How to Curate Classic Nautical

Tips for incorporating some nautical inspiration into your wardrobe

May 03, 2025

Setting the Scene

On a good day, with the right amount of light and just enough sunshine, my relatively local ‘go to’ marina gives that feeling of being somewhere slightly more exotic than North Wales. No disrespect to North Wales, but I’ve often had photographs mistaken for places on the French Riviera (or Cote d’Azur)!

It’s fresh, idyllic and postcard pretty, with brilliant white yachts, moored and gently bobbing on the water. There’s a distinct soundscape too. The tinkling of halyards against the masts; a halyard slap concerto, accompanied by the lapping of hesitant sea water - the taste of salt on the warm breeze.

Mid-morning and I’m relaxed, sipping a cappuccino while appreciating the view from the yacht club. I could literally be anywhere.

New Nautical

As we face brighter days, sunshine moments and crystal-clear skies, albeit with some slightly chilly mornings, it often gets me thinking about incorporating visually fresher looks into the spring/summer capsule wardrobe. Think, an appealing mix of tonal neutrals, picking out the gentle hues of sand dunes, alongside the deep depths of the ocean. Add in those bold whites, and even a pop of statement red, and we’re beginning to get the nautical inspiration flowing before we even know it.

This isn’t a bad thing. That’s because its generally a look that never goes out of style. Sophisticated and breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen often feature massively, and offer a well presented, yet relaxed vibe. The Spring/Summer 2025 shows, as seen last Autumn, certainly gave way to plenty of nautical stripes, as once again it hits on trend.

It’s worth noting however, that nautical looks do differ from beach looks. Nautical aesthetics tend to feature a seafarer theme, i.e. anchors, stripes, navy, white and red. Whereas the beach look is a bit more generic and often a lot more laid back, and could even drift towards surf vibes – think more along the lines of Bondi Beach rather than Saint-Tropez. That said, in terms of getting creative, the idea is to see where the inspiration takes us and as ever, nothing is set in stone!

Why Nautical Works well in the Spring/Summer Capsule

It’s a timeless trend that delivers on old money aesthetic, being classic, fresh and chic in look. It’s a guise that will also work across all ages too.

There’s a good amount of versatility, given that you can scale the vibe accordingly, meaning there’s ample opportunity to inject colour, if that’s your thing - a pop of cherry red will work tremendously.

This look isn’t just reserved for holidaying on the French Riviera, though. Being classic, sharp and chic, it’s equally suited to an air-conditioned boardroom.

The Inspiration

I recently sourced a great charity shop buy. A lovely 70% wool blazer by Jack Wills that immediately gave me wonderful nautical vibes and set me off on a creative path towards a whole new theme.

The said navy blazer has wonderful detailing in a pearl like colour (slightly off white), not only on the badge – featuring an anchor motif, but also with the buttons. It’s very beautiful material, in great condition and was only £8; a classic nautical-feel staple.

So, I took this to be the basis of exploring some inspiration that leans towards the shores, and how we might develop these types of looks further, utilising what I already have in my wardrobe, including some super old pieces.

Tips for Incorporating Nautical into your Wardrobe

Those who have seen my other posts and videos will know that I already incorporate quite a bit of navy into my capsule wardrobe, and if I ‘shop my closet’- a mainstay exercise for support of slow fashion concepts, then I can pick out items that will deliver on those nautical themes.

There are many styling options for building your own individual look, depending on what you have in your closet and the type of aesthetic you wish to go for, and not least, the type of activities you’re going to be doing. If you’re set on exploring the wet sands with the dog, for example, you can’t go wrong with a pair of Le Chameau wellies, and if rain threatens, opt for touch of nautical yellow with your waterproof…… in terms of the styling, it really is a blank canvas.

The Blazer / Jacket

Where to start? I have a lovely deep indigo denim blazer. This investment piece from Fairfax & Favor – and I refer to it often, is a smart, fitted option, that is perfect for warmer weather.

The second option and the item that inspired this theme is the navy wool mix blazer, of course. This offers a variation to the look, with its differing silhouette (shorter in length, boxier in shape) and more heavy weight construction. This deviation is perfect in a capsule wardrobe and exactly the options you might want, enabling you to not only go for alternative silhouettes, but also handle different temperatures and weather, as required.

Blazers can be dressed up or down and paired with a variety of options including delicate broderie dresses, jeans, shorts and trousers.

Tops - Stipes and Neutrals

A simple striped shirt or tee is probably where it starts for most people because no nautical theme would be complete without them!

I already own navy stripe cashmere layering knits, which of course are classed as a neutral, and consequently, are always going to work with a variety of items. When considering tops, you can select different fabrics, from silk, to cotton, linen to cashmere. You could also opt for crisp shirts, in white, or a blue stripe.

Jacket - Tommy Hilfiger - charity shop bargain at £5!

Bottoms

I have my usual investment and re-purposed old items; a pair of statement Chanel kick flare trousers, again in a lovely pearl (slightly off-white) colour, some crisp white jeggings – a great charity shop buy at just £3 and flattering on the leg. I also have some indigo jeans that will work perfectly – a budget buy from Lidl! It’s a good start!

You can pair your chosen tops with navy or white shorts in warmer weather – either casual or smart, or wide leg trousers / crisp white jeans for a relaxed and chic evening look, perfect for dining at a restaurant – think cocktails after sunset.

Consider Layers

Committed to relaxed mornings, observing the sun tracking its course across those glistening empty sands, abandoned by the outgoing tide? Effortless layering is your best friend! Think fishermen style sweaters to combat cooler mornings, when the salty air can often carry a sharp breeze. Tie around your shoulders when the temperatures raise mid-morning, for brunch. Let’s not forget the workhorse that is the trench coat – longline or cropped, both can work.

Accessories and Colour

Pops of cherry red can add an interesting modern aesthetic to the look this season – you can do this by experimenting with accessories such as handbags, belts, shoes or scarves. In terms of texture play, there are many opportunities to get creative.

Basketweave bags – always a classic summer staple, straw hats, espadrilles and rope detail accessories can all add texture based interest. Want a touch of extra class? Add some elegance with multi-strand pearls, coupled with the luxury of a suede statement handbag.

Footwear

Footwear options are numerous, depending on how you wish to wear the look – sandals, loafers, boat shoes, sneakers, or go with a chic pointed toe pump for an evening.

Channeling your Maritime Inspiration

In short, you don’t need a huge amount of core pieces to make this theme work, but there are endless options in terms of variations and interest points, which can be updated or recycled, year on year.

Remember, it’s not really necessary to do endless hauls or more mass shopping - Ebay or otherwise, just because there’s an updated trend in town. More often than not, you’ve most likely got a collection of pieces that will work just fine. Everyone will have different options and preferences, of course, but first, I recommend you shop your closet to see what you can uncover and transform!

So, there you have it. Get on board, get creative and develop your own storyboard. You might even find yourselves venturing into some nautical folklore!

Bon Voyage!

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