▎About the history of sailing shoes
As for the origin of sailing shoes, it actually came from a dog.
There are many theories about the origin of sailing shoes, the most famous being that it was designed in 1935 by American sailing enthusiast Paul Sperry. Paul, who loves sailing adventures, often struggles with slippery decks, so he starts thinking of solutions.
One day in 1935, Paul took his dog Prince on a trip, it was very cold in Connecticut, Paul saw that the dog could run on the ice and snow without slipping, in order to solve his problems and safety on the deck for a long time, he wondered if the dog’s feet were hiding any mystery to avoid slipping?
So Paul looked at the soles of his dog’s feet and found that they were covered with subtle herringbone lines, and he was inspired. He engraved a herringbone-like wavy pattern on the soles of his shoes to increase the frictional contact area between the outsole and the ground, giving it a good grip on the slippery deck, which is where sailing shoes come from.
The first pair of sailing shoes with excellent anti-slip effects was created in 1935, and the American Cruise Club shippers wrote to Paul to get sailors to wear sailing shoes as well. As a result, sailing shoes began to be widely used among sailors and sailors.
There were some shortcomings in the early stage of the design, because sailing shoes are extended from work shoes, most of them use black soles, and the lines are easy to leave traces after rubbing against the ground, especially on the white deck. In order to improve this problem, the sole of the sailing shoe was later changed to white, and the typical image of sailing shoes was more vivid at this time.
▲Lin Guoliangpin’s sailing shoes are made of white rubber outsole, and there are wave carvings to strengthen the anti-slip function.
In 1939, during World War II, the U.S. Department of the Army designated the Sperry Top-Sider as one of the official Navy’s shoes, and mass-produced sailing shoes for Navy colleagues to wear on the job.
It wasn’t until 1980 that sailing shoes began to become popular. “The Official Preppy Handbook” (an illustrated book on the pop culture and outfits of young students in the city of the time, released in October 1980)”, classifies sailing shoes as a must-have shoe.
At this time, sailing shoes were no longer limited to the official shoes of sailors and navy, but began to be widely used, and the use of styles and materials became more diverse.
▎ The basic form of traditional sailing shoes
- In the early days, there were only dark brown bodies and white soles, but now they are available in a variety of material colors.
- Traditional sailing shoes need to be waterproof and dirt-resistant.
- There are usually 2-3 pairs of eyelets.
- In the beginning, the wings and body were made of the same material and color, but now a variety of design possibilities have been developed.
- A large sheer print with a herringbone print and a cushioned heel.
▲The sailing shoes launched by Lin Guoliangpin are designed with two pairs of eyelets, continuing the classic with a traditional appearance.
▎Why wear sailing shoes? Reasons to choose sailing shoes
Sailing shoes were originally intended to achieve a non-slip function and have a gentle sole height, and when they began to be widely used, the most important thing to wear was comfort, so they could be used cleverly in everyday matching.
The main reason for the popularity of sailing shoes is that they are “uninhibited”, there is no etiquette of whether to wear socks or not, and there are no rules on wearing trousers and shorts, which can not only replace the street sense of sneakers and the casualness of sandals, but sailing shoes look casual but still maintain the elegance of a gentleman.
▲ Sailing shoes that don’t matter if you don’t wear socks
▎Demonstration of 2 types of sailing shoes
President Kennedy was photographed wearing sailing shoes and athleisure shoes when he was traveling with his family, which attracted a lot of attention at the time, sparking a love for active nautical life and classic American style, laying the foundation for sailing shoes and sneakers to become fashion icons and models for casual wear.
▲Sailing shoes, shirts, and shorts are the easiest way to wear them for vacations.
Bermuda shorts, T-shirts, or light shirts made of cotton and linen are recommended, and bowling shirts, which have become very popular recently, are also great for the upper body, which can easily create a natural and refreshing style and create a clean boy. If you’re not used to wearing shorts, it’s a good idea to choose slim-fitting denim trousers, chinos or cinnack casual pants.
▲ Straight striped Henley collar shirt and trousers effortlessly wear sailing shoes out of taste.
■ Same Gaei|These are loafers, not sailing shoes
Loafers in the form of rubber outsoles are similar to sailing shoes, and they have the upper design of moccasins, and they are casual shoes that can be worn without socks, so they are easy to be confused. In fact, you can see the difference from the upper, loafers are common with bows, tassels, open belts (Penny Keeper), horsebits, etc., while the most classic place of sailing shoes is 2-3 pairs of eyeholes and laces.
▲ Classic penny loafers
Loafers have a very special position in the history of leather shoes, although they have always been known for convenience, but they have slowly developed into different ethnic groups with different ages. From being popular among students in the United States, gradually breaking into Hollywood and high society, even the aforementioned President Kennedy is a lover of loafers, and even changed the original suit dress, Wall Street bankers will wear loafers to work.
With the prevalence of casual style, the trend of combining loafers with rubber outsoles has emerged in Europe, and it has become a popular casual shoe, the upper is usually designed with English mark stitching, and the crease of the rim has a decorative effect, making it suitable for casual and informal occasions.
▎ Demonstration of 2 types of suede loafers
▲ Casual loafers are worn in a similar way to sailing shoes, you can choose a linen shirt with a silk blend, and shorts made of cotton twill, which is casual but textured.
The style is similar to sailing shoes, but with more elegance, choosing a suit made of cotton and linen and loose fit is the most suitable, not limited to shirts, and the white short-sleeved T-shirts that are available in the wardrobe are very clean and good-looking. A reminder, don’t ignore the neatness of the top and the shape of the neckline.
▲ The choice of shirt looks relatively elegant, and the leather color of camel brown makes the whole more highlighted, but not abrupt.
▲ White T-shirt is an item in every man’s wardrobe, and gray shoes are deliberately chosen to neutralize the green.
———
Text Editor – Wang Xijun Lino/茜雯
摄影 – Red Men 红人
服牌 – Ron Select
[Source of information and photos].
http://www.businessinsider.com/history-of-the-boat-shoe-2016-7
https://www.gentlemansgazette.com/boat-shoes-guide-buy-style-history-care/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/28/boat-shoes-history-timeline_n_5597305.html
