Boatmen and the history of their creation

Favorite shoes of sailors and yachtsmen, confidently won the world's catwalks and the hearts of fashionistas. A piece of summer sea cruise in one pair of shoes. All this is about topsiders who have become a real must have for several seasons and are not going to leave the fashion scene in the near future.

Appeared favorite shoes yachtsmen and urban dandies due to unusual circumstances. Namely, thanks to the observations of a fun running and playing spaniel. Unlike the legs of the host, the dog's paws refused to slide on the wet ice. Based on his observations and examining the soles of his pet, Paul Sperry invented the perfect yachting shoe. The main distinguishing feature, even more the hallmark of this shoe, was its rubber sole with a characteristic herringbone pattern resembling the sole of the paws of an animal. Due to the peculiarities of the pattern, the sole provides maximum grip even with a very wet deck during heavy rolling.

As well as many of today's popular clothing items, which have been transferred to everyday wardrobe from military uniforms, they quickly moved to the everyday clothing of citizens. People quickly appreciated the benefits of such shoes and they have received world fame as a comfortable men's pair of shoes.

A helping hand was extended by K. Reingold. He actively replicated to the masses the idea that topsiders are not only an ideal pair of shoes for members of yacht clubs, fishermen and sailors, but also practical, men's shoes for everyday wear.

From its submission the range was replenished with models for women, and later - for children. Maritime themes burst into fashion. From this moment on, a new round of popularity of all your favorite shoes takes over. And when they were also included in the Official Preppy Style Handbook, there was no end of the buyers. Fans of university style actively bought up a landmark accessory around the world. Due to its appearance and incredible convenience, the model still remains one of the most popular among men's and women's shoes.

Boatmen look like a cross between moccasins, loafers and sneakers. But this fashion accessory has a number of differences, distinguishing it from other shoe models:

• Traditional models of top-sellers are made exclusively by hand.
• The sole must have a light, mostly white color. This feature appeared for a reason: the white sole of the shoe leaves no trace on the snow-white decks of the yachts. Since the model was originally conceived specifically for yacht owners, this feature saved from the need to constantly scrape the deck.
• Leather lace is a distinctive feature, as well as a mandatory attribute of topsiders. In this shoe lacing is located around the perimeter, performing a decorative and fixing function.In the traditional version of the lace should be just leather, but in many modern models use laces from different materials.
• Holes for lacing have a special coating that is protected from moisture. Due to this element, the service life of the shoes is increased, a pair of topsiders will please the owner with a constant view for several seasons.
• Leather, which is a material for classic models, has water-repellent properties and is particularly soft. Such leather is so soft and practical that after a couple of days of socks, shoes take the form of the foot of its owner. Currently, leather has ceased to be the only material for the production of topsiders.
• And finally, the classical model has a traditional shape, somewhat reminiscent of the shape of moccasins and edging with a thread around the perimeter.

Such fashionable shoes, like topsiders, are now produced not only for men, but also for women and children. Modern design decisions regarding fashion trends have affected not only the shape, but also the color, decor, uvula shape, material, the number of armholes for the lace. Brand stylists compete in craftsmanship to offer us the most interesting options.

The original model had a non-brand brown top and a white sole. Now in the shop windows of the Shoe Fashion masters you can see the different colors of these shoes. The most popular colors are:

• Beige. Light and noble shade can now be found both at the top and on the sole. The color has gained popularity due to its versatility and excellent combination with light summer clothes.

• Sand has become a more democratic substitute for brown. Lighter, successfully complementing any images in the urban style.

• Milky color it looks more noble than white, besides it is less easily soiled, which is ideal for city footwear. This color contrasts beautifully with brown laces and edging.

• Navy blue or, as it is also called, blue navy is the base color for marine-style clothing and preppy style. Practical and unmarked, he deserved the attention of fashionistas and fashionistas.

• Blue It becomes a great complement to chic sport or youth cruise style suites.

• Crimson bright color harmoniously dilutes the sets of snow-white clothing. Gives individuality to the style of urban dandies and dandies.

• Prints also become a frequent adornment of the topsiders. Widespread marine motifs - stripes, anchors. You can also find floral, sometimes - animal paintings.

Traditional leather has given way to more democratic fabrics. The most popular are:

• Textile. Summer models of textiles are extremely practical, differ in affordable prices, for which they are loved by young people.

• Nubuck - excellent material for off season and rainy weather.

• Suede less practical, but soft and presentable, has become the favorite material of respectable fashionistas and fashionistas.

By itself, the model already has decorative elements, such as lacing around the perimeter and edging. But some designers go further and offer additional decoration of shoes with fringe, patterns, embroidery.

Over the past few years, different brands are changing the production technology of topsiders, forming a new round of fashion trends for these shoes.

• Shoe brand Sperry released on the market the 75th collection, for which they first used the technology "Washed leather".

• Italian brand stylists Buttero presented to the public a line of Color Welt, consisting of suede and leather models. As a distinctive feature of the collection, they added a fringing to the sole and covered the cord with a strip of leather around the perimeter.

• Paul Smith played with color, presenting the topsiders of bright colors in preppy style: in wine, emerald and classic brown.

• Giorgio armani I used a cruise theme when creating my collection.His topsiders were made of soft suede deep blue, and the lacing was like a rope.

• Mark Timberland I decided to look at the shoes from the youth. As a result, in their collections you can see the upgraded topsiders that are different from the classical model. Stylists brand is not limited to the expansion of color. They got to the lace, changing its width, made changes to the usual number of holes for lacing, put on shoes fringe and tassels.

• In collection Sebago by Ronnie Fieg You could find a model called Mohican, which embodies a combination of textures and colors. For the manufacture of models used a combination of suede with leather. Boatmen were presented in a calm classic range, dominated by graphite, green, beige, wine colors and their combinations. As the decor was used fringe.

Before you start choosing your perfect pair, you should familiarize yourself with the list of the most popular manufacturers. Top-Sider was created thanks to the efforts of the Sperry brand, but in the wake of its popularity, many brands wanted to add these shoes to their collections. We present you a list of the most famous manufacturers:

• Timberland, producing unusual pairs for young people.
• Sebago have been producing topsiders since the 60s of the last century. They call their model docksides.
• Tommy Hilfiger, which produces cruise collections of clothes and shoes.
• Paul Smith.
• Giorgio Armani.
• Sebago by Ronnie Fieg.

A few general rules for the choice of topsiders:

• When trying on a walk around the store, make sure that your shoes do not shake, the foot should feel comfortable.
• For everyday wear, choose models from natural materials.
• If you choose a basic pair of shoes, discard the abundance of decorative elements.
• If you already have a pair of topsiders at your disposal and you want a variety, choose the second pair with an unusual decor, made in an unusual color.
• Make sure that the topsiders are soft enough if you have to wear them on bare feet.

The lace of this shoe is not only a decorative function, but also serves to fix the shoe on the foot. Therefore, when stitching up a topsider, tighten the lace so tightly that the shoes sit tight, but do not tighten the leg.

Front lacing is the same as for any other pair of shoes. The loose ends of the laces can be hidden inside.

Pay attention to the leather laces, their edges are not processed in any way, this is done so that, if necessary, the lace can be cut to the desired length. You can take advantage of this.

The most important question that torments everyone who decided to buy a pair of yachting shoes for themselves is: can you wear them with socks?

The answer is obvious: topsiders should be worn solely on bare feet. Why? There is a logical explanation for this: the shoes were originally designed for yachting lovers, it was understood that you need to wear them without socks. The second argument: yet topsiders are a summer model for everyday, not business style.

Another mistake: the combination of topsiders with a business suit or extremely extravagant outfit. Preppy style or casual is the maximum that lovers of this shoe can afford.Lightweight and casual shoes for yachting will look strange in combination with a business style or too extravagant bright things.

What then can be combined with them? The choice is wide enough, it is important that the clothes have a relaxed, relaxed look and style. Fabrics choose light, soothing inactive tones.

Linen or cotton trousers with a thin straight-cut cotton shirt. You can put a club jacket on your shoulders.

Straight cut jeans, possibly with cropped trousers with a polo shirt and cardigan.

Beach wear. Bermuda with a polo shirt or t-shirt.

Top-sellers are representatives of unisex shoes for everyday wear. We have selected for you the best urban images for men and women, representing a combination of topsiders with clothes in different styles.

• Create a smart summer look. Choose blue jeans with a straight cut, a gray club jacket and a light white shirt. Combine with topsiders classic brown. In order to emphasize the relaxation and informality of the image, or just to not be hot, roll up the sleeves of the jacket and the trouser legs of jeans.

• For a walk around the city, choose chinos of pale lemon color, pick up a loose linen shirt in a dusty blue color, the light-beige pair of shoes will perfectly complete the look.

• Do not give up your favorite shoes in the spring or early fall. Sandy-colored chinos complete with a white long-sleeve sweater. Bright blue top-boots with thick soles will be able to revive your image.

• Would you like to embody the image of a successful yachtsman? Easy! Choose a calm shade bermuda and pick up a T-shirt or shirt. You can throw a jacket. Light negligence and expensive accessories are welcome. Top-sellers choose noble colors and forget about the sock.

• Would you like to create an image in preppy style? Skinny pants and a white shirt with a fitted jacket. Topsiders choose brown. Dilute the kit with appropriate accessories, such as a handkerchief, bow tie.

• Do not be afraid to experiment, topsiders will complement almost any summer look. Shorts, jeans, trousers - all this harmonizes perfectly with soft shoes in a relaxed style.

Women in matters of fashion are not limited to strict limits, they can afford to try on any combination, while remaining in the trend.

• Want to stand out from the crowd? Choose a leopard print cardigan and black skinny pants. The relevance of the image is well underlined by bright colorful topsiders.

• Do you have long legs and are you sure that your style is perfect? Pick up bright red socks for pink shoes. This combination is appropriate with short shorts. Active color socks support other accessories, such as handles bag-shopper.

• For a navy look, choose a vest and skinny jeans. Bright red shoes will refresh the image, and a hat will add to it a romantic femininity.

• Choose topsiders and a clutch with the same print, this combination will be the highlight of the image. To make your kit fresh and summer, choose multi-layered and light colors.

• In order not to part with soft slippers, even in the fall, replace them with familiar shoes. Choose topsiders calm colors. They will be perfectly combined with a woolen coat and tight pants.

To the sound of the surf, white sails and salt water, because sometimes you want to take the summer with you? A pair of soft topsideers will color your city weekdays and help you create inspirational kits in the nautical style and not only.