Though summer is an inherently casual season, there are plenty of us that prefer a touch of polish over endless days in jandals or colourful trainers.
Your choice right now? Reach for a pair of boat shoes.
Long associated with preppy style, the rubber-soled shoes of course make sense if you’re stepping aboard this season. But the shoes are gaining a fashion-crowd-cred that is extending well beyond sea-faring folks and we’re here for it.
The boat shoe style is said to have originated in the 1930s, when American sailor Paul A. Sperry created a non-slip rubber sole inspired by his dog’s grip on ice, designing the shoe for better traction and durability on wet boat decks.
Though the leather or suede shoes with leather lacing clearly has a long history and trend cycle that ebbs and flows, boat shoes have been popping up more regularly for the last couple of season in runway collections from the likes of Miu Miu, JW Anderson, Jacquemus, The Row, Burberry, Loewe and Prada.
The fashion crowd of all genders has run with the idea, switching out the long-loved loafers for classic boat shoe styles, often worn with white or colourful crew socks on display with dresses or cropped trousers. Some styles even create a hybrid of the two, with a more firm sole or in suede with a softer moccasin-style silhouette.
If you’re looking to switch up your outfit style for summer as well as buy into a trend that will extend well into Autumn, here are the best pairs to shop now:
Miu Miu
Bared
R.M. Williams
Bally
Sperry
Kathryn Wilson
Timberland
