Do You Wear Socks With Boat Shoes? – Style Your Boat Shoes

Boat shoes are an emblem of the good life because of their origin being rooted in sailing. These shoes have been mystifying people for a long time now when it comes to styling. For example: do you wear socks with boat shoes? The simple answer is, it’s totally up to you and your personal sense of style whether you wear socks with boat shoes or not.

This is an age-old debate. In fact, Sperry ambassador, John Legend started up this debate on Twitter again in 2022 with the hashtag #SperrySockDebate. Users either posted in support of the #TeamNoSock or #TeamSock. Sperry announced that Team Sock won worldwide. 

That right there tells you that most people wear shoes with socks and there are plenty of good reasons why. We’ll tell you why we are on team sock. Keep on reading for our two cents on the debate. 

Do You Wear Socks With Boat Shoes? – Here’s Our Take

Boat shoes are a symbol of the harborside lifestyle and well-spent days in the chilly breeze of the sea. They’re very popular during summertime as the vamp is low and allows air to brush up with your ankles. 

Even though people love the breathable aspect of boat shoes they also love wearing these shoes with socks. There are hygiene and health benefits to this practice. If you wear closed-toe shoes, you will sweat inside them. The internal material is hot and in an enclosed space, your pores will rain.

This allows bacteria and fungi to grow, causing diseases such as Athlete’s feet. That’s one problem wearing socks solves as it absorbs sweat and blocks the growth of such microbes. 

Another big benefit of reduced bacterial growth is the blocking of bad odor. Moreover, moisture makes your shoes deteriorate faster. So, with socks, your shoe will endure longer.

What Socks To Wear With Boat Shoes? Styling With Socks

We think no-show socks for boat shoes are the best to get the sockless look that is becoming more fashionable as we go. However, dress socks are also great boat shoe socks that we love. The two variations are enough to dress up or dress down men’s boat shoes. Here are some tips on how to wear boat shoes with socks.

1. No Show Socks

The sockless look is inappropriate in formal settings, however, if you want to dress up casually, this is the look for you. It’s very easy to style boat shoes. They look great pretty much how you wear them. But there are things you can do to really elevate your look.

Tip 1:

For the most laid-back look possible, go for canvas boat shoes instead of suede or polished leather. You can style them with blue jeans, a plain tee, and a nice oversized jacket or you can ditch the jacket entirely for a summer look. 

Tip 2: 

When you’re going out with your buddies in the high summer, put on a pair of shorts with your boat shoes. You can wear a polo or a light button-down. Put on some shades to add some swag to your look. 

Tip 3:

For a more preppy look, you can wear boat shoes with khakis and button-downs with a brown leather belt that goes with your leather or suede shoes. Canvas boat shoes won’t cut it for these preppy, academic looks. 

2. Dress Socks

Wearing socks with your boat shoes make your outfit more formal and even appropriate for work as long as they accept business casual attire. This look is tougher to pull than the no-sock look for sure. 

Tip 1:

For an office look, you can go for a pair of ribbed dress socks in earthy tones like brown, tan, or beige. They’re neutral and classy. Wear your formal pants, shirt, and a blazer. You’ll look absolutely ready for business with this sharp look.

Tip 2: 

You can go for a nautical look with your boat shoes as well. Go for pastel socks, roll up the cuffs of your pants, and put on a stripped blue-and-white polo with full sleeves. You will look just about ready to sail off into the sunset with this look.

Tip 3:

Here’s another business casual look for you. Get a brown suede boat shoe and pair it with your chinos. Put on a button-down under a solid-colored sweater. You can match your socks with your pants, that always works or you can go for a contrasting color. Try richer colors like burgundy or a dark forest.

Do Boat Shoes Get Smelly?

Yes, boat shoes can get smelly. However, they are more breathable than most other closed-toe shoe types for men. That’s why so many people are comfortable wearing these shoes without socks.

But the best thing to do is wear no-show socks at the very least. The fibers will soak up your sweat and keep your shoes dry. That way, the sweat along with odor-causing bacteria won’t have the chance to permeate through the leather. 

If you still want to avoid wearing socks, there are other options. You can use a deodorant stick on your feet or foot powder to prevent perspiration. Switch out the insoles with an odor-fighting one. 

FAQs

Are boat shoes in style 2023?

Yes. With the emergence of street preppy style, boat shoes have made quite a comeback. As long as you can make yourself look effortlessly casual and cool in these shoes, you will be on trend.

Can you wear boat shoes with jeans?

Absolutely. Boat shoes are worn casually with jeans and tees. That’s a perfectly acceptable look, especially during the summer. 

Can you wear boat shoes without socks?

Yes, you can. But we don’t recommend that due to health and hygiene issues. Instead, you can opt for no-show socks that give you the sockless look with all the benefits of wearing socks.

Can you wear boat shoes with T-shirts?

Yes, but go for solid-colored T-shirts. You can also wear minimal stripe prints but that’s it. Bright and loud colors or graphic tees don’t go well with boat shoes. You want to keep your outfit minimal.

Final Words

Do you wear socks with boat shoes? It depends on your preference but we recommend you wear socks. Wearing socks protect your feet from fungal diseases. It also keeps the shoe leather safe from moisture damage so that your shoes last longer. Moreover, socks ensure that any bad odor doesn’t spread in your shoes.

You can wear dress socks or no-show socks. No-show socks are a more popular option as the sockless look is more in fashion. So, you get the benefits of socks while still appearing sockless. In that case, pick a color that matches your skin so that if your socks peek out a bit, people won’t notice.

However, if you are good at styling, you can experiment with dress socks and create some dapper formal looks.