How To Know If Your Boat Shoes Are Too Big

Boat shoes are a popular footwear choice for many, but it can be tricky to find the right fit. They are designed to be worn without socks, so it's important to ensure they fit comfortably and securely. When trying on boat shoes, it's recommended to check for a half-inch space between the top of the shoe and the big toe when standing, and to ensure the ball of your foot fits easily into the widest part of the shoe. It's also a good idea to walk around the store to check for any tightness or extra space. While boat shoes are typically made from leather or canvas and should stretch and mould to your foot over time, they shouldn't be too tight or uncomfortable when trying them on. If you find yourself between sizes, it's generally advised to size up rather than down, as most boat shoes will stretch with wear. However, if your boat shoes are too big, there are some solutions, such as adding insoles or heel pads, tightening the laces, or wearing socks to fill out the extra space.

How to make boat shoes fit better if they're too big

Boat shoes are meant to be worn without socks, so if your boat shoes are too big, you won't be able to pad them out with thicker socks. However, there are still several things you can do to make them fit better.

Firstly, you could try stuffing the toes of your shoes with cheap, wadded-up material such as cotton balls, tissue paper, or thin rags. This is a good option if your feet are sliding from the front of your shoes to the back as you walk.

You could also try using insoles, which are soft pads made of foam or gel that provide cushioning and support. These are a good option for most types of shoes, including open-toed shoes. If you don't want to use full insoles, you could try using ball-of-foot pads, which are smaller, discrete pads that provide friction and a thin layer of support. These are perfect for flats or heels that are just a little too big.

If your boat shoes are too long, you could try using heel strips, which are thin adhesive padding strips that can be placed anywhere in the shoe to take up extra space.

If you want to make your shoes smaller overall, you could try shrinking them with water. For leather or suede shoes, use a spray bottle to spritz them with water, and for casual or athletic shoes, soak them in water. Then, let the shoes dry in the sun or use a hairdryer on a low setting. If you're worried about your shoes shrinking too much, let them dry on your feet so that they form around the shape of your foot.

If you have some experience with sewing, you could also try stitching elastic bands into the inside of your shoes to pull the material together. Simply stretch an elastic band along the inside of the back of the shoe, sew it in place, and then release it – the elastic band will draw in the material of the shoe, giving it a tighter fit.

Finally, if all else fails, you could take your boat shoes to a cobbler or shoe repair professional to get them altered.

How to wear boat shoes with jeans

Boat shoes are a versatile footwear option that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. Here are some tips on how to wear boat shoes with jeans:

Choose the Right Setting

Firstly, it's important to consider the setting. Boat shoes and jeans are generally considered too casual for formal events or business-casual environments. They are best suited for casual and smart-casual settings, such as garden parties, beach parties, casual restaurants, or hanging out with friends.

Get the Dress Code Right

When wearing boat shoes with jeans, it's important to achieve the right level of contrast between the two items. For very casual settings, you can opt for brighter and bolder colours with more contrast. Go for light blue jeans with bright red, yellow, or green boat shoes. You can also experiment with distressed jeans, rips, and tears, or acid-washed and stone-washed styles. For smart-casual occasions, choose neutral colours and darker jeans. A pair of brown or navy blue boat shoes with dark blue or grey jeans will create a more polished look.

Avoid Skinny Jeans

While you can certainly make skinny jeans work with boat shoes, it's generally recommended to avoid them. The wide-set boat shoe can look unbalanced when paired with tightly tapered jeans. Instead, opt for jeans with a slightly wider leg, such as wide-leg, straight-leg, or slim-fit styles.

Cuff Your Jeans

Cuffed pants are a great way to showcase your boat shoes and add a casual, summery vibe to your outfit. Simply roll up the hem of your jeans to make them appear shorter. However, avoid pinrolling, which creates a tapered appearance at the lower leg that can look out of balance with the wide-set boat shoe.

Choose the Right Socks

Visible socks are a no-go with boat shoes. No-show socks are your best option to maintain comfort and avoid the awkward look of socks peeking above your shoes. Remember to choose no-show socks that are very low-cut so they remain hidden.

Belt It Up

Try to match your belt to your boat shoes in terms of colour. This adds a cohesive touch to your outfit and makes it seem well-thought-out and intentional.

How to break in boat shoes

Breaking in your boat shoes is an important step to ensure maximum comfort. Here is a guide on how to do it effectively:

Firstly, it is crucial to select the right size. While boat shoes typically stretch and mould to your feet, starting with the correct size is essential. There should be about half an inch of space between the top of the shoe and your big toe when standing. Additionally, ensure the ball of your foot fits comfortably into the widest part of the shoe. Walk around the store after trying them on to check for any tightness or extra spaces.

When it comes to breaking them in, start by wearing them for short periods each day. Wear them around the house, gradually increasing the duration by an hour or two each day or week. This slow process will allow your feet to adjust to the shoes without causing discomfort or blisters.

If you want to speed up the process, one effective method is to wet-weather your boat shoes. Fill a bathtub or a large container with warm water, adding sea salt for a more weathered look. Put on your shoes without socks, lace them up tight, and stand in the water until they are fully saturated. Rock forward onto your toes and backward onto your heels to stretch the material. Then, towel-dry your shoes to remove excess water and wear them as they air-dry. The leather will mould to your feet as it dries, creating a custom fit.

For leather shoes, consider using a leather conditioner to soften and protect them. Massage a small amount into each shoe with circular motions, then wipe away the excess. This will enhance the comfort of your boat shoes and safeguard them from moisture and dry air.

Finally, remember that wearing socks with your boat shoes will impact how they mould to your feet. Socks will make the shoes feel tighter and may stretch the leather. If you plan to wear socks occasionally, consider this during the breaking-in process to ensure a comfortable fit either way.

What socks to wear with boat shoes

Boat shoes are a popular choice for those wanting to achieve a relaxed, preppy image. They are incredibly comfortable and stylish, but the question of whether to wear socks with them or not is a tricky one.

The classic boat shoe look is to have the ankle on display, either by pairing them with shorts or rolled-up trousers, and no visible socks. However, this look can be adapted to provide a truly preppy style.

If you want to wear socks with your boat shoes, opt for no-show socks or dress socks. No-show socks are a low-cut style designed to be invisible when worn with boat shoes, helping you to achieve the sockless look while still enjoying the benefits of wearing socks. They are soft and breathable, ensuring your feet stay dry and comfortable, and will help to eliminate blisters and irritation. Dress socks, on the other hand, will provide a slightly more formal look while still remaining relaxed and casual.

It is important to avoid wearing athletic socks with boat shoes, as this is considered a major style faux pas.

Some people choose not to wear socks with boat shoes as socks can mess up the overall vibe and look that this type of shoe strives for. However, this can lead to issues with foot health, discomfort, and damage to the insole of the shoe.

So, if you want to wear socks with your boat shoes, opt for no-show or dress socks, but if you want to go sockless, be aware of the potential pitfalls.

How to lace boat shoes

To lace boat shoes, you will need a pair of boat shoes and their laces. The laces can be made of leather or other materials.

• Place the shoe on a flat surface. Thread each lace through the small hole on either side of the shoe's front and cross them over one another. This will create slack in both laces for you to tie a knot with at the end.
• Cross the laces so that they are parallel, and your left lace is now to the right of your right lace. This will create an X shape.
• Take your left lace from below, over and across it crosswise over the top of its partner. Now, take this new loop end up towards where you want to tighten it, about three inches above where you put it down.
• Take the right lace and do the same. You will now have a mirror image of your original X shape with one side higher than the other.
• Repeat steps two through four on the opposite sides until all loose ends are neatly tucked inside the shoe for a smooth, tight finish.
• Cut off any excess laces left on top of the shoe and then carefully cut away the long-end pieces that are poking out from under the lace loops for an extra clean look.

Tips:

• When cutting your loose ends, there is no need to trim them too close as you can always trim them again later if they poke through. If needed, cover any exposed bits with clear tape until you have time to trim them properly.
• Make sure the front of your shoe is on a flat surface, then put both hands on either side of that part. Grip it tightly, with one hand pulling it down tight while the other stretches up. Move your thumbs from each end towards the middle of where they meet. This should create just enough slack in the laces for you to cross them over and tie a knot.
• Use your fingers and thumbs as hooks, pulling them through each other in an overlapping fashion from one side of the shoe to the other.

There are also various types of knots that you can use to tie your boat shoes, such as the barrel knot, chain knot, fishtail knot, and tassel knot. Each of these knots has specific steps that you can follow to achieve a unique look for your boat shoes.

Frequently asked questions