If you’d told me a year ago I’d be Googling how to wear boat shoes without picturing my dad on a marina holiday, I wouldn’t have believed you. Alas, here we are. The once decidedly preppy, slightly salt-of-the-sea staple seems to have drifted from yacht decks into the wardrobes of the fashion set, and you don't even have to set foot on a boat to warrant adding them to your shoe rotation
Originally designed in 1935 by Paul A. Sperry, the boat shoe was all function: non-slip rubber soles, soft leather, and laces you could yank tight mid-sail. It became shorthand for a certain kind of East Coast Americana, later adopted by the menswear crowd as a summer essential worn with chinos. But in 2026, they've had a bit of a rebrand.
On the streets of Copenhagen and Paris Fashion Week, it was clear the cool girls had reimagined the boat shoe aesthetic, styled with everything from oversized tailoring to bare legs and boxy jackets. Leading the charge? Actress Emma Corrin, who has a knack for making classic pieces feel entirely modern - their take on boat shoes proving just how versatile they can be.
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So, if you’re curious on how to sail out on this footwear trend, here’s exactly how to wear boat shoes this summer.
With a cropped trench coat and Bermuda shorts
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This is the outfit that convinced me I might just need to invest in a pair of boat shoes. When worn with a cropped trench, tailored Bermuda shorts, and minimal accessories, the shoes instantly go from deck hand to off-duty model. The trick here is proportion: keep the coat boxy, the shorts relaxed, and let the shoe add just enough formality. A soft suede pair works particularly well against classic outerwear.
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If you’re going to lean into the slightly retro feel of boat shoes, you may as well commit. Double denim gives it that off-duty, borrowed-from-the-boys energy, while contrast laces (think red or tan) stop it from feeling too flat.
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With a tailored suit
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Boat shoes and a power suit? Im listening. Swapping out loafers or heels for boat shoes with tailoring instantly softens the look, ideal if you want to wear a suit but don't want to feel too corporate. Stick to classic tones like dark brown or tan leather, and let the rest of the outfit stay sharp. A slightly oversized blazer helps balance the informality of the shoe.
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The undone preppy look
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The world moved on far too quickly from the frazzled English woman aesthetic for my liking. An ode to the British heroines of the noughties - think Bridget Jones or Iris from The Holiday - the boat shoe slots neatly into that slightly undone, endearing way of getting dressed. There’s something a little nostalgic about them, almost like they’ve been borrowed from a grandfather’s wardrobe, which makes them perfect for balancing out a more thrown-together outfit.
Slip them on with a suede midi skirt, an oversized blazer and a shirt that’s not tucked in too neatly. It’s relaxed, a bit chaotic, but still entirely appropriate for a day at the office, exactly the kind of outfit that looks better the less you overthink it.
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Boat shoes are at their best when you can actually see them, which is where cropped trousers come in. Whether you go for ankle-length tailoring or a straight-leg jean with a slight crop, the idea is to give the shoe space to do its thing. Add a lightweight trench or simple knit and you’ve got an outfit that feels easy but still intentional.
