Boat Shoes, Ahoy?
Get ready to sigh in disgust or jump with joy, for boat shoes are having a comeback. Or are they?
As rightly pointed out elsewhere, the boat shoe, too, falls under a peculiar category of products that we are regularly told are making a big, splashing return – and then they don't. Not really. Probably because they never actually go anywhere to begin with, unsinkable indeed.
Whichever way you put it, it is safe to say though that there seems to be an especially heightened awareness of them as we speak. Frequent sightings of their kind on runways and fashion prediction TikToks attest to this, too, Sperry much so.
How come? Well, if nothing else, blame Gen Z's obsession with dressing like old money and a subsequent High Street-ification of penny loafers and sweater vests.
But it's a tale as old as time, truly. Every shipwreck of a trend is thrown a life raft eventually, so it was only ever a matter of momentum before, like golfing or tennis before it, sailing, too, would be encroached on – not for the activity, but for its aesthetics.
Don't be fooled by first impressions though, as boat shoes are more eclectic of a genre than pop culture gives it credit for. Let the following examples prove there is potential for even the biggest of cynics to convert and become a maritime footwear fan.
Sail Away in this Summer's Best Boat Shoes
Dries Van Noten
A burgundy moccasin that, with its soft suede texture relieves this boat shoe of an overly preppy aura, leaning into something more casual, but no less luxe, instead.
Gucci
Symptomatic of quiet luxury, huh? That memo must've flown over Gucci's head. They've gone full gaudy here, covering theirs in the house's G monogram. Nothing's safe if not even boat shoes can be spared the logomania treatment.
Jacquemus
Back to something slightly subtler, find Jacquemus' creamy, dreamy boat shoes creepers. What they lack in pattern they make up for in chunk.
Paraboot
For a more conservative rendition, take to Paraboot's classic two-toned leather slippers.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Speaking of sartorial conservatism: to look of distinctly American wealth is a virtue, almost, and one Ralph Lauren helped coin. You didn't think it stopped at polo shirts, did you?
Timberland
Why even bother writing this article if not to mention Timberland? Amongst the OG boat shoe enthusiasts, their vast variety of the titular silhouette is nothing short of remarkable.
Visvim
The blue-hued leather and white soles of these boat shoes are indicative of how wonderfully serious the designer was about the nautical theme at hand.
Yuketen
Atop this model's platforms, you'll (light)tower over the rest of your newly regatta-savvy pseudo-sailor friends.
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