4 Outfit Formulas For Nailing The Boat Party Aesthetic

American sportswear
Taking your cues from some of the States’ most prominent power families is a surefire way to ensure a sense of timeless sailing style. America’s most prominent sportswear icons, from Tommy Hilfiger to Polo Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein, cut their teeth making gear for sailing enthusiasts, and all of their retro-styled pieces today come infused with that same high seas-ready aesthetic. As such, they look about as at home in a boat party scenario as you could imagine.

La dolce vita
The Mediterranean style icons of the mid 20th century regularly delivered masterclasses in leisurely boating style, counterbalancing the prim and proper American sportswear you saw in the Hamptons with a more relaxed approach that took cues from flowy Italian tailoring. To embrace the look, you want to look for relaxed cuts and breezy fabrics like linen Country Road shirts and lightweight wool knits, designed to be taken off and on with ease and to look effortlessly stylish when dressed down with swim shorts. 

Party, party, party
The loud colours and bright prints of the festival circuit also translate very well into the boat party setting, with more and more brands coming out with party-ready shirts that combine breathable fabrics, playful cuts and prints that are stylish without looking too boomer-ish. Try Double Rainbouu’s signature camp collar shirts, and if you’re feeling particularly brave, match it with a pair of their party pants.

Refined workwear
While the weekend watersports warriors have traditionally gone to sea in an array of designer sportswear, the real sailors have to don something a little tougher. Thankfully, utilitarian streetwear from the likes of Carhartt, Dickies and Stan Ray has never been more stylish – their signature loose fitting pants, shorts and tees lending themselves surprisingly well to a relaxed, carefree fit.