The Sailor's Style Guide: How to Dress at a Yacht Club

If you've been invited to a casual yacht club rendezvous, you'll need the right threads to fit in.  In this guide, we'll walk you through the yacht club attire you'll need to fit in. Hint: you can find the perfect outfit head to toe with Castaway!

You've been invited to a meal or event at a local yacht club, but you've never been to one before. Suddenly, the panic sets in. What should you wear? Fortunately, there are lots of options and visiting a yacht club does not mean you have to spend a lot of money just to fit in. This post will give you some pointers on yacht club attire so that you feel neither under nor overdressed, and can really enjoy yourself and have a great time at the club.

Before you even think about what to wear, check to see if the yacht club you're going to has a dress code posted online. Most of them do, and the rules can vary from club to club. The Nantucket Yacht Club, for example, requires semi-formal attire for its dinners and cocktail attire including ties for men during its dinner dances and balls. The Hyannis Yacht Club goes into a little more detail. It accepts stylish casual wear including clean, neat jeans and shorts for lunch. For dinner, guests are expected to step it up by leaving the denim at home and wearing sports coats. Different areas of a club may also have different dress rules. Bars and outdoor decks tend to more lax and allow casual clothing.

Sometimes, the easiest way of narrowing down what to wear is to eliminate what you should not wear. This is just a partial list of how not to show up at any kind of yacht club unless you want to be denied admittance or receive a lot of disapproving glares. All rules listed apply to the inside of the club, and can vary for beach and dock rulings.

Flip Flops or Going Barefoot: This rule applies INSIDE the club, or for any meal time. Most people love the beach, but going barefoot is not only unacceptable, but unhygienic.

You'll want to wear appropriate footwear such as sturdy sandals or closed toe shoes. While a lot of children and adults love their flip-flops, they may be a little too casual for a yacht club atmosphere. The most popular choice here is a boat shoe style but a bridle bit driver is always appropriate - check the latest. The lightly worn leather and pencil-curled laces fit the bill in the cool department.

Torn, Stained, or Worn Clothing: Any attire that is showing signs of wear such as rips, stains that never came out, holes, missing buttons, etc. should be left at home.

Baseball Caps and Other Hats: Most yacht clubs prefer that men remove their caps when inside the venue. Save them for the sailing excursions.

Extra points on the water if you rock the Club’s Burgee on the hat!

Swimwear: Just a no-no. Save it for the boat and the beach. A cover-up can be acceptable for the patio.

Going Shirtless: Nope!

Undershirts as Shirts: See above. You may also want to be careful about choosing a t-shirt, particularly one with graphics, when visiting a yacht club. Most prefer that you wear a collared shirt, even if it's a casual one such as a polo shirt.

Tank tops for men and any tank tops for women that are skimpy and don't hide undergarments should be saved for another occasion.

Women have a lot of options when it comes to visiting a yacht club. Linen and cotton make the perfect summer blouses. A light but structured Sleeveless Top paired with a sweater is perfect for warding off cool sea breezes when you're out on the deck. A polo or collared shirt works well for the yacht club scene as well. You can also consider a dressy blouse that has a little bit of flounce to it. If shorts are allowed for the time and area of the club you're visiting, consider sporting Sailing shorts with a cute anchor embroidery. They're cool, classy, and show off just the right amount of leg. Casual skirts and dresses are perfectly fine as well as long as they're not too short and revealing. If you're attending a party at a yacht club you may need to wear a nice cocktail dress, or a classic Tunic Dress for a day event. Special events such as balls and dinner dances usually specify what is appropriate attire on the invitation.

Don't forget to have fun with accessories! A straw handbag can complete a nautical themed look.

For most casual yacht club occasions, men can't go wrong with a collared shirt and long pants or Cisco Shorts. Pastel and preppy shades such as summer green, hurricane red, and islander blue rule here.

When casual attire is allowed, collared sport or polo shirts are always in fashion. Seersucker and linen shirts are available in several colors and patterns for summer club get-togethers. If jeans are not allowed, seersucker or cotton canvas pants are still casual and comfortable yet dressy enough for all areas of a yacht club. If you really want to show your love of nautical dressing, consider wearing a fun Embroidered Pant!

Or you can opt for solid pants but add some nautical flair with an embroidered belt. Classic summer staples like Seersucker and Madras Patches will make you the talk of the Club, in a good way!

For those chilly sea breezes and evenings, a quarter zip pullover wards off the cool air while keeping you stylish and casual.

It's a good idea to keep a sportcoat and a few ties in your closet just in case the yacht club you're visiting requires it. Opt for a fun all over embroidered jacket, or a Madras Patchwork style to really up your game.

Kids' clothing should conform to the same yacht club rules as established for grown-up guests. If you really want your son to look cute, consider dressing him in the same matching outfit as dad.

Whether you're looking to make a splash with yacht club attire or just want to look good on the boat or while meeting with friends, we have the seaside looks that you'll look and feel wonderful in for men, women, and children.