Ways To Wear: Boat Shoes
Introduction
Off the back of a recent break down of the updated nautical trend, today’s eye is on the most maritime of footwear – the boat shoe. Defined by a rubber sole and lace fastening that details around the side and back, the boat (or ‘deck’) shoe is designed for sea leg style, hence the name.
However, its practical nature hasn’t stunted its popularity. The boat shoe has grown to become a vastly admired option with men of all ages, emerging in recent years as the definitive summer shoe. Despite the stigma of style saturation, it retains an ageless appeal with all the typical spring/summer credentials.
A firm seasonal favourite, Ben Jones broke down this year’s boat shoe offerings in his recent series on SS13 footwear trends. Part two detailed the likes of Louis Vuitton and Lanvin advocating the silhouette this season.
With the annual high fashion spin inevitable, it’s anticipated that high street brands will stick staunchly to a more traditional style. Needless to say, this is one fisherman’s footwear that is ubiquitous come warm weather, so wearing them in the right way is vitally important.
Look One: Off-Duty Casual
At its heart, the boat shoe is a casual style. Nautical associations mean it should be considered a shoe of leisure, not of business – keep it away from the boardroom and formal events, and dress it as such.
A high summer-appropriate polo shirt and shorts combination makes up the majority of this look, which is in keeping with the boat shoe ethos: casual, leisurely and suitable for warm weather. Add a splash of colour through the shoes (solid block-colour variations are a strong choice this season) to immediately separate your pair from the traditional tri-colour versions that will undoubtedly be gracing men’s feet up and down the country.
Keep a jacket on hand in case the weather turns at short notice, or to fend off the nightly chill. You can’t go wrong with a nautical-inspired wind breaker or lightweight rain jacket come the summer, although a bomber jacket would be another on trend consideration:
