It's 2024 and I'm Shopping for...Boat Shoes?
My own teenage years coincided with the heyday of American preppy mall-brand fashion. Abercrombie & Fitch had my entire high school — and high schools across the country — in a chokehold. And while I did amass a pretty solid collection of polo shirts around that time, I don't necessarily look upon that fashion era fondly.
There are certain timeless preppy staples I've still enjoyed in the years since, like oxford button-downs, Breton stripe shirts and cable-knit sweaters. However, 20 years later, I find myself shopping for boat shoes, a footwear style so associated with a certain type of conservative East Coast arrogance, I really never thought I would find appealing, let alone consider buying. But fashion has a knack for turning a once-repellant fashion item into something cool and desirable, and that's what it's doing for boat shoes.
Specifically, the impending boat shoe resurgence can be attributed to Miu Miu and Bally, both of whom have versions on offer for Spring 2024. While I would happily wear either, both brands are charging $950 for a pair, which is well outside of my price range. Fortunately, brands like Sperry, GH Bass and Sebago — who've all been making boat shoes for decades — have some more affordable options.
After scouring the internet, I've landed on Sebago's suede boat shoes in a neutral beige that I feel will transition nicely into spring and pair well with everything from trousers and jeans to shorts and mini skirts.
Sebago Portland Rough Out Boat Shoe, $195, available here
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