Look One: Off-Duty Casual
At its heart, the boat shoe is a casual style. Nautical associations mean it should be considered a shoe of leisure, not of business – keep it away from the boardroom and formal events, and dress it as such.
A high summer-appropriate polo shirt and shorts combination makes up the majority of this look, which is in keeping with the boat shoe ethos: casual, leisurely and suitable for warm weather. Add a splash of colour through the shoes (solid block-colour variations are a strong choice this season) to immediately separate your pair from the traditional tri-colour versions that will undoubtedly be gracing men’s feet up and down the country.
Keep a jacket on hand in case the weather turns at short notice, or to fend off the nightly chill. You can’t go wrong with a nautical-inspired wind breaker or lightweight rain jacket come the summer, although a bomber jacket would be another on trend consideration:
Look Two: Casual Prep
The deck shoe has a strong prep connection. Making use of this affiliation is a great way to bring structure to a look and smarten up the style.
Sockless, much like loafers, is the way to wear the boat shoe here. Team with a pair of navy chinos – turned up or tailored to perfection – for a timeless combination that, with a few tweaks to cut and fit, is suitable and flattering for most ages.
A casual Oxford shirt keeps the ensemble on a slightly more relaxed footing. A neutral, khaki blazer finishes off the outfit with aplomb whilst offering a preppy appeal that ties in well with the boating and Riviera links:
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