[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he summer may be over, but the time to begin planning future adventure is always right now. Any one of us who have a friend with a yacht (or perhaps, we are that friend), look forward to spending the warm summer days on board, with the coastline just an image in the distant horizon, drinks in hand, and the cool summer breeze blowing through your hair. While yachting has the reputation of being a sport for the rich, in this day and age, the close-knit circle has widened to include people of all areas in life. In fact, most places offer memberships and marina services which include lower rates for chartering that it is more feasible for people to go yachting. And yes, possibly throw a sailing party.
So what do you wear if you get invited to a boat party? Now before you go pull out your stripped shirts and khakis for that popular nautical style, remember sailing can be as chic and fabulous as any other activity. Clothing options are only limited if you will encounter bad weather, and even in this case, you can still look fashionable. Here are four tips to look great and be safe when you go sailing. Bon Voyage!
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If you are just in for some casual sailing, buying specialized clothing would be a bit over the top. Comfort is everything in such an unnatural environment as a boat. Whether sailboat or motorboat, sailing is a windy past time. Layers will protect you from the waterfront chill, where temperatures are always at least a little lower than on the mainland. This doesn’t mean you have to bury your sense of style by resigning to a fleece sweatshirt and sweatpants. A cable-knit wool sweater paired with a blazer will keep you warm and fashionable, and you will get to pay homage to one of pop culture’s better known sea dogs, Tintin’s Captain Haddock. The boater’s outfit is traditionally navy blue (the name gives it away, really), but a non-conformist could try an English Rose image, with tweed, wool, and corduroy (try not to go overboard in this, as heavy materials like wool tend to get waterlogged. In fact, try not to go overboard, ever). Unless, of course, you are sailing in the middle of July, in which case, the cool breeze will come as relief from the hot sun reflecting off the water’s surface. In either case, soft, flowy materials such as silk and chiffon look amazing on a yacht, but practicality calls for wearing a blazer above.
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Grass is green, and water is wet. A stationary boat is a very pleasant place to spend time on, but sailing is all waves, foam and spray. As with all elementary wetness, whether or not you are going to be offended by the sea getting in your face depends on whether or not you choose to accept being drenched along with your mates as a fun, bonding experience, or as a slight nuisance. If the day is warm, and the water is tame, you will stay relatively dry wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and shorts! At the first sign of waves, however, some sort of protection is welcome (and necessary). Bring raincoats and windbreakers with you that are waterproof; preferably made of nylon. Never underestimate the powers of a windbreaker in keeping you warm. Plus it can also lessen the amount of layers you need, hence looking like a snug potato.
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Since open waters are not man’s natural habitat, getting stranded out at sea is not fun. Staying safe and staying on board are the most important factors when you plan to go sailing. The slippery planks are the most dangerous part of the boat (even on the safest boat). But say you decide to go throw a bit of common sense out the window, the right footwear is imperative. Boating shoes are an obvious choice–designed for the purpose–but anything will work as long as it is closed toe, non-slip and non-marking! Hair, scarves, and jewelry shouldn’t be left long and free to the point where they can get caught on the rigging (ouch!). Last but not least, sunblock! The sun reflects off the water’s surface, hitting you harder than it would on dry land, and that is a sure path to sunburn. Applying sunblock regardless of how cloudy it is prevents unpleasantness afterwards. Hats and sunglasses are another way to do this, and they are so chic, too!
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Here’s a fashion statement so important, it gets its own section. All right, so it’s not a fashion statement, but by all means it should be one. Laws, local and international, demand that everybody on board a boat wear a personal flotation device, yet most people still don’t wear them. Think of it as a life belt in a car – if your driving friend doesn’t insist that you buckle yourself in, then you really need to rethink this friendship. Granted floating devices aren’t the most fashionable, but as they say fashion is as much about how you rock it as what you wear. So put on your floating device, grab your friends and do a few fun selfies.
