An overview of the history of the deck shoe and how it has evolved into an essential summer fashion item for everyone.

1. The Evolution
of The Deck Shoe…
By Edward Phelan
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2. Introduction
• Deck shoes were unsurprisingly, initially designed
for sailors who had difficulty maintaining a firm
grip on the wet and slippery decks of their boats
• The shoes available to them were simply not
suitable for the arduous task of sailing in wet and
windy conditions
• As you can expect, this led to numerous
accidents, causing both serious injury and
embarrassment for all those concerned
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3. • In the 1930s, Paul Sperry, a keen sailor,
was also suffering with the problem of
having not having suitable footwear when
out sailing
• One cold winter day in Connectict, he was
out walking his dog when he realised how
well his pooch was able to maintain a grip
when running across the ice
• He examined his dog’s feet and noticed
that the grooves on his pads were
providing a strong grip on the slippery
surface
• This gave Sperry the idea of cutting
grooves into the soles of his sailing boots
The Birth of the Deck Shoe
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4. From Humble Beginnings…
• Sadly for Sperry, the concept of siping the sole of a piece of
footwear had already been invented and patented by John F Sipe in
1923
• Sperry decided to use the design on his footwear and it proved to be
highly effective in increasing his shoe’s grip when out boating
• However, he noticed that shoes with black-soles caused marks to be
left on deck, this proved to be a major design flaw. Sperry
addressed this by switching to white soles
• This proved to be ever so successful, and while the deck shoe
remained a niche product, its importance was recognised and the
US Navy negotiated a deal to manufacture the shoes for its crew
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5. • It wasn’t until the publication of The Official
Preppy Handbook in 1980, that the deck shoe
exploded onto the fashion scene and became
a ‘Preppy’ icon in the USA
• It wasn’t long until it became an essential
mainstream fashion accessory and was
considered a must-have piece of summer
footwear.
…Into The Mainstream

6. Deck Shoe Characteristics
• Deck shoes usually have mid to dark-brown leather
uppers. However, they can also be bought in both
canvas and leather in various colours and patterns
• The shoe’s uppers are specially treated to repel water
and to prevent unsightly staining
• A quality pair of deck shoes will be hand-sewn and
top-stitched in order to provide lasting quality
• As previously stated, they usually have white, non-
marking soles but they are now available with soles in
a variety of colours
• A traditional feature of deck shoes is to have a 360-
degree lacing system. However, now that they have
branched out into fashion culture, other styles are now
available
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7. When & How to Wear Deck Shoes
• As you would expect, deck shoes are best avoided in winter months, but
are perfect to wear in spring and summer when your feet need that extra
little bit of ventilation
• They go perfectly with a pair of chinos or smart shorts; this makes them
an essential piece of footwear for those days that you need that smart-
casual look- they are perfect for those warm, relaxing summer days
• If you wish to get that extra little bit of focus on your shoes, then
consider rolling up your trousers a little bit in order to accentuate them
even more
• If you want to make sure that you look your best, always wear deck
shoes that are darker than your shorts of trousers

8. Socks or No
Socks? That Is the
Question
• This is an issue that has
plagued mankind ever since
deck shoes were discovered
• Deck shoes were originally
intended to be worn without
socks due to practicality.
• However, those in an urban
sphere tend to break this
rule occasionally.
• The short answer is….NO!

9. How to Take Care of Deck Shoes
Deck shoes will be frequently exposed to both sun and salt water,
it is therefore essential that they are properly cared for if they are
to last you as long as they should do
• Make sure that you keep your deck shoes clean and free or dirt and
dust, use a good quality brush to do this as and when required
• Do not machine wash deck shoes, even if they don’t contain leather-
they could easily be destroyed in the machine
• Ensure that your shoes are dried at room temperature and avoid direct
sunlight
• To keep them looking there best, invest in a water-based shoe polish.
• Do not use liquid polishes that contain alcohol, it will ruin the
appearance of your shoes
Shoe Care

10. Thanks for Reading
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