Sun’s out, toes out? No thank you, says a good chunk of the population. While sandals may just be the oldest style of footwear on record, predating the now-ubiquitous sneaker by a good millennium or two, the strap-laden toe-baring shoes that creep out during summer still prove somewhat divisive. We at MR PORTER are for the most part fans – we’ve devoted a whole list to our favourites here – but equally we can understand the aversion to semi-nude feet in public, whether they be your own or a stranger’s.

In light of the above, we thought it fair to cater to all tastes in the shoe department this season. Sandals may seem inescapable at present, but if you fall into the podophobic camp or are simply in-between pedicures, then let us assure you that there’s no shortage of more modest picks, too.

Below, we’ve curated an edit of closed-toe shoes that feel right for summer – be they lightweight and breathable, sturdy enough for evening strolls, sunny in disposition or all of the above.

It wasn’t too long ago that we hailed the resurgence of the deck shoe. The reality is that this timeless silhouette never left certain scenes. First imagined by the American photographer and entrepreneur Paul A Sperry in 1930s Connecticut, boat shoes quickly became a staple in any style-discerning East Coast yacht club, before finding his footing overseas. Today, it comes in all sorts of versions, from TOM FORD’s low-profile nubuck pair to Sebago’s Portland styles, still made with the original anti-slip soles.

Nailing holiday-mode refinement is as easy as investing in the right pair of espadrilles, even if you’re far from offshore beaches. Brands such as Christian Louboutin, Brunello Cucinelli and Manolo Blahnik all offer up their own take on the classic. Lightweight canvas styles – in pastel or summery colours – are perfect for the day, while more elevated pairs, made from tactile suede or leather, won’t look out of place with tailoring in the evening.

OK, these still fall under the sandal category, but hear us out. You certainly won’t have to bare much skin, and even better, they’re just as comfortable as any other silhouette for long strolls and days out. Understated leather styles such as Loro Piana’s are an easy choice with smarter getups – think tailoring or a linen two-piece. More directional designs will work best with shorts or jorts, depending on the occasion.

Car shoes date back to the 1960s. Patented by Italian artisan Gianni Mostile, the first ever pair was designed to equip high-performance vehicle drivers with better grip and pedal feel compared to traditional dress shoes. The design hasn’t looked back since – the grip still comes by way of small rubber pebbles on the soles, which, alongside the more aerodynamic silhouette, set driving shoes apart from classic loafers. They’re typically made from suede or leather, as these pairs from Tod’s, Mr P. and Valentino Garavani can attest.

A few years back, clogs emerged as the shoes to wear, er, pretty much anywhere. No, not the wooden klompen from the Netherlands, but footwear that combine the comfort of house slippers with premium materials, so that one can acceptably wear them out of the house. Contemporary iterations that now come in all shapes and guises, from CELINE HOMME’s subversive embellished mules to Charvet’s ultra minimalist (and refined) slip-ons.

Sneakers should be part of any style-discerning year-round wardrobe, but there are certain designs that are particularly suited to summer. Think, for instance, lighter materials such as canvas, mesh and suede used by LOEWE and New Balance or low-profile, uber-luxurious silhouettes from TOM FORD and Brunello Cucinelli, which will complement shorts nicely.