It’s boat shoe summer! Here are the best brands to shop the trend

New season, new ugly-chic shoe trend! The preppy boat shoes are next in line for a stylish revamp, and it looks like Spring/Summer 2025 will be their time to shine.

Unsurprisingly, the driving force behind the boat shoe resurgence is none other than Miuccia Prada, the empress of ugly-chic: she showed deck loafers front and centre during Miu Miu’s SS24 show, where leather boat shoes were the finishing touch on outfits of polo shirts, Clubmaster spectacles, and primary-coloured Speedos.

The Miu Miu interpretation of this trend is far from what we’ve seen in the past: while 20th-century icons like Princess Diana or JFK embraced the preppy nature of the boat shoe, Miu Miu’s version is more relaxed, loose, and chill.

While preppy style is still undoubtedly en vogue, now is the perfect time to dabble in this slightly off-beat yet polished trend. Boat shoes have finally come ashore.

From classic brands to designer picks, here are the eight best brands for boat shoes, and some tips on how to style them.

It is to Paul A. Sperry, founder of the namesake brand Sperry (known as Sperry Top-Sider until 2015), that we owe the invention of the first-ever non-slip sole and, consequently, of the beloved boat shoe.

Nowadays, the brand is still synonymous with the deck loafer and the place to be for ultra-preppy, old-school boat shoes. You really can’t go wrong with a classic, so if you’re looking for the original deck loafers, Sperry is where it’s at.

Their recent collaboration with Aritzia—which is very reminiscent of the Miu Miu vibe for a fraction of the price—is, unsurprisingly, sold out.

Street-style staple Timberland offers a modern take on the classic boat shoe silhouette with their Stone Street Boat Shoe, supersizing the sole for a chunky look.

The thicker sole and premium Timberland leather make the Stone Streets perfect for tackling all weather conditions year-round.

Driving the boat shoe trend is Miu Miu with a slim, retro model inspired by vintage aesthetics and collegiate attitudes.

Available in leather, suede, and canvas, the Miu Miu boat shoes are the perfect pick for those looking to splurge on the latest designer must-have piece.

Another historic American brand, Sebago got its start in 1946 by selling handcrafted, patented penny loafers.

Their best-known style, though, is the Dockside boat shoe. Known for their handsewn genuine moc construction, slip-resistant rubber sole, and non-corrosive brass eyelets, the Docksides are an iconic silhouette, and boast plenty of celebrity fans—Kate Middleton, Pharrell Williams, Steve McQueen, and Paul Newman to name a few.

Out of all the boat shoes popping up this season, it’s Sezane’s Caroline dock loafer that has taken the influencer world by storm.

With a lace fastening and a slightly heftier sole than the classic boat shoe, the Caroline loafers are perfect for city life. If the Miu Mius are out of budget, these are the trendiest pair to go for.

The London-born affordable luxury brand Dune is an expert in well-crafted shoes and timeless fashion.

Their slim Gala boat shoes come in brown or white leather and beige suede and are carefully made to enhance durability and comfort.

Sandro is another brand that knows a thing or two about staying on top of the game, so it’s to no one’s surprise that they jumped aboard of the boat shoe trend.

Their Suede Boat Shoe Loafers come in warm, rich camel-coloured suede and black or white leather, and feature contrasting laces (for that ironic Miu Miu-inspired look) for a modern look. The heel folds back onto itself so they can also be worn like mules.

Scarosso prides themselves on their artisanal, fully Made-in-Italy offering, which spans from loafers to sneakers.

Their women’s Lia and Oprah boat shoes follow the more classically preppy, retro look: they’re slightly chunkier than Dune’s or Sezane’s models, and more “masculine” in their silhouette.

The Ginevra boat shoes, on the other hand, are slimmer and more modern. All models are handcrafted in premium leather or nubuck.

When styling boat shoes this season, it’s better to steer clear of expected or obvious pairings: khaki shorts paired with deck loafers might be a little too on the nose.

To avoid looking like Saxon from the most recent season of The White Lotus, take a page out of Miu Miu’s SS24 runway and introduce some friction into your looks: Mrs Prada paired boat shoes with baggy jeans, leather midi skirts, and colourful bikini briefs—from city to beach.