Boat shoes are one of those things that work brilliantly when the context is right and look quite wrong when it isn’t and the context is essentially summer and relatively casual occasions. They’re the shoe version of linen pants in that they’re completely correct for certain situations and visibly out of place in others. We love them for exactly the situations they’re designed for though. Weekend trips somewhere with water involved. Saturday lunches when the weather has finally decided to behave. Casual summer outfits where trainers feel too sporty and actual leather shoes feel like you’re trying too hard. The key with boat shoes is to wear them without socks or with very low no-show socks because visible socks with boat shoes undermines the whole relaxed coastal vibe they’re built around. A classic tan leather or navy canvas version covers most situations comfortably.