Men's summer nautical style guide
How to nail this summertime aesthetic without coming off costume
Picasso, Cary Grant, James Dean – these prominent men may or may not have known their port from their starboard, but they definitely knew a thing or two about the power of nautical style.
Less a trend (as it’s often dubbed by the fashion media), more a summertime perennial, the nautical aesthetic has endured by virtue of its sheer simplicity. Which, funnily enough, is also what sometimes makes it so difficult to get right – tread a little too far into the water and a look that started out as refined rapidly plunges into the cringe-inducing depths of fancy dress.
“It’s so important not to be too literal with this look,” warns Tony Cook, menswear editor at online luxury retailer FarFetch. “Nautical stripes are more than fine, but matching with chinos, boat shoes, a flat cap and anything with anchors will leave you looking like you’re in costume.” A little goes a long way, then.
If this is your maiden voyage with nautical, remember that while the below pieces are all important in their own way, don’t go overboard by piling every single one on together. Anchors away.
The Breton Long- Or Short-Sleeved T-Shirt
An indisputable classic – nothing is more integral to a nautical look than the timeless Breton T-shirt. A short-sleeved style will allow your skin to breathe but a long-sleeved version offers you a little more mileage, lending itself well to both casual and smart-casual getups, year-round.
While the Breton top’s traditional fabrication of wool and cotton was a good fit for fishermen who spent hours toiling at sea, 100 per cent cotton will do fine for your cruise or weekend getaway. As for the stripes, we suggest sticking with the traditional navy and white palette.
