Here Are the Shoes Our Editors Are Choosing Over Loafers This Spring

      March 28, 2025

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      Source: Madeline Galassi for The Everygirl

      When someone inquires about my age, I reply, “old enough to recall wearing Sperry’s Top-Siders to school every day.” While my commitment to boat shoes was serious at the time, it didn’t prepare me for the resurgence happening this spring. After years of being sidelined, these classic preppy shoes—which first became a staple of the New Englander’s everyday look in the early '60s—are experiencing a revival.

      We started to see boat shoes gradually reemerge last spring, as designers from Prada, Miu Miu, and Bally sparked interest by showcasing reinvented top-siders on the runway. Unlike previous trends, they weren’t styled in the expected preppy manner; instead, their versatility was highlighted through pairing with more contrasting items, such as shiny leather and refined top-handle bags. This shift allowed the once preppy-exclusive footwear to be viewed as suitable for a broader range of styles—now, they can be paired with almost anything.

      If you’re not quite convinced about this trend yet, continue reading for our favorite styling suggestions for the boat shoe comeback and the best options to shop for in 2025.

      How to Style Boat Shoes in 2025

      1. With a barn jacket and rugby shirt

      The most popular styling approach among fashion enthusiasts for boat shoes is to pair them with a striped rugby polo and a utility jacket, specifically a barn jacket. This combination perfectly merges land and sea aesthetics, reminiscent of the classic fisherman look but with an urban twist.

      2. With a trench coat and slouchy bag

      For a more traditional vibe, styling boat shoes with a trench coat is always a wise choice. To add some interest, consider switching your usual crossbody bag for a more relaxed shoulder bag or tote.

      3. With a chunky sweater and long shorts

      This outfit demonstrates that boat shoes are relatively easy to style. Pair them with long denim shorts—or loose jeans, depending on the weather—and an oversized sweater for a simple, comfortable look suitable for all-day wear.

      4. With a structured jacket and white jeans

      To steer clear of an overly nautical appearance, opt for baggy white jeans instead of slim-fit ones and complete the outfit with a suede jacket.

      5. With a leather jacket and straight-leg jeans

      For a stylishly edgy look, combine boat shoes with an oversized leather jacket and slim-fit jeans. The contrast between the edgy jacket and the classic footwear (along with the loose top and fitted bottoms) creates an effortlessly chic vibe.

      Bibi Lou

      6 colors available

      J.Crew

      3 colors available

      Steve Madden

      7 colors available

      Everlane

      3 colors available

      Sperry

      3 colors available

      Steve Madden

      2 colors available

      Sperry

      5 colors available

      Lucky Brand

      2 colors available

      Free People

      10 colors available

      Anthropologie

      2 colors available

      Eastland

      2 colors available

      Reformation

      4 colors available

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      Tinsley Crisp, Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer

      Tinsley Crisp is a Fashion & Beauty Staff Writer at The Everygirl, specializing in covering the latest trends and must-have products of the season. As a stylist based in New York City, she is dedicated to bringing joy into the process of dressing and providing attainable yet aspirational content for our audience.