How to Wear Boat Shoes

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: February 15, 2022 References

Boat shoes, also called deck shoes, are typically made of leather and have a soft rubber sole. These shoes can pair well with a wide variety of styles, such as preppy, casual, or unconventional. Although they are diverse, they are best suited for warm weather looks.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Choosing Boat Shoes

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Choose brown leather for a diverse and classic look. Light or dark brown leather is the most common and traditional boat shoe material. Brown boat shoes are a great choice because they pair well with a variety of outfits—such as jeans and a T-shirt or a button-up and shorts. Plus, this color shows the least amount of stains.^{[1]
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2
Try navy blue shoes for a nautical look. Navy blue shoes are another good option for boat shoes because they are also fairly diverse. They especially pair well with a nautical beachy look—like a striped shirt and white pants. Or, you could wear them with a sundress for a more feminine look.^{[2]
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- White boat shoes are also an option for a nautical look, but they are harder to keep clean than navy blue shoes.
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3
Go for brightly colored shoes for an unconventional look. Boat shoes come in all kinds of different colors and designs. You could choose brightly colored choose as a way to accent your outfit, or as a way to be comfortable, yet unconventional. For example, match red boat shoes with a pair of jeans and a white or red polo.^{[3]
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- You can also wear boat shoes that have a pattern, such as polka dots or stripes.
4
Pick a shoe that fits comfortably. Boat shoes are meant to be comfortable, so it is important that they fit correctly. When you stand, there should be a .5 inches (1.3 cm) of space between your big toe and the tip of the shoe. The ball of your foot should fit comfortably and securely into the middle portion of the shoe.^{[4]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Pairing Boat Shoes with an Outfit

1
Wait to wear them until spring or summer. Boat shoes are ideal for warm weather because they are lightweight and leave the upper part of your foot exposed. It is also better to wear them during warm weather because they pair well with lightweight spring and summer attire. For example, a light sweater would look great with them, but a heavy winter jacket may look awkward.^{[5]
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2
Choose shorts with your boat shoes. Since boat shoes are ideal for warm weather, they look great with a pair of shorts. You can dress them up by wearing a pair of shorts with a button-up shirt. For a more casual look, wear them with a tank top or T-shirt.^{[6]
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3
Wear your shoes with straight-leg or tapered pants. Because a lot of the detail is in the top of the boat shoes, they look best when the whole shoe is shown off. That, however, doesn’t mean you are limited to shorts. Choose a pair of straight-leg or tapered pants to go with boat shoes. Or, wear them with rolled up pants.^{[7]
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4
Don’t show your socks with your boat shoes. Boat shoes are low cut and meant to be worn without socks. If you must wear socks with them, choose a pair that would not show above the tops of your shoes.^{[8]
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5
Avoid wearing them with formal attire. Boat shoes pair well with semi-formal outfits, such as a pair of slacks and a blazer. They do not, however, pair well with a tuxedo. Choose a lightweight loafer if you are looking for a shoe to wear for a summer wedding or other formal occasion.^{[9]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Breaking in Boat Shoes

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Wear them for 1 hour every day. Since boat shoes are usually made of leather, it will take some time to break them in. Start by wearing them around your house for an hour each day. If they feel fairly comfortable, you can wear them for 2 hours each day.^{[10]
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2
Walk around in your shoes. Wear your boat shoes when you plan to be walking around the house rather than sitting at your desk. Your shoes won’t break in quickly if you wear them but don’t move. Spend the 1 or 2 hours walking around your home. You can also rock back and forth in them so that they can mold to your foot.^{[11]
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3
Increase the amount of time wearing the shoes each day. Once the shoes feel like they’ve started to break in, increase the amount of time you wear them around the house. Continue to increase the time as they feel more comfortable. Don’t wear them out of the house until you feel confident they won’t hurt you after a few hours of wear.^{[12]
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Warnings

Boat shoes are often worn without socks, so they can begin to smell quickly. Leave baby powder or kitty litter in the shoes overnight to get rid of odor.^{[15]
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Use a dry brush to remove stains. Do not use water or stain remover.^{[16]
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