Men’s slippers and sandals are easy to group together as “simple footwear,” but the details matter. Across ADJOAA’s current selection, the difference between a relaxed slide, a dressier slipper and a more structured sandal comes down to silhouette, materials, finishing and the occasion you are dressing for.

This guide focuses on men’s African slippers and sandals from designers currently available on ADJOAA, with examples from Nigeria and Ghana. Rather than treating African footwear as one uniform style, it looks at the specific design choices that make each pair suitable for casual wear, traditional dress, events or statement styling.

For a broader look at the craft, materials and slow-production traditions behind the category, read our guide to sustainable African handmade footwear.

Slippers, slides and sandals: what is the difference?

A slipper or slide is usually open at the back and designed for easy on-and-off wear. A sandal may use broader straps, a back strap or more structure around the foot. In contemporary African fashion, those categories often overlap: a handcrafted slipper may have enough detail for formal dressing, while a sandal can be minimal enough for everyday wear.

The useful question is not simply “slipper or sandal?” but: what level of structure, decoration and formality does your outfit need?

1. Criss-cross slippers for sharp traditional and smart-casual looks

Cute-Saint’s Atona Black and White Criss-Cross Slippers are a strong example of a dressier men’s slipper. The product combines a criss-cross pointed-toe shape with locally handwoven Aso-Oke and deadstock leather. The black-and-white palette makes the pair easy to coordinate with neutral tailoring, monochrome native attire or outfits where you want the footwear to add pattern without dominating the look.

This kind of slipper works especially well when the rest of the outfit is clean and structured. The pointed shape makes it feel more considered than a basic pool-style slide, while the woven upper brings texture.

2. Embroidered double-strap sandals for craft-led dressing

If you prefer a broader sandal silhouette, Maliko’s Double Strap Sandals with Hand Embroidery Details bring the focus to handwork. Made in Nigeria, the design uses two wide straps with embroidered detailing, giving the sandal enough visual interest to work with plain linen, monochrome sets, relaxed tailoring or traditional outfits.

A pair like this is useful when you want the footwear to contribute craftsmanship to the outfit without relying on a loud colour. Embroidery, woven details and hand-finished leather can do the work that prints or jewellery might otherwise do.

3. Gold-detail slippers for polished occasion dressing

For a more decorative finish, The Akan Gold Ornament Slippers for Every Occasion from The Artisan Collection add metallic detail to a handmade Ghanaian slipper silhouette. The current product is offered in men’s sizing as well as women’s sizing, making it a flexible option for coordinated occasion dressing.

Gold-detail slippers are particularly easy to wear with cream, white, brown, navy, black, forest green, burgundy and other rich occasion colours. If your outfit already includes gold jewellery, cufflinks, embroidery or buttons, repeating that tone at the foot can create a more intentional finish.

4. Denim slides for relaxed everyday wear

Not every pair needs to be formal. Kumasi Denim Handmade Slides from The Artisan Collection show how the slipper category can move into casual dressing. Denim introduces a familiar everyday material, while the handmade construction keeps the pair visually distinct from mass-market slides.

Wear denim slides with cropped trousers, shorts, relaxed co-ords or a simple shirt-and-trouser combination. They are the kind of pair that can make casual dressing feel deliberate without looking over-styled.

What materials should you look for?

Material affects both the appearance and the way a pair ages. Leather and leather-lined styles tend to feel more polished and can develop character with wear. Woven textiles such as Aso-Oke add cultural and visual texture. Denim reads more casual. Embroidery and metallic ornamentation increase the sense of occasion even when the silhouette itself is simple.

• Leather: a strong option for refined everyday wear and formal styling.
• Woven textiles: useful when you want texture and craft to be visible.
• Embroidery: adds detail without necessarily adding bulk.
• Metallic accents: especially effective for weddings, celebrations and evening dressing.
• Denim and other casual textiles: best suited to relaxed outfits and day-to-day wear.

How to choose the right men’s slippers or sandals

Start with the occasion

For everyday dressing, a simpler slide or leather slipper is usually easier to repeat across outfits. For weddings, celebrations and traditional events, look for sharper shapes, richer materials, embroidery or metallic details.

Match the visual weight of the outfit

A heavily embroidered or layered outfit can benefit from footwear that is clean but polished. A minimal kaftan, linen set or simple tailoring can handle a more decorative slipper or sandal.

Think about colour before decoration

Black, brown, tan and cream are the easiest foundations. Once you have those covered, patterned, metallic, coloured or woven pairs become easier additions to a footwear rotation.

Check the sizing and production notes

Many artisan-made pairs on ADJOAA are made to order or available on a pre-order basis. Always check the current product page for sizing guidance, production timing and dispatch information before buying, especially when you need the footwear for a specific event.

How much do men’s designer slippers and sandals cost?

Prices vary by designer, materials, construction and whether a pair is made to order. Rather than fixing prices in this guide and letting them become outdated, use the linked product pages to see the current price, available sizes and production details for each style.

Which style should you choose?

Men’s slipper design FAQs

What is the best men’s slipper design?

There is no single best design for every wardrobe. For everyday wear, a simple slide or leather slipper is usually the most versatile. For traditional events and weddings, sharper shapes, woven textiles, embroidery and metallic details can create a more formal finish.

What are some current men’s slipper styles?

Across ADJOAA’s current selection, recurring styles include criss-cross woven slippers, embroidered double-strap sandals, gold-detail occasion slippers and casual handmade slides. The right choice depends on how formal you want the outfit to feel and how much detail is already present in your clothing.

Shop men’s slippers and sandals on ADJOAA

The best pair is the one that fits the way you actually dress. A versatile wardrobe may include a simple everyday slide, a polished leather or woven slipper and one more decorative pair for weddings and formal occasions.

Explore men’s slippers and the wider sandals collection on ADJOAA to compare current styles from African designers.