. Just one!" Well, here's an all-purpose shoe that'll take you from the beach to dinner and beyond. Try a sleek pair of neutral slip-on tennis shoes. They'll look great with almost any color; even black will get a summery update. Jack Purcell makes a stylish pair available at 6pm.com.

Now you know there is summer footwear beyond flip flops. But guys--if you absolutely must sport a pair of thongs, keep 'em classy like this pair from Kustom. Use one of our Shoes.com codes and save 15% and get free shipping.

And there you have it--five fabulous examples of footwear that will keep you both looking and feeling cool during the summer.