Trend Spotlight: Nautical

I know the title of this trend spotlight is “nautical,” but that’s not exactly accurate. I think of nautical as a little bit broader of a term. Not cheesy, or costumey… it’s a little bit different than that. Maybe we should call it “nautical, redefined” instead.

I think of nautical as a sort of chic, All-American look, mixed with that 40′s style of old. I might be the only one that sees it as such, but stay with me here. You can create plenty of fab looks within this context.

For summer, I am a huge fan of the chambray shirt. I wear my (multiple) shirts constantly. They’re lighter than denim, but have the same low-key look to them. You can pair them with anything; try a denim-on-denim type look with jean shorts, or rock your shirt with a skirt as an alternative to a button-down.

Another piece to love is the most nautical of the bunch, the sailor shorts. They’re perfect for July and August! They remind me of a yachting adventure (that is, if I had a yacht… but anyway). Wear with a simple white tee and a great pair of sunglasses. Dress them down with easy flat sandals, or dress them up with wedges. The button detailing allows you to wear them either way.

Then, opt for stripes. Stripes are tricky because they can widen you if you’re not careful. So, choose a breezier, loose silhouette to skim your body. A tank is perfect to wear over your bikini as you hit all those end-of-summer parties, right?

Lastly, kids, it’s time to accessorize. For that reason, we’re turning to a few classics for inspiration. Take a page out of a 40′s pin-up’s handbook and grab some sexy cat-eye sunglasses. Wear them with anything to add a little sophistication to your look. Finally, work an oversize hat for the beach. You do plan on spending some time by the waves in August, am I right? If you haven’t penciled in any beach time, your hat will be the perfect excuse to hit the sand.

So, what do y’all think of my All-American nautical look? Would you try any of these ideas? (Are you already in love with chambray shirts??) Sound off in the comments.