We Can't Believe These "Ugly" Shoes Are Back—4 Styling Ideas That Are Actually So Chic

When we think about the preppy-fashion trend, many clothing and footwear options spring to mind. Amid this array of styles, a notable resurgence is capturing our attention—the revival of boat shoes for women.

Initially crafted as sturdy and practical footwear tailored for sailing, boat shoes have transcended their utilitarian origins to become a timeless fashion essential. They first made waves in the late 2000s, but their allure has returned, garnering favor among devout followers of fashion trends.

Today's boat shoes resemble those worn in 2012; however, the styling has been refreshed. After analyzing numerous boat-shoe outfits, it's evident that there's a chic way to wear them—style boat shoes the same way you would loafers. For example, fashion people in Paris pair their boat shoes with loose-fitting and light-colored denim, a simple T-shirt, a casually cool leather jacket, and a rich-looking suede bag. Those in Copenhagen pair them with boxer shorts, ankle socks, and a cardigan. The style set in London is also wearing them with monochromatic suits, and those in New York are accessorizing the shoes with straight-leg sweatpants, a baseball cap, and a trench coat.

Similar to loafers, we're seeing classic leather iterations dominate. Still, fashion people are welcoming a few fresh boat-shoe styles, like chunky platforms and low-profile suede ones, onto the scene. With that said, look below at the four winning boat-shoe outfit formulas that the style set is behind.

Denim Dress + Bomber Jacket + Socks + Boat Shoes

Nothing complements brown leather boat shoes and ankle socks like a versatile, trusty denim dress. Add a bomber jacket or chunky sweater over your shoulders for the perfect daytime look.

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Blazer + Trousers + Boat Shoes

This outfit perfectly exemplifies the wrong-shoe theory, where boat shoes are mismatched with a sophisticated blazer and pants. The boat shoes work well in this context by transcending their original sporty and preppy function and appearing as a deliberate and refined choice.

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Leather Jacket + Jeans + Boat Shoes

This ensemble is one of our favorites. It features a distressed brown leather jacket, a striped button-down shirt, and classic jeans. While any shoes would have worked, the boat shoes added a modern touch to this otherwise classic look.

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Maxi Dress + Socks + Boat Shoes

Elsa Hosk's choice of red boat shoes showcases a refreshing update to this classic style. To style them, she skillfully incorporates one of the season's most prominent dress trends, a drop-waist dress, demonstrating a keen sense of modern fashion. To further enhance the versatility of her look, she complements it with socks, making it an ideal transitional outfit.

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This story was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.