Boating Loafers?

On a college campus the boat shoe is ubiquitous, and something more likely to get one invited to a frat party than a yacht club.  So there goes that idea.  Instead I’ve adopted the above pair of moccasins that have more of a Sperry meets Tods vibe.

I’ve written before about my love-affair withe summer driving shoes.  They’re lightweight, easy to wear sockless, and can usually be depended upon for a bit of color pop.  Sometimes though I want something more low-key.  Enter the above pair of mocs.

This particular model is a two or three year old Cole Haan/Nike concoction, but they seem to be making something suspiciously similar this year as well.  The Air Grant, as it is now called, combines the rough-and-tumble laces of the boat shoe with the rubber-nub sole of a driver.  Throw in faded gray nubuck, pebble-grain leather, and some thick blue stitching and you’ve got yourself a great mix of nautical styling and Italian form.  If you want an slightly more continental alternative to the boat shoe, this is my pick.