How to Wear Boat Shoes: Outfit Ideas for Men

The boat shoe is one of the welcome remnants from the men’s nautical trend that graced us a few years ago. It is something of a footwear chameleon, able to be dressed up or down while sending the message of being sophisticated but comfortable. It’s a shoe most likely to be spotted by the hundreds in the members’ section at the cricket or anywhere Pimm’s is served, although it’s so much more versatile than that. In this guide, we give you expert advice on how to wear boat shoes for any occasion.

What are Boat Shoes?

The boat shoe has its roots in the 1930s as a solution to a severe lack of practical footwear for boating. Their inventor found inspiration in his dog’s ability to run along ice without slipping. Today’s boat shoe is more about the style, and given its versatility, should find itself in every man’s wardrobe before summer. The boat shoe comprises a soft rubber sole and an upper section usually made of treated leather or canvas. With a low, below-the-ankle profile, boat shoes lend themselves well to warmer weather. They feature short, typically leather, lacing on top with decorative laces around the sides, cutting a distinct silhouette.

When to Wear Boat Shoes

Typically, we shrug at the idea of steadfast rules for dressing that must never be broken, but boat shoes come with a few recommendations. Firstly, they are, for the most part, warm-weather shoes. Given a boat shoe’s low-profile and dressed-down look, they lend themselves well to the summer wardrobe. Paying attention to what you’re wearing with boat shoes is important. It’s not simply a matter of matching the color of your shoe to your belt. As a rule, don’t try to make them work with a tux or a tie. Socks are best avoided, too, although we’ve got some pointers on how you might break this rule. Boat shoes work best as a subtle counterpoint to the rest of your outfit. Dressing semi-formal? Let them do the heavy lifting to create a more approachable aesthetic. Is it hot enough for shorts? They can bring some maturity to an outfit that might otherwise be lost.

Smart Casual

The ‘smart casual’ dress code seems to cause more confusion than any other. By its very nature, it is a subjective and vague term, but few clothing items better exemplify the smart casual spirit than boat shoes. Chinos and boat shoes go hand-in-hand and will grant you tremendous versatility for various events. Rolling up the trousers’ cuffs lends an air of effortlessness necessary for the smart casual realm. Shorts are another option with the right context and outfit. Opt for a good fit, and pair them with a tailored shirt for balance. For footwear, it’s best to choose natural colors. Pair some shorts with navy, tan, white, or pale blue boat shoes for a summer vibe.

Business Casual

Another dress code with a loose definition, business casual is slightly less stiff than traditional corporate wear. Many may scoff at the idea of boat shoes for any business setting, but they can work and punctuate an outfit in the right circumstances. Be sure to err on the side of caution regarding colors and styles, and you’ll save yourself from sending too casual of a message around the office. Darker leather boat shoes in tan or brown complement deep navy, greys, and blacks, hallmarks of a business-casual aesthetic. Keep the cuffs on your chinos or tailored trousers rolled down again; respect your color combinations.

Semi-Formal

Shoes are central to the entire semi-formal look. If you’re donning a suit, the shoes are one of the few elements of your outfit that offer an alternate focal point. That’s particularly the case with semi-formal wear, in which your shoes will fully stop the rest of your dress. Don’t get too caught up in ensuring your boat shoes match your colors. Choosing a complementary but different color shoe will go a long way in creating an interesting dynamic. This is where your boat shoes can act as a counter-point and bring your formal wear down a notch.

How to Wear Boat Shoes With Jeans

Some men are apprehensive about wearing boat shoes with their jeans, while many seem more comfortable wearing jeans and white sneakers. But this combination is so natural that it should be sold together in a pack.
Opt for a pair of boat shoes of a similar tone to your jeans and use the color of the laces as a focal point.

Wearing Socks with Boat Shoes

If you mention wearing socks with boat shoes, many men will laugh in your face and walk away with blistered, un-socked feet. But as long as you are confident and smart with your selection of socks, you can bring this summer shoe into your winter wardrobe. If you put on socks with your boat shoes, you cannot just pick up a pair of woolen explorers and think they’ll do the trick. Think about how they work in tandem, and you can add another layer of interest to that part of your outfit. If you’re wearing a navy blue boat shoe, a splash of yellow can draw the eyes down in the best possible way.

How to Tie Boat Shoes

The question of how to tie your boat shoes pops up for most recent converts to this type of footwear. Most styles of boat shoes feature short leather laces, but they can be notoriously difficult to tie in an attractive way. Although the laces are primarily there for aesthetic value, they must be tied one way or another. Below are four common variations for tying boat shoe laces.

• Surgeon’s Knot, which results in a visible traditional shoelace knot.
• Fishtail Knot resulting in no visible knot but instead neatly crossed-over laces.
• Barrel Knot a classic look that’s unique to boat shoes.
• Tassel Knot a twist on the traditional barrel lace look.

Boat Shoes Style Tips

• Decide on the situation you will be wearing the boat shoes.
• Choose a shoe style that matches your outfit.
• Select a canvas or leather boat shoe.
• Settle on jeans, chinos, or trousers to compliment your shoes.
• Choose a top to finish off your look.

Roger Grindstead

Fashion Designer / Writer

Roger Grinstead is a senior apparel designer for X2U with over 25 years of expertise in the fashion industry. He has expertise in menswear and womenswear trends and product development. When Roger is not designing the latest fashion garments, he enjoys writing about men's fashion, hairstyles, and grooming.