I’m adding the revival of boat shoes to footwear trends for 2025. The boat shoe trend is fringe, yet familiar. The look is a necessary component of fashion themes like Modern Academia, Fresh Preppy, and Coastal Fisherman. If you were a teen in the ‘80s, you probably had a pair of classic boat shoes. Mine were blue and white, and refined. I wore them casually with pants and shorts. They were a very comfortable unisex style.
This time round, boat shoes have updated features like chunky platforms, lugg soles, espadrille soles, fringe, contrast laces, and include modern materials like suede, animal print, metallic, and mesh to refresh their vibe. They can be thought of as a sneaker and loafer hybrid, and can be worn similarly as a substitute. Boat shoes come in all sorts of colours, and a few patterns. There are colour blocked versions too.
This collection shows some examples.
I like the trend because it’s nostalgic and comfortable. I also thoroughly enjoy when an iconic classic enjoys a fashion moment. This gives the look longevity, sustainability, and amplifies the thought that ANYTHING goes these days when you wear it with intention, confidence and ease.
I’m personally partial to the low profile and daintier looking boat shoe because chunky shoes are generally not my thing. As a die-hard classic loafer wearer, I see a pair of gold or white boat shoes in my future at some point. For me, they are a Summer shoe, so they will have to wait till next year.
Over to you. What do you think of the boat shoe trend?
