Why You Need To Get A Pair Of Boat Shoes ASAP

If you’d told us a few years ago that the humble boat shoe, that relic of preppy yacht clubs and Ivy League lawns, would sail back into fashion’s choppy waters, we’d have politely sipped our Negronis and changed the subject.

But here we are talking about the return of the boat shoes that have gone from being the uniform of retired golfers and coastal grandpas to the footwear of choice for runway anarchists, skater kids, and even the occasional Bollywood star.

And it’s not just happening in Milan or Paris, you can spot it on Indian streets, too.

Once upon a time, the boat shoe was built for sailors- grippy, saltwater-resistant. Then it became shorthand for upper-crust nonchalance: the sort of thing you’d wear with pastel shorts at a Goa villa or at a Sunday brunch in Bandra. But recently, something’s changed.

According to Business Of Fashion, luxury labels have decided to get playful. Miu Miu have deconstructed the silhouette into raw suede and bleached leather. Sacai have added thick Vibram soles that look like they could crush pebbles on Juhu beach. Whereas Bally slimmed it down, giving it an almond toe and a sleek heel which is a reminder of a cocktail party than catamaran. Even Jonathan Anderson, now at Dior, sent curved two-tone boat shoes down the runway.

The originals aren’t sitting quietly, either. Sperry, the OG since 1937, has collaborated with buzzy names like Todd Snyder and Monse to drop styles with vegetable-tanned leathers, funky beads, and even interchangeable laces that sold out faster than an Ed Sheeran gig.

3-Eye Lug Handsewn Boat ShoeInstagram/timberlandcambodia

While all of this might feel far way from the runways of Indian fashion, boat shoes are the perfect alternative for everything sneakers. They slide right into the space of experimentation and traditional combination. In fact, boat shoes right now come with a tag of versatility and a little bit of rebellion so they will go well with bandhgala jackets.

How to Wear Them Now

Forget the clichéd fit to pair your boat shoes. Yeah, we mean the white chinos and pastel polo look. That’s not the only scope of things for these pairs. Sure, tan leather and navy suede remain timeless but boat shoes today look better a little beat-up and unexpected. How about matcha green, taupe nubuck as conversation starters.

Instagram/markispace

Try them in dark suede or leather with relaxed trousers, drawstring shorts, or even a light summer suit. Look for updated details: chunkier soles, contrasting laces, or two-tone colourways.

Another way to style the pair is to dress them up without dressing down. Boat shoes by default have been paired up with shorts and tees but you can go maximalist as they look great under cuffed pleated trouser or even a cropped suit.

Moreover, high-fashion riffs from luxury brands like Dior (chunky soles and rounder shapes) have shifted the vibe from prep to streetwear adjacent so there's a lot of room to . Once seen as the preppy dad shoes, the newly found appreciation for these timeless, casual-yet-polished appealing shoes is not just an anecdotal woolgathering but part of the new foot renaissance!