Set Sail in Chic Boat Shoes

We know, we know. Boat shoes call to mind those thick-soled monsters your dad used to wear on family vacations. It's almost impossible to believe, but the same shoes have come a long way, baby - and now they're surprisingly chic. We're talking about downright stylish shoes you'll wear whether you're on a boat, the boardwalk or merely putting in time at the mall.

Yep, they've still got thick soles - that's a hallmark of a traditional boat shoe, after all - but these Sperry Top-Sider Bahama Boat Shoes ($75) are anything but traditional. Get a load of the translucent sequins, which add a flashy finish to a practical shoe. Oh, they're also available in 18 colors. Good enough for us!

Here's a boat shoe you can wear with everything from cropped pants to cotton mini skirts. Designed by Call It Spring, the Friddell Flat Shoes ($35) are adorable in navy and white. Nautical-chic look aside, they've got cushioned footbeds and sturdy soles for the ultimate in all-day-long comfort.

We're wild about these preppy Jones New York Daegal Flats ($99). More the sort of boat shoe you'd wear if you were, say, lounging around instead of doing anything physical, they boast a hint of vintage elegance coupled with the modern charm of a sleek everyday shoe.

Leave it to Steve Madden to resist the bland and offer up something bright and colorful in its place. The Yachtt boat shoe ($49.95) is utter perfection in rich eggplant, with a durable rubber sole detailed with visible, bold topstitching. Love it!

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