Even the classics in the menswear world can benefit from a closer second look or a dash of reinvention, and that’s something of a specialty of American menswear designer Todd Snyder. Case in point: His namesake brand just took on the tall task of updating a classic, the Sperry Authentic Original Boat Shoe.
Hitting shelves just in time for summer, Snyder (famously known for updating archival styles by everyone from Timex to Champion) takes a luxe approach to the Sperry Top-Sider. Sperry has previously updated its iconic boat shoes alongside the likes of tastemaking brands like Rowing Blazers, and just launched a summer-ready boat shoe collab with Snyder’s old employer, J. Crew.
Featuring vintage-inspired details—including classic brown leather and retro branding on the insole and heel—the Sperry X J.Crew Authentic Original Boat Shoes are available exclusively on jcrew.com for $125.
As for Snyder’s latest limited-edition take on Sperry boat shoes, his new collection includes a special nod to the designer’s prized pair of white Top-Siders from his high school days.
“I have always had the deepest admiration for American heritage brands and consistently
seek to work with the best,” Snyder said, adding that the streamlined boat shoe is an “iconic silhouette synonymous with American style.
And as Snyder notes, “signature design flourishes” (namely luxe Italian suede) nod to Sperry’s history.
In addition to three rich color options in handsome Italian suede, the shoes feature rawhide laces in a nod to Snyder’s travels along the Amalfi coast. That the shoes themselves have enough class and refinement to pass with a breezy tailored khaki cotton suit (perhaps fit for a European coastal wedding) is a nod to an ideal meeting of the minds.
Non-marking Vibram outsoles and a cork footbed deliver prized comfort and a smooth ride underfoot. Handsewn moccasin-style construction also adds pleasing contrast and classic appeal.
“Bringing together two American icons, this capsule feels like a natural extension of both
Sperry and Todd Snyder,” Sperry President Jonathan Frankel said. “Sperry’s timeless
appeal is perfectly balanced by Todd Snyder’s classic approach to modern dressing.”
Whether one selects a true Snyder homage (the white Top-Sider as a throwback to the designer’s high school days in Iowa) or a new classic, these boat shoes seem poised to sell quickly.
They arrived in stores and online on May 2nd, followed by Sperry.com and select retailers starting May 7th. Start counting down to a stylish summer, and ensure your boat shoe rotation follows suit.