Tropical fashions are often misunderstood. There is a general perception that the only way to express a fashion sense in tropical locations is to wear a gaudy tropical shirt and some cheesy sandals. Womens shoes are actually plentiful in the tropical category. Espadrilles and sandals are only a couple of the main styles seen in remote tropical locations. There are a number of other footwear choices for men and women that encompass a varied cross section of styles. For women, shoes can take the form of flat-soled casual numbers or dressier high-heeled types. It is not unusual for someone on holiday to bring shoes from home. How many of us actually house true tropical shoes in our closets? Not many so the idea is to wear whatever shoes are comfortable at home. Clearly there are choices that are more appropriate in warm climates than others, but many crossover shoes will suit the bill in tropical island settings.
For men there is a tendency toward going too casual with tropical footwear. Lounging on the beach might call for a beat up pair of sandals, but their use should be mitigated by the circumstances. Sandals are worn without socks so they take up the perspiration absorbing slack that would otherwise be covered by a cotton sock. As a result, the shoes begin to take on a funky composition over time. The footbed of most shoes is made of leather so it is an organic and porous material. After many hours of wear the shoes will inevitably start to stink. As a rule, the sandals should not be worn in public once the funk is on board.