In the UK, boat shoes are most commonly associated with posh upper- and middle-class men, the footwear of preppy university students or dads on coastal holidays. Almost always accompanied by chinos and polo shirts, it's a look most fashion girlies wouldn't have dreamed of adopting. Until Miu Miu's spring/summer 2024 collection.
The Italian fashion house paired boat shoes with everything from knee-length leather skirts and calf-grazing midi dresses to Bermuda shorts and barely-there bikini bottoms, transforming the traditional deck shoe from fusty to fabulous. Bally, too, was quick to jump on the trend, with Loewe, Monse and Collina Strada all following suit the following year, with boat shoes repeatedly spotted across the spring/summer 2025 runways.
The high street may have initially been a little slower to catch on, but it's safe to say boat shoes are officially a major mainstream fashion trend now more than ever. With the summer sales in full force and autumn collections already dropping at our favourite brands, we're looking to make intentional purchases we can wear for the remainder of summer and effortlessly transition into next season too. Boat shoes do exactly that.
Instead of a traditional boat shoe with a chunky, hard sole, the 2026 aesthetic is more of a cross between a boat shoe, a moccasin, and a loafer. Whether you opt for leather or suede, the softer silhouette means they'll honestly be one of the comfiest pairs of shoes in your wardrobe with zero break-in period. Plus, they offer more support than your ballet flats.
Because these are slimmer and have a more low-profile vibe than more masculine chunky boat shoes, styling them is much easier than you'd imagine. Dare we say, effortless? While the weather is still warm, pair them with a miniskirt and an oversized oxford for a look that feels very prep-school-inspired. Slip them on with denim cutoffs, a tank, and a colourful beaded necklace for easy weekend wear, or dress them up with tailored shorts and a blazer for the office.
Come autumn, wide-leg or slightly baggy jeans and a sweater are all you need for a classic look that is just as comfy as it is office-appropriate. Basically, any scenario when you'd wear trainers or ballet flats, swap them out for boat shoes and you'll instantly look ten times more stylish.
Long story short: boat shoes have quickly gone from being a flash-in-the-pan trending nostalgic style to one of the most versatile shoes in your wardrobe that's sartorially set to stick around. Consider them your closed-toe shoes saviours for the remainder of the warm weather for those who hate freeing their feet in public, but who also don’t want to wear socks in a heatwave. Although they look chic AF with slouchy socks, so bookmark this look for when the mercury starts to drop.
Still a little dubious? The high street has plenty of affordable designs, so you don't have to break the bank to get in on the trend. Below, shop our favourite boat shoes available to buy right now:
Next Navy Weave Forever Comfort® Leather Charm Boat Shoes
M&S Suede Contrast Slip On Flat Boat Shoes
Jonak Soft Loafers with Beaded Details
White Stuff Selena Hybrid Suede Boat Shoe
Fairfax & Favor Henley Tan Driving shoes
Madison McGee is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines, primarily reporting on home, tech, fashion, and books across titles like Cosmopolitan, Esquire, House Beautiful, Country Living, ELLE, Town & Country, and more. Prior to joining Hearst, she covered pop culture and trending news at BuzzFeed and worked in book publishing. Madison is a graduate of both the University of Mississippi and New York University, where she received her Master’s in book publishing and magazine media. When she’s not writing gift guides, product reviews, and sales and deals content, she’s probably exploring New York City’s independent bookstores or cheering on the Baltimore Ravens.
Alexandria Dale is the Digital Fashion Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from the celebrity style moments worth knowing about to the latest fashion news, there’s nothing she loves more than finding a high street dupe of a must-have designer item. As well as discovering new brands, she’s passionate about sustainable fashion and establishing the trends that are actually worth investing in. Having worked in fashion journalism for six years, she has experience at both digital and print publications including Glamour and Ok!
