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parts
1Choosing Boat Shoes
2Pairing Boat Shoes with an Outfit
3Breaking in Boat Shoes
Other Sections
Tips and Warnings
Related Articles
Expert Interview
References
Article Summary
Co-authored byAlena Le Blanc
Last Updated: February 19, 2024
Boat shoes, also called deck shoes, are typically made of leather and have a soft rubber sole. These shoes can pair well with a wide variety of styles, such as preppy, casual, or unconventional. Although they are diverse, they are best suited for warm weather looks.
Part 1
Part 1 of 3:
Choosing Boat Shoes
1
Choose brown leather for a diverse and classic look. Light or dark brown leather is the most common and traditional boat shoe material. Brown boat shoes are a great choice because they pair well with a variety of outfits—such as jeans and a T-shirt or a button-up and shorts. Plus, this color shows the least amount of stains.[1]
2
Try navy blue shoes for a nautical look. Navy blue shoes are another good option for boat shoes because they are also fairly diverse. They especially pair well with a nautical beachy look—like a striped shirt and white pants. Or, you could wear them with a sundress for a more feminine look.
- White boat shoes are also an option for a nautical look, but they are harder to keep clean than navy blue shoes.
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3
Go for brightly colored shoes for an unconventional look. Boat shoes come in all kinds of different colors and designs. You could choose brightly colored choose as a way to accent your outfit, or as a way to be comfortable, yet unconventional. For example, match red boat shoes with a pair of jeans and a white or red polo.
- You can also wear boat shoes that have a pattern, such as polka dots or stripes.
4
See AlsoHow to Dry Sperrys: 11 Steps (with Pictures)How to Tie Sperry Boat ShoesA Guide to Men's Deck ShoesSperry 0197640 AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL Boat Shoes Sahara LeatherPick a shoe that fits comfortably. Boat shoes are meant to be comfortable, so it is important that they fit correctly. When you stand, there should be a .5 inches (1.3cm) of space between your big toe and the tip of the shoe. The ball of your foot should fit comfortably and securely into the middle portion of the shoe.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:
Pairing Boat Shoes with an Outfit
1
Wait to wear them until spring or summer. Boat shoes are ideal for warm weather because they are lightweight and leave the upper part of your foot exposed. It is also better to wear them during warm weather because they pair well with lightweight spring and summer attire. For example, a light sweater would look great with them, but a heavy winter jacket may look awkward.
2
Choose shorts with your boat shoes. Since boat shoes are ideal for warm weather, they look great with a pair of shorts. You can dress them up by wearing a pair of shorts with a button-up shirt. For a more casual look, wear them with a tank top or T-shirt.[2]
3
Wear your shoes with straight-leg or tapered pants. Because a lot of the detail is in the top of the boat shoes, they look best when the whole shoe is shown off. That, however, doesn’t mean you are limited to shorts. Choose a pair of straight-leg or tapered pants to go with boat shoes. Or, wear them with rolled up pants.
4
Don’t show your socks with your boat shoes. Boat shoes are low cut and meant to be worn without socks. If you must wear socks with them, choose a pair that would not show above the tops of your shoes.
5
Avoid wearing them with formal attire. Boat shoes pair well with semi-formal outfits, such as a pair of slacks and a blazer. They do not, however, pair well with a tuxedo. Choose a lightweight loafer if you are looking for a shoe to wear for a summer wedding or other formal occasion.[3]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:
Breaking in Boat Shoes
1
Wear them for 1 hour every day. Since boat shoes are usually made of leather, it will take some time to break them in. Start by wearing them around your house for an hour each day. If they feel fairly comfortable, you can wear them for 2 hours each day.
2
Walk around in your shoes. Wear your boat shoes when you plan to be walking around the house rather than sitting at your desk. Your shoes won’t break in quickly if you wear them but don’t move. Spend the 1 or 2 hours walking around your home. You can also rock back and forth in them so that they can mold to your foot.
3
Increase the amount of time wearing the shoes each day. Once the shoes feel like they’ve started to break in, increase the amount of time you wear them around the house. Continue to increase the time as they feel more comfortable. Don’t wear them out of the house until you feel confident they won’t hurt you after a few hours of wear.
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Expert Q&A
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Question
Are there any other ways to pair boat shoes?
Alena Le Blanc
Personal StylistAlena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University.
Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist
Expert Answer
When styling boat shoes, consider pairing them with natural fabrics like thin cottons and linens for a polished look. For men, they complement well with custom chino pants or shorts. Women can effortlessly pull off boat shoes with a longer shirt for a chic and comfortable ensemble. The versatile nature of boat shoes makes them suitable for various casual and semi-casual outfits, adding a touch of nautical flair to your overall style.
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Tips
Purchase protective spray specifically made for leather shoes to prevent stains.[4]
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Avoid leaving your shoes out in direct sunlight when you aren’t wearing them in order to prevent fading.[5]
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Warnings
Boat shoes are often worn without socks, so they can begin to smell quickly. Leave baby powder or kitty litter in the shoes overnight to get rid of odor.[6]
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Use a dry brush to remove stains. Do not use water or stain remover.[7]
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about fashion, check out our in-depth interview with Alena Le Blanc.
References
- ↑ https://www.thetrendspotter.net/how-to-wear-boat-shoes-for-any-occasion/
- ↑ https://www.ties.com/blog/style-tip-boat-shoe-dos-and-donts
- ↑ https://www.ties.com/blog/style-tip-boat-shoe-dos-and-donts
- ↑ https://www.ties.com/blog/style-tip-boat-shoe-dos-and-donts
- ↑ https://www.ties.com/blog/style-tip-boat-shoe-dos-and-donts
- ↑ https://www.ties.com/blog/style-tip-boat-shoe-dos-and-donts
- ↑ https://www.ties.com/blog/style-tip-boat-shoe-dos-and-donts
About this article
Co-authored by:
Alena Le Blanc
Personal Stylist
This article was co-authored by Alena Le Blanc. Alena Le Blanc is the Personal Stylist and the Founder of Le Blanc Label. Based in San Francisco, California, Le Blanc Label is the leading personal stylist brand for sustainable style transformations. Alena and her team specialize in seasonal wardrobe refreshes, closet edits, styling for special events, travel, photoshoots, and general personal needs. Alena has been featured in podcasts including EMPOWERED BY WMN, I Am Fearless, and Mind Power Meets Mystic. Alena received her BFA in Fashion and Apparel Design from the Academy of Art University. This article has been viewed 24,411 times.
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Co-authors: 7
Updated: February 19, 2024
Views:24,411
Article SummaryX
To wear boat shoes, pair them with your favorite casual clothes in the spring and summer. For example, boat shoes look great with shorts, straight-leg or tapered pants, and jeans. Since boat shoes are low-cut, remember to wear them without socks or with socks that aren't visible above the ankle. Opt for laid-back tops like T-shirts, short-sleeved button-ups, and tank tops to complete your casual look. For tips on choosing a boat shoe style and color, read on!
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