The other day, my teen came to me and asked for Sperry Topsiders. Trying to control my glee, I casually asked, “Oh, so are they in style now?” And apparently, the answer is a resounding “YES!”
Authentic Topsiders have gone in and out of popular fashion since they were created back in 1935 as the first truly practical boating shoe on the market.
The history of the shoe is actually somewhat of a strange story. According to Smithsonian magazine, “Paul A. Sperry got the idea for his iconic shoes while watching his dog, a cocker spaniel named Prince, play in the snow. He realized that the dog didn’t slip on the ice.” And he set out to design a shoe that wouldn’t slip either. The trademark herringbone pattern of grooves in the Topsiders sole is actually reminiscent of the grooves and cracks in a dog’s paw!
The popularity of these practical shoes reached a fever pitch in the preppy 1980s (thanks, in no small part, to multiple mentions in The Official Preppy Handbook). But today’s version isn’t quite the pair of prepster 1980s Topsiders that I fondly remember…
The styling is basically unchanged from the days I sported classic brown leather Topsiders with kilts, with khakis, with shorts (and pretty much everything else). But these new boating shoes are now available in canvas or leather in fashion-forward, bright colors like lemon, electric green and bubble gum pink!
Shop at Sperry’s official site and now, help Sperry celebrate National Safe Boating Week. Purchase between now and May 27 and receive 10% off your final order with code SAFETY.
Even A-list celebrities like Blake Lively have been seen sporting these casual, comfortable, and incredibly practical shoes. Which gets me to thinking… should I resurrect my classic brown pair or go for a new pair of navy?
- Sperry yellow canvas shoes ($118 – coggles.com)
- Lace boat shoes ($75 – sperrytopsider.com)
- Trainers shoes ($75 – sperrytopsider.com)
Wanna win pieces from your favorite fashion, beauty and accessories brands? Take some time to enter our fashion, beauty and style giveaways. And, if you enjoyed this Sperry Topsiders Now in Fun Brights post, visit the Women’s Fashion tab for more fashion trends and ideas.
Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style. From must-have fashion and accessories, to gorgeous gardens, stunning interiors, plus the latest products for parties, weddings, and events of all kinds. Susan Conforte McNeill is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the literacy organization Success Won’t Wait! Susan Said…WHAT?! was named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone.
PRODUCT REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY DETAILS: If you have a fashion, beauty or style product line and want an honest evaluation, or if you would like to create a giveaway or promotion, please contact us.
DISCLAIMER: No financial compensation or product samples of the shoes mentioned above were received in exchange for this Sperry Topsiders post. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I believe will be good for my readers.