What to Wear on a Boat

Boating has its own type of fashion that is unique to the practice, and it has developed over the last few hundred years to the clothing we recognize today as being “nautical” in nature. If you want to class up your next deck boat trip, you can take some of these style cues from the past to make yourself stand out from the crowd.

But where did boat shoes and striped shirts come from? Read on to find out the history of boat fashion, along with suggestions on what you can wear.

Boat Shoes

Boat shoes, those slip-on loafers that most boaters have, were created in the 1930s by boater Paul Sperry, who saw that the cracks in the paws of his cocker spaniel allowed the dog to easily walk on wet or icy concrete without slipping. He designed a slip-on shoe with a notched rubber sole that wouldn’t scuff the deck of the boat while also providing sufficient traction to keep the wearer upright. Today, you can find boat shoes in many colors, styles, and materials, and they’re never not fashionable to wear on your deck boat.

Striped Shirts

The classic marine striped shirt stems from the wear of sailors in the French Navy. In the middle of the 19th century, the French Navy implemented a knitted, striped shirt with a wide “boat neck” and three-quarter length sleeves that could be worn under the over-jacket without sticking out.

The pattern of dark stripes on a white background allowed a sailor who had fallen overboard to be more easily spotted amongst the gray waves. The wide neck and shorter sleeves also made the shirt easy for sailors to move around in, as it did not fit them too snugly.

Today, this style of shirt is extremely popular with men and women, and it has many variations. In France, it is called a marinière, which simply means “sailor.”

Dressing For a Deck Boat Party

If you want to look especially fashionable on your next boat trip, you can implement classic items like boat shoes and striped shirts. You can also wear chino shorts and high-waisted “sailor pants,” which have become especially popular in women’s fashion. A blazer or jacket over a button-down shirt is a classic look for men.

Your look can be accented with nautical-themed patterns like seashells, fish, anchors, and compasses. Brass buttons or fixtures are also very thematic, as they resemble traditional navy uniforms. Make sure that you’re adding a modern pair of high-UV rating sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun!

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