Born in the USA out of a more practical reason, to provide traction especially in wet areas like decks, Paul Sparry’s boat shoes, also known as top-siders, deck shoes and sailing shoes, with the distinct no-slip grip rubber soles have had their fair share of catwalk appearance for years now. They may not have been the trendy shoes we think of today right from the start, but they more than compensated for this with the variety of designs that emerged on the market over the decades.
How to Style Boat Shoes for Men?
Typically made of leather or suede, the quality men’s boat shoes Australia round trusted retailers have in store are must-have in every man’s wardrobe because of their utilitarian role and preppy versatility. With the vast array of options nowadays, there’s the perfect design for everyone.
And, as the summer staples they are, there are easy ways to style them to make the most of the cool aesthetic they provide. All you need is just a few clothing essentials to pull it off, which include bottoms like chinos for a more elevated look without trying too hard, chino shorts for a more breathable option, and tops like polos or rugby-style shirts for a touch of structure.
As the beginnings can be traced in nautical environments, feel free to incorporate stripes but steer clear of overdoing it. Other more casual options you can use are more shorts other than chinos and shirts. For a more put-together look, trousers with pleats, especially those made of natural fabrics like linen or cotton, in white colour are a choice you can swear by.
The tips you can rely on to enhance your outfits are to always wear men’s boat shoes sockless, and to have the top tucked in the trousers/shorts. For a cohesive outcome, finish off the look with a leather belt in the same hue as the shoes. And, lastly, if you’re the type of man who can’t do without jeans, feel free to use them in a combination with your choice of deck shoes.
Dark washes work great with classic brown leather shoes, although you can also experiment with lighter denim, or even white, as you also have plenty of other colours to choose from in terms of the shoes. Pick out your preferred pair of men’s boat shoes Australia top retailers can offer, and you can start creating signature ensembles you can wear again and again.
How to Choose Boat Shoes?
With so many options of men’s deck shoes, it’s important to know what you’re looking for to make sure you get the ideal choice. You can achieve this by focusing on:
Material
For optimal quality, durability, and protection, opting for high-quality leather is a sound investment. It’s a breathable and water-resistant choice, though if you want more of the breathability, choose the shoes without lining. This is usually added for comfort and hygiene when worn barefoot. If you find the lack of lining to be uncomfortable, or feel the barefoot fit could lead to blisters, it’s helpful to look for low-cut, no-show socks.
For a more delicate design, you also have suede as an option. Suede shoes are smooth, soft, versatile, and easier to break in as opposed to leather. Keep in mind, though, the difference in material can be a decisive factor in how much of a maintenance you end up having to do, with suede requiring more care than leather. Of course, to get peace of mind, getting suitable cleaning products is essential.
Soles
The reason most of the classic choices of soles were in white was because other options were leaving black scuff marks on the decks. Nowadays, however, there are modern rubber compounds made of soft, natural rubber that avoid this issue, even if they’re not in traditional white colour. For optimal grip, flexibility and comfort, it’s also essential to make sure they have siping, a detail crucial for safety on wet surfaces.
Lacing
It’s easy to get a custom feel with the fit when you choose shoes that have 360-degree lacing, providing you with better tightening.
Fit
Checking the sizing chart is crucial when shopping online, but if you’re between sizes it’s always best to go for a more snug fit by going half a size down instead of up. Even if it feels tighter to break them in, with time leather tends to stretch so you should get a comfortable fit.
Colour
If you tend to wear dressier outfits with a more smart-casual aesthetic, classics like tan, dark brown, black and navy blue are great options you can’t go wrong with. Whereas if you like to showcase your personality and aren’t afraid to go bolder, you can pick out a more striking choice like red. Neutrals such as grey, light blue, sand are ideal for versatile looks, fit for both casual and smart outfits.