Nautical but nice (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Nautical but nice

11:30am Tuesday 12th May 2009 in

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There are some trends in fashion that you can bet your mortgage on seeing return every summer. Florals, check. Safari, check. Boho, triple check.

But the biggest boomerang of all is undoubtedly sailor chic.

No matter how much red, white and blue is anchored on the spring/summer catwalks, it seems we’ll never become seasick of nautical style.

This season there are two ports of call for naval fans. Either go old school with classic stripes and crisp cottons, or head for oversized nautical motifs as seen at D&G and Stella McCartney this season.

Look to anchors, boats, flags and sailor knots to really set sail with this tongue-in-cheek take on the trend.

Get your wardrobe ship-shape for summer. It’s time to go nautical but nice!

DAYTIME DECKWARE

Wide sailor pants, striped tops and lashings of red, white and blue – these are the foundations for seaside style that we all have lying around ready and waiting for nautical recycling.

For a look that’s timeless, take inspiration from traditional Gallic chic. Start with jaunty stripes and mix in tones of navy and red. It’s also plain sailing this summer with classic Chanel-style red, white and blue boucle suits.

Surprise accents of sunshine yellow will make the anchor-adventurous stand out from the rest of the harbour crowds by day. Wallflower on board? Tone down the look with alternative monochrome stripes.

TRY: Boohoo blue and white striped blazer, £30; New Look striped anchor jumper, £28; Therapy white pleated skirt, £25 at House of Fraser; Next red jersey blazer jacket, £28.

NIGHT-TIME NAUTICAL

Nautical by night? Not usually. But inspired by the designer’s glamorous take on the Riviera, naval style has gone a touch sparkly this season.

X Factor’s Alexandra Burke, Alesha Dixon and Katy Perry have all recently stepped out on the red carpet in sequinned dresses – all D&G – featuring bold anchor and boat motifs.

Look for all-over sequin nautical numbers to dazzle, or single out prints or collars in sequins for a more subtle nod to naval-by-night.

TRY: Evans navy anchor sequin top, £50; Miss Real red ruffle nautical blouse, £25 at Oli; Dahlia sailor dress with embroidered boat hem, £75 at ASOS.

ACCESSORIES AHOY

No need to go overboard. A simple navy or white dress can be transformed into natty nautical wear instantly with a couple of choice accessories.

This season, deck shoes are big news if you favour flats or stick to towering rope-detail wedges if you have a head for heights.

As long as you’re not playing captain on board a real-life boat, who cares about practicality? Have fun with boater hats and play around with costume jewellery by layering up plastic red, white and blue bangles on your wrist.

Just like the catwalks, you’ll also find cutesy anchor and boat emblems on pendants and earrings.

TRY: Untold plastic bangles, £15 each at House of Fraser; Accessorize red suede boater pumps, £30; ASOS boater hat, £15; George at Asda nautical spot silk scarf, £5; ASOS striped disc anchor earrings, £6; Me and Zena Take Me Down anchor chain, £14.