Boat Shoes Are Back — Just Ask Miu Miu

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Designers such as Miu Miu, Loewe, and Bally are bringing back the popular-again yet contentious boat shoe style.

Otherwise known as a deck shoe or boat loafer, this footwear category saw a resurgence on the Spring/Summer 2024 runways, and has since been spotted on the feet of fashion‘s most in-the-know figures.

First invented in 1935 by Paul A. Sperry, the style was born out of necessity, serving as a safe and practical non-slip solution. His namesake brand, Sperry (known as Sperry Top-Sider until 2015), truly became synonymous with the signature shoe. (Just last week, the brand partnered with Aritzia on the now sold-out Sperry X Aritzia Authentic Original Boat Shoe.)

Over time, what was once just everyday footwear has evolved into a symbol of status. Although owning boat shoes no longer directly signifies wealth due to its link with yacht ownership, it now represents something else entirely: high-end fashion designers are reviving this style.

Traditionally worn without socks and paired with a preppy wardrobe, the leather loafers are getting a “cool girl” makeover, often seen styled with scrunched, slouchy socks and more relaxed silhouettes. And, sometimes, the typical leather construction is thrown out the window altogether — take Loewe’s raw denim pair, for example.

Could it be that boat shoes may become as ubiquitous in 2025 as mesh ballet flats are today?

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2025-03-18 03:25