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Boat shoes are quintessential summer shoes. Originally designed in 1935 by Paul Sperry, a sailor who wanted to find an alternative to leather-soled shoes that got slippery on a damp boat, this preppy style is now more of a footwear staple than part of a sailor's uniform.
Usually featuring rubber soles and leather exteriors, boat shoes offer a happy medium between the dress shoes you wear to work and the sneakers you slip into on the weekends. They can be worn virtually anywhere, too: A backyard wedding, pool party, and sometimes even at the office.
Wearing a pair of boat shoes to the office is dependent on your company's dress code and the actual look of the shoes; some are too bright or have soles that are too chunky, making them less than suitable for the nine-to-five grind. Have a scroll through the selection we put together below; all of them are polished enough to wear to work and less than $200.
Nordstrom
This option by 1901 is a cross between a traditional pair of boat shoes and moccasins, making them appropriate to wear in the fall as well.
1901 'Hampton' Boat Shoes, $99.95.
Jack Erwin
Jack Erwin's new boat shoes pair an upscale look at an affordable price. They're available in three great colors — navy, caramel, and slate.
Jack Erwin Cooper Boat Shoes, $125.
Amazon
G.H. Bass & Co. is best known for its collection of easy loafers. The brand has some quality boat shoes in its range, too.
G.H. Bass & Co. 'Ackley' Boat Shoe, $69.99-$100.
