Wearing Suede Boat Shoes Will Make Everyone Think You’re Rich

Autumn might still be a few weeks away, but if you’re anything like me—or most fashion people I know—you’re already feeling the itch for a styling refresh. After a summer of swishy dresses and easy tank tops, I’m starting to crave the structure and edge that comes with cooler-weather dressing. But with temperatures still leaning warm, I’m easing into the new season one step at a time—literally—by switching up my footwear.

First to go into storage? The strappy sandals I’ve lived in for months. In their place, I’m reaching for a transitional favourite: suede boat shoes. Lighter than their leather equivalents but still offering full coverage, they’re the ideal in-between shoe—not too heavy, but substantial enough to signal a shift in season.

Their soft, supple texture adds a gentle polish to every kind of outfit. Whether paired with breezy linen shorts or trusty denim cut-offs, they instantly smarten up a look without feeling overly formal. And as we inch closer to true autumn, they work just as effortlessly with longline trousers or relaxed jeans.

With their rounded toe, lace-up detail, and loafer-adjacent silhouette, suede boat shoes bring an air of sophistication, while feeling less predictable than the loafers we’ve stomped in for seasons. Their connection with boating, which we all know isn’t the most affordable pastime a person can enjoy, makes boat shoes feel like a luxury item, no matter what you spent on them or which brand they come from. So, if you want to look richer than you are for the season ahead (or if you genuinely are rich and have the taste to match) this is the shoe trend for you.

Whichever camp you fall into, there’s a suede boat shoe for you. Plenty of brands are backing the silhouette, from H&M with its soft, light brown style to Miu Miu’s soon-to-sell-out deeper-hued pair.