Men's Boat Shoes - summer fashion trends

A lot of men struggle with one simple accessory - shoes. Do sneakers look okay with this? Should I wear dress shoes with these khakis? Are my feet too ugly for flip flops? I am sure these are questions wives get asked every day. Well I have a simple solution for all of your men’s shoe woes - boat shoes.

This is the first time in a long while that a shoe trend has been so popular in menswear. All of a sudden you saw companies like Sperry Top-Siders, Sebago, Vans and Toms marketing leather, suede and even patent boat shoes. They can complement any look and are a new classic for any man’s wardrobe.

During the hot season, most of us tend to wear casual clothes and stay in trend to keep an elegant look. As to the casual shoes, many prefer to wear something light to help them walk, reduce the amount of sweat and provide enough ventilation for the feet. Boat shoes are considered one of the simple and quick solutions for practical men and the youth who like to stay in trend during summer. Boat shoes are known among the casual boat styles that were invented in 1935 by Paul Sperry. The original inspiration for boat shoes came from Paul Sperry’s dog, after he noticed his ability to walk and run over the ice without falling or slipping. After that he had the idea of cutting his shoe soles, making small carvings all over the sole to create a shoe ready for boating. The idea was creative and served the practical casual purpose, and within a short while he established a company that was named “Sperry Top-Siders”, which is still famous until now.

After boat shoes became famous, and in the 1980’s, the manufacturing companies began creating various styles to suit all ages and especially the needs of young and mid-aged men. Boat shoes became famous for their materials, design and the ability to give extreme comfort. Boat shoes were designed in a special way to make them comfortable and to be worn without socks. They are suitable for hiking, playing sports, walking on the beach and playing beach sports, and are also suitable as casual shoes instead of sneakers. They can be worn with a diversity of men’s clothes such as jeans, beach shorts, t-shirts and classic casual pants. They offer every man a good choice for his summer clothes as they can be paired with different styles of boat shoes.

Speaking of the functional features and designs of men’s boat shoes, we may clarify the types of soles used for boat shoes manufactured by different brands. Many soles are made of fine rubber with small round protrusions to allow walking on the sand, water and snow without sliding down. They are also made in a certain shape and thickness, with side linings to provide comfort while collapsing as well as giving an elegant shape. Natural leather is used for the outer layer in almost all types of boat shoes, and only a few types are coated with velour, wool or woven fabrics as a matter of change and to suit the fashion style worn. Some types are designed with handmade stitching on the outer body to give a change within the look, while others are enhanced with rubber coating and sipped soles to wash the water away in rainy weather and increase the traction.

Speaking of the shapes and details/decorations made within a boat shoe, we can easily notice the beautiful mix between leather layers on top of the shoes, and the handmade stitching all around the top to give a prominent round piece that connects the outer body with the upper decorative piece. Some shoes are also made with wide-stitches on the sides; and they are mostly made of suede or coated with a thin layer of velour to create a good match between the handmade decoration and the fabrics used. The mixing between fabrics and materials within boat shoes is endless. Companies compete in producing the best trends for a unique look and different purposes. For example, we can see varnished leather mixed with jeans or made in different colored pieces attached together to give an artistic shape or a look that is similar to old 70’s.

Below I present my top selection of 4 Boat Shoes  that will see you through those heady days of summer, ranging from the original Top-Sider to some seriously high-fashion remakes. There’s a boat shoe for every guy.

1.Trendy:

Eastland Washburn 1955 Edition Collection

If you are always up on what is new and stylish, go for tri-colored boat shoes. It looks like color blocking is here to stay and what better way than to show it off with some eccentric boat shoes. Wear them with simple jeans and a graphic print t-shirt. Go as bold as you want! You can try boat shoes in different patterns and colors that show off your unique style

2. Preppy:

Sperry Top-Sider x Band of Outsiders

Boat shoes are an absolute staple in the “preppy” man’s wardrobe. The possibilities are endless. Pair them with your colored chinos, your khaki shorts, heck even with your swim trunks. If you want to look like you just stepped off a yacht, these are the shoes for you. They come in prints that every Yale graduate would die for including stripes, plaid and gingham. Another trend you could try is rolling up your chinos into man-pris. These will show off those boat shoes and more importantly your toned ankles. This is the perfect accessory for you.

3. Sporty:

Sebago Docksides

Not only are boat shoes stylish but they are functional. Let’s say you are on vacation and plan on doing a lot of walking, you want to wear a comfortable shoe right? Well then pack those boat shoes. They can be worn with jeans, khakis or t-shirts all for a casual look. Some even come with a thicker sole for a more athletic feel. Another good idea is suede boat shoes. The soft leather gives your feet more room to expand, which is a huge asset when walking long distances.

4. Dressy:

Sperry Top-Sider A/O 2 Eye Patent

Now I know your go-to shoe for dressing up is a pair of loafers. While these are a classic, think about updating your professional look. Add a pair of leather or patent leather boat shoes to your wardrobe. These can actually make your suit look edgier and more stylish. This was a trend that flooded the runways this season so don’t be intimidated. Just remember, if you are wearing a grey or black suit there is no need to ruin it with brown boat shoes. Remember the basic fashion rules of a suit and stay with one color scheme!

Guide to men’s bags – part 2

A man’s bag is definitely a very important accessory for any outfit – whether it’s a tote, a weekender or a backpack, you need one to carry your belongings around on every occasion.

So, without any more of my babbling, here are another four different types of bag that are both fool-proof and extremely suitable for any aspiring stylish gentleman.

3. The Backpack

As we all know, fashion is about cycles. What goes around comes around guys and, right now, that is very true for the backpack. Backpacks were everywhere during the '90s and with the recent revival of '90s fashion we've come full circle with this iconic accessory. Today's modern designers have put their own twist on this basic piece transforming it from playground essential to high fashion accessory.

Hands free, minimal fuss and surprisingly capable of holding a fair amount of stuff, it’s the ideal choice for a sartorial student, casual man or every day bike rider.

4. The Briefcase

Briefcases are probably the oldest form of “acceptable” handbags for men. Modern-day briefcases, however, have evolved a great deal since the days of your father’s sharp-cornered case. They’re no longer boxy; in fact, that’s about the only traditional element discarded in the modern briefcase. The classic shape (without the sharp corners), buckles, leather exterior, and practical interior compartments help make this bag a timeless addition to any working-man’s wardrobe.

If you work in an environment that requires you to wear a suit, I’d suggest purchasing one in black leather. Anywhere else, try one in canvas for a more casual yet completely non-feminine look. A canvas briefcase is also ideal for anyone looking to make the jump from a messenger bag.

5. Messenger Bag

Aptly named, the messenger bag is designed after the bags traditionally carried throughout history by - whom else? - messengers. Often made from canvas and swung across the shoulder, messenger bags have taken on a whole new meaning in urban fashion. From students with canvas bags to urban hipsters with modern leather bags, the messenger’s laid-back style will always have a classic casual flair, but today’s leather messenger tote also exudes a hint of uptown sophistication.

They are no longer a piece to carry your laptop and important document only. They have acquired a symbol and fashion status. As the nature and mode of work is changing, so is the lifestyle. Professionals carrying briefcases having heavy dossiers and documents are fading out now. Compared to back-packs, they are sturdy and stylish. Also it is much easier to place and remove whatever you want to put in the bag.

6. The Actual Luggage

Hopefully we all have this bag in some shape or form at the ready. But for regular usage it really is for the travelers who need to take more than just the bare minimum with them.

Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of types out there, so it really is about finding the style that suits you. I would suggest to go for something with wheels from a practical standpoint and always opt for a neutral color like navy, grey or black.

So there you have it guys, six bags I think should be considered as a choice for each and every one of you out there. Throw out the old idea that bags are for women and get with the fashion-forward times. While classic bags like briefcases are still around, other bags with classic elements, like the messenger bag, are becoming almost necessary accessories for today’s modern man.