Fashion Blog » Travel Fashion: Naughty Nautical

Nothing says beach like boating, nothing says boating like thick blue and white stripes and a sequined anchor (or two). Picture sipping margaritas while steadying the main on Daddy’s darling, the Sea Breeze. Summer speaks a different language, and part of the fluency comes from knowing how to pretend you’re on vacation when you actually aren’t. Is the inner city the best place to sport your nautical side? Not necessarily. But that doesn’t mean, while waltzing around the shore or taking a lazy afternoon in the park, you can’t dress as though you just stepped off the boat.

The Fabric. Think light and breezy…you might not be picking up the North wind, but you can always make sure your outfit is ready, just in case. Think linen and light cotton, nothing thick and woolen. A few careful light layers can look charming while keeping you cool. In terms of color, don’t feel obligated to the navy blue and white combo. There are plenty of beautiful pastels to experiment with!

TIP: keep your eyes peeled for lightweight fabrics with thick hems…it will keep your skirt or shirt from catching more wind than the sail. This sundress by J-Crew is a good example of what to look for.

                                     Cotton Interlock Cross-Back Jumper -J-Crew: $118.00

The Shoes. This is a little tricky. Motorboats should be fine barefoot or with sandals, but sailboats are not as stable and sometimes require some grip from your footwear. Go for the classic boat style shoe with a twist, like these flats inspired by the original sailing shoe designer, Paul Sperry:

                             Sperry Top-Sider Womens Largo Ballet Skimmer: $59.00

The Accessories. Sunglasses are absolutely essential, as is sunscreen and the biggest straw hat you can find. Summer heat may be unbearable, but the sunburn after a day on a boat with no protection will be even worse. Every good sailor knows sun reflects off the water and hits you from more than just the top, so be extra mindful to protect all exposed skin. My personal favorite are those bright headscarves that have come in fashion recently.

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for scarves. 
                                        Shop for more Sperry shoes.
                                        Shop for women’s sunglasses.
                                        Shop for sunscreen.

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