3 Easy Ways to Style Boat Shoes
Ahh, boat shoes. You’ve spotted them many a times while you walked through Sproul or danced at a frat party. A large majority of guys on campus own and wear this classic silhouette. The boat shoe is a perfect bridge between your high school Vans and a leather oxford. Invented by Paul Sperry to vanquish the possibility of slipping on a wet boat deck, the boat shoe is a men’s footwear mainstay that’s casual yet grown-up. This incredibly versatile shoe was made popular by preppy east coast frat bros but now graces the feet of men from every social make-up, frat bros and non-frat bros alike.
To provide you with some styling inspiration, we have picked out 3 easy-to-wear outfits that compliment the boat shoe. We have styled the boat shoe with no socks because boat shoes are meant to be worn with no socks (there are, however, invisible socks that you can buy to maintain the aesthetic but cut out the grime). Please enjoy.
Polo & Shorts
The polo and shorts combo capitalizes on the boat shoe's preppy origins since the polo's collar offers a dapper edge that a t-shirt lacks. A classic polo choice would be one made of pique fabric, which is an iconic piece that has been made world famous by the likes of Ralph Lauren and Lacoste. Wear one whose sleeves end at the middle of your biceps, and whether or not you want to let loose of a few buttons is your choice. Below the waist, you would do well with a pair of nicely-fitted (not too baggy please) chino shorts that end above the knee. You may accessorize your shorts with a nice fabric or leather-woven belt, if you were so inclined. As for the colors, we recommend you wear dark colored shorts if you have a light colored polo, or a dark polo with light colored shorts.
What you get is a relaxed but preppy look. Perfect for an intelligent, scholarly Berkeley student like you.
How people are wearing this outfit
Tee & pants
Arguably more simple than a polo and shorts combo, the classic t-shirt and pants combo looks great with the boat shoe. We recommend a t-shirt with a normal fit because an oversized shirt—while in fashion—is more of a street style piece that doesn't mix too well with the American prep style that a boat shoe evokes. Under the waist, a pair of nicely fitted chinos or jeans would look great. Since the boat shoes are worn sockless, you would want your pants to end a little higher. A little above the ankle would do. Do not fret if your pants are a little long; just roll the pants up two or three times for a nice, clean look.
This is a fool-proof outfit that's easy to throw on, which may be ideal for your morning classes or afternoon walk to VLSB.
How people are wearing this outfit
Shirt, Suit Jacket, & Chinos
As a testament to the boat shoe's versatility, we have dressed up a pair of Sperry's with a collared shirt and a suit jacket. Simply take your favorite pair of khakis or navy chinos and pair that with a light-colored button up. Lastly, throw on a casual suit jacket in a nice shade of gray or navy. For this look, the less structured the jacket is the better. This is because the boat shoe is more of a casual shoe choice, so it really compliments a more casual outfit. If you want to inject some extra pizzazz, stuff a pocket square in your jacket's chest pocket.
Donning this outfit, you will ooze effortless style as you mingle in your next social event.
How people are wearing this outfit
where to buy boat shoes
For those who do not currently own boat shoes but would like to peruse the internet for a stellar pair, you should search up boat shoes from Sperry Topsider and Timberland. Both companies offer a wide range of boat shoes in different fabrics and colors at a fair price. However, the classic will always be Sperry's Authentic Original, which I've linked here just for you.
Words by Jeffrey Wang