Thought Docksides Were Dead?
Remember that 2009-10 phase where every bloke was strutting his stuff down shopping avenues in Docksides?
Well remember no more, because boat shoes are back in London town and Sebago is the footwear franchise leading the style renaissance.
To be honest, they haven’t really stopped being worn – a pair of blue Lacoste deck shoes still sit comfortably in the bottom of my wardrobe but I have to admit that I’ve fallen a little out of love with them.
It’s slightly to do with the insane amounts of summer sun we had (can you sense my sarcasm there?) and partly because I can never match the fashion gear to the feet. Docksides/boat shoes/deck shoes – whatever you want to call them – just feel too clunky and too on-show for someone who prefers to keep things subtle and simple.
So imagine my surprise when I was invited to a London PR boutique for some fashion-forward looks to 2011 and saw an understated yet beautiful pair of boat shoes sitting on a desk…
Sebago is the genius brand behind the Docksides I saw and is also the genius brand behind the Dockside itself. The American-based company introduced the marine-style footwear for the first time back in 1970 and it has gone on to become one of the most exported and sported types of shoe in the last few decades.
But they’ve only really hit high-fashion stores in the last few years and central London is fast becoming one of their top locations – miles away from any Atlantic sea vessel and even further from the beach.
Stop off at Shoreditch and you’ll see downtown prep boys in Dockside shoes. Go in the absolute opposite direction to see the uptown office yuppie scene and you’ll see Dockside shoes as well.
Which is what I like about this new wave of boat shoe: it can really go with anything without drawing too much of the focus. The turned-up trousers and up-sock style that seems to be making headway on the runways goes perfect with a pair of deck shoes. Even a summer suit wouldn’t look too out of place with a pair of Docksides on your feet.
And if you’re looking for something with a bit more heel, look no further than Vans or Sperry, who are both turning the boat shoe into a high-top. Something on the city’s style horizon maybe?
Sebago and the Dockside boat shoe are becoming a big hit on the London fashion scene and I fully expect to see the city’s males bringing them out in all their yachty glory!
Check out the Sebago website for some of the more upmarket Docksides (and a list of London stockists) or veer yourself towards the high street stores for something a little more affordable.
Image by Special KRB courtesy of Flickr
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