Rumors about the return of the boat shoe have been trending for months, and New York Fashion Week confirmed our suspicions. Sperry was seen throughout the week, first as footwear sponsor for New York Men’s Day, where several designers styled their collections with the brand’s boat shoes, classic sneakers, and loafers. At Of-Nothing, Sperry previewed its upcoming collaboration with Tampa-based streetwear boutique Fresh Rags.
The brand was also seen on the runway at Monse, where the designer paired classic boat shoes with its sporty/preppy apparel. Collina Strada covered The Authentic Original Boat Shoe in grass clippings to evoke the casual Americana of mowing the lawn in comfy moccasins. Jonathan Frankel, president of Sperry, credits the many appearances to the shoes’ versatility.
“I believe fluidity in fashion is more pronounced than ever, influenced by leading designers, celebrities, and trendsetters,” he says. “The Authentic Original Boat Shoe, for instance, was prominently featured in collections by Collina Strada and Monse. While these brands have their own unique identities, Sperry’s boat shoe was effortlessly styled into each collection to complement their distinct visions. Similarly, emerging designers Clara Son, Terry Singh and Sivan styled our Racquet Oxford in fresh new ways in their presentations at New York Men’s Day.”
“Sperry’s unisex styles have always offered versatility, allowing them to be styled into an array of looks, aesthetics, and trends.” —Jonathan Frankel, president of Sperry
Off the runway, Sperry fan and fashion designer Ella Emhoff wore the unisex Authentic Original 3-Eye Vibram Boat Shoe front row at Collina Strada, and the unisex Sperry x Palmes Racquet Sneaker to the Susan Alexandra x Rachel Antonoff show. “Emhoff’s effortlessly cool, experimental, and androgynous style aligns perfectly with the versatile and trend-defying designs of Sperry,” Frankel adds.
Iconic preppy fashion and the boat shoe are certainly having a moment, though many would argue they never went out of style. “Sperry takes great pride in offering silhouettes that have withstood the test of time and are now being embraced for their crossover appeal for both gender and aesthetics,” Frankel confirms. “The iconic Authentic Original Boat Shoe, designed in the 1930s and the Racquet Oxford sneaker, released in the 1960s both made notable appearances on and off the runway this SS25 NYFW season in both men’s and women’s collections.”
