Boat shoes are back: Fashion experts weigh in on 2025's most unexpected fashion hero
The boat shoe has officially sailed back into style, and it's charting a new course for summer 2025.
Once reserved for prep school weekends and yacht decks, the silhouette is now turning heads on the runway and city streets.
"The silhouette has made a major comeback due to its broad appeal and versatility," said Marissa Galante Frank, fashion director at Bloomingdale's.
Both fashion insiders and modern prepsters are embracing the boat shoe for its effortlessly cool look and unexpected versatility.
"It's a perfect choice for shoppers who are seeking a more casual alternative to the loafer," Frank explained. "They add a chic sense of ease when styled back to more tailored looks."
Another fan of the boat shoe trend is celebrity stylist Sophie Lopez, who says she has been working with shoe and accessory brand Cole Haan on a series of edits meant to "curate options you can wear everyday in the city, on a weekend getaway or a summer vacation."
"This boat shoe is such an adaptable style for summer," Lopez explains in the Cole Haan campaign. "There are so many ways to wear it -- keep it casual and relaxed with shorts or lightweight pants, or dress it up with darker denim or dresses."
As seen below, Lopez added a relaxed touch to a otherwise buttoned-up ensembled by pairing blue suiting with a the Bayport boat shoes in the light brown shade, Biscuit.
In other words, think of boat shoes as the fashion world's new neutral -- easy to slip on, easy to style and sophisticated. Whether paired with slouchy trousers, crisp suiting or a flowy spring dress, the boat shoe is proof that a casual element can give an outfit just the right touch.
"Comfort is of the utmost importance," Lopez says. "When you're uncomfortable in your clothes, it really translates into your body language."
Below, shop our top picks to step into summer with sophisticated ease.
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