Hey Gang, I need to settle something with my significant other. I like to wear boat shoes(leather) out on the town with kahkis or jeans and she pitches a fit. She says that I could wear them if I was "older". (I'm 25). I enjoy wearing them and find them comfortable. I tell her "I own a boat (H25)" and that makes it okay. So help me out here! Tell me what you think! Thanks Chris Blue Light Special
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I'd Say Yes
I should point out that my wife thinks I do not know how to dress in the first place. To further discredit my opinion I lived in Hawaii as a kid and did not even have to wear shoes until I was in High School. I wear mine everywhere and usually have three or four pairs of different colors and conditions depending on the occasion.
I should point out that my wife thinks I do not know how to dress in the first place. To further discredit my opinion I lived in Hawaii as a kid and did not even have to wear shoes until I was in High School. I wear mine everywhere and usually have three or four pairs of different colors and conditions depending on the occasion.
Depends on the boat shoes
My wife did away with the canvas Topsiders, but went to West Marine with me and picked out a pair of leather shoes that she could 'be seen' with. That, by definition,makes them cool.
My wife did away with the canvas Topsiders, but went to West Marine with me and picked out a pair of leather shoes that she could 'be seen' with. That, by definition,makes them cool.
Shoes guy
Well, Yah. They go anywhere. I've worn them for years. My business partner, younger than I and only a few years older than you, also wears them. As you said jeans or kakhkis. My sig other doesn't mind them and tell me "they look good on you....." PS-No socks!!
Well, Yah. They go anywhere. I've worn them for years. My business partner, younger than I and only a few years older than you, also wears them. As you said jeans or kakhkis. My sig other doesn't mind them and tell me "they look good on you....." PS-No socks!!
Boat Shoes
I've been wearing boat shoes exclusively for years (did wear formal shoes to my son's wedding though). I have working pairs, casual pair, and semi-formal pair. Also, no sox allowed with boat shoes, against the rules. That's how I operate but then I'm old and don't give a D--- what other people think. My wife allows me to wear any shoes I want!
I've been wearing boat shoes exclusively for years (did wear formal shoes to my son's wedding though). I have working pairs, casual pair, and semi-formal pair. Also, no sox allowed with boat shoes, against the rules. That's how I operate but then I'm old and don't give a D--- what other people think. My wife allows me to wear any shoes I want!
Depends on the shoes and what else you're wearing
Boat mocasins/no socks are way cool for men or women, but only with casual clothes. Brown, white and MAYBE Navy blue are the ONLY cool moc colors. Pastels, even on women, are too "fashion conscious" to be cool. The athletic shoe type/sweat sox are only cool with long pants unless you're on a boat. If you wear 'em without socks, you can wear 'em with shorts, but they're not as cool as mocs except on a boat. Canvas boat shoes are NOT cool, on OR off a boat, unless they're the classic "Keds sneakers" style, but only women can look cool in those. Women can wear those anywhere, with shorts or long pants. White or navy only.
Boat mocasins/no socks are way cool for men or women, but only with casual clothes. Brown, white and MAYBE Navy blue are the ONLY cool moc colors. Pastels, even on women, are too "fashion conscious" to be cool. The athletic shoe type/sweat sox are only cool with long pants unless you're on a boat. If you wear 'em without socks, you can wear 'em with shorts, but they're not as cool as mocs except on a boat. Canvas boat shoes are NOT cool, on OR off a boat, unless they're the classic "Keds sneakers" style, but only women can look cool in those. Women can wear those anywhere, with shorts or long pants. White or navy only.
I win!!!
Thanks for all the great responses! The boat shoes are propped up on the desk as I type!
Thanks for all the great responses! The boat shoes are propped up on the desk as I type!
Do Not Bet On It
She is going to change her mind because we all agree with you? She must be more reasonable than others, better do whatever it takes to keep and make her happy. Wait that may be her plan after all. They are a devious bunch.
She is going to change her mind because we all agree with you? She must be more reasonable than others, better do whatever it takes to keep and make her happy. Wait that may be her plan after all. They are a devious bunch.
Duhhhhh.
Yes. Your 'other' has no clue. Deck shoes are a traditional symbol (even if recently diluted) bespeaking old money. Sadly, only a Gen-X'er would not know that. JC
Yes. Your 'other' has no clue. Deck shoes are a traditional symbol (even if recently diluted) bespeaking old money. Sadly, only a Gen-X'er would not know that. JC
Sperrys vs Timbies
I used to swear by Sperrys till Timberland sent my dad a set of boat mocs in about 1979, gratis. It was part of their famous (or infamous) marketing survey by which they asked 'famous yachting personalities' to try and report on their first boat shoe. He filled out the attached questionaire by saying he liked them because the price was right. [typical] I wore those shoes after he did-- they lasted 8 years. Snobbily bought Sperrys after that. They lasted a year. So bought Timbies again. Lasted about 4-5 years. The Timbies are now being made as such junk that I only get a year or so out of each pair, but then I wear them constantly (yes, even with suits... sometimes). They do, however, hurt the feet as they are made so you feel the deck like you're not wearing shoes at all. Pacing concrete floors all day is NOT their best venue. (I have never tried Sebagos-- they always seemed expensive. Timberland have an outlet in Rehoboth-- boat mocs: $49.) Also-- before you turn up noses-- the traditional snob symbolism about deck soles representing money is only if they are BEAT. If the shoes look new or like they've never been immersed in salt water whilst on the feet, the wearer is probably a wanna-be, which has exactly the OPPOSITE appeal. The odd ripped stitch or worn corner is a plus. And of course they should NEVER be tied or untied in getting them on or off. By the way, that terminal yachtie, JFK, wore them on-duty in the USN and helped make them formally designated as 'alternative' to official Navy uniform, thus realising Admiral Sperry's dream. [wink] You'll always be in good company wearing real deck soles. JC
I used to swear by Sperrys till Timberland sent my dad a set of boat mocs in about 1979, gratis. It was part of their famous (or infamous) marketing survey by which they asked 'famous yachting personalities' to try and report on their first boat shoe. He filled out the attached questionaire by saying he liked them because the price was right. [typical] I wore those shoes after he did-- they lasted 8 years. Snobbily bought Sperrys after that. They lasted a year. So bought Timbies again. Lasted about 4-5 years. The Timbies are now being made as such junk that I only get a year or so out of each pair, but then I wear them constantly (yes, even with suits... sometimes). They do, however, hurt the feet as they are made so you feel the deck like you're not wearing shoes at all. Pacing concrete floors all day is NOT their best venue. (I have never tried Sebagos-- they always seemed expensive. Timberland have an outlet in Rehoboth-- boat mocs: $49.) Also-- before you turn up noses-- the traditional snob symbolism about deck soles representing money is only if they are BEAT. If the shoes look new or like they've never been immersed in salt water whilst on the feet, the wearer is probably a wanna-be, which has exactly the OPPOSITE appeal. The odd ripped stitch or worn corner is a plus. And of course they should NEVER be tied or untied in getting them on or off. By the way, that terminal yachtie, JFK, wore them on-duty in the USN and helped make them formally designated as 'alternative' to official Navy uniform, thus realising Admiral Sperry's dream. [wink] You'll always be in good company wearing real deck soles. JC
All the Time
I wear my boatshoes all the time. My wife's only complaint is that I have too many pairs . I have on pair for the boat, another pair for casual dress and a beat up pair that I have had for 20 plus years, with no tread, the sticthing is commig apart and which I refuse to get rid of.
I wear my boatshoes all the time. My wife's only complaint is that I have too many pairs . I have on pair for the boat, another pair for casual dress and a beat up pair that I have had for 20 plus years, with no tread, the sticthing is commig apart and which I refuse to get rid of.
Worse Yet
I actually have... two beat up pairs for sailing or working on the boat. One nice looking pair for leaving the boat to eat in real restaurants...and now even two pair of Sperry's with tassles that I slyly wear as dress shoes to work. No one's busted me yet. I guess maybe I've gone around the bend? All of my "real" dress shoes are just gathering dust in the closet..
I actually have... two beat up pairs for sailing or working on the boat. One nice looking pair for leaving the boat to eat in real restaurants...and now even two pair of Sperry's with tassles that I slyly wear as dress shoes to work. No one's busted me yet. I guess maybe I've gone around the bend? All of my "real" dress shoes are just gathering dust in the closet..
dress code
i used to teach at an all-girls boarding school down in monterey, the type where the students wear kilts and are assigned "work hours" if a shirt tail is untucked. when i started teaching--in my topsiders, of course--the dean of students told me that it seemed unfair for the faculty to wear boat mocs since it was against the dress code for the students to wear them. i responded that she ought to change the dress code in that case because topsiders were all i wore. she changed the code, and i was suddenly a hero in the eyes of the student body.
i used to teach at an all-girls boarding school down in monterey, the type where the students wear kilts and are assigned "work hours" if a shirt tail is untucked. when i started teaching--in my topsiders, of course--the dean of students told me that it seemed unfair for the faculty to wear boat mocs since it was against the dress code for the students to wear them. i responded that she ought to change the dress code in that case because topsiders were all i wore. she changed the code, and i was suddenly a hero in the eyes of the student body.
What about socks?
The shoes are one thing, but must one wear socks to meet the various dress codes? (I'm not talking about dark socks with shorts here!) I have always thought that formal wear and winter called for socks with your boat shoes, but that for anything else, boat shoes were OK by themselves. We even have an annual "sock burning" on the dock here in Annapolis when Spring comes. Bruce
The shoes are one thing, but must one wear socks to meet the various dress codes? (I'm not talking about dark socks with shorts here!) I have always thought that formal wear and winter called for socks with your boat shoes, but that for anything else, boat shoes were OK by themselves. We even have an annual "sock burning" on the dock here in Annapolis when Spring comes. Bruce
It's the style in MD
If you own a boat and live in MD you better have a pair of boat shoes or you would be an outcast. Boat shoes come in different styles and as long as the shoes are in decent shape then enjoy the comfort your shoes offer.Especially if you are wearing casual pants.
If you own a boat and live in MD you better have a pair of boat shoes or you would be an outcast. Boat shoes come in different styles and as long as the shoes are in decent shape then enjoy the comfort your shoes offer.Especially if you are wearing casual pants.
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