The National Martime Museum from the 25th July will be celebrating all things nautical, a theme used probably more repeatedly than others, in their exhibition ‘Sailor Chic’. It will look at how fashion has been naval-inspired for over 150 years with pieces from Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, John Galliano and Yves Saint Laurent to the older archive pieces like Queen Victoria’s son’s sailor suit. ‘Sailor Chic’ will examine how Britain’s identiy as a maritime nation has infiltrated various areas of popular culture, be it film, stage, music, catwalk or high street. The Imperial War Museum has a similar exhibition about the theme of Camoflage but seeing as I’m more likely to do sailor stripes as opposed to camo-print, I’m thinking this would be a better option for me to go check out.
Sailor Style Cap worn by Margot Fonteyn // Striped Jersey and Bell Bottoms
This is a theatrical naval-inspired costume from 1887. On a non-navy note, strangely, the same kind of high waisted shorts are de rigeur in London at the moment. Who knew they had origins from so long ago. I’m thinking if Topshop came out with some Union Jack ones, some young guns will pair them over opaque tights and wear them in an ironic ‘British Pride’ way.
If we don’t look at the nautical theme as just another thing in fashion that gets re-used and re-hashed over and over again, for me, it’s a staple summer look that I like to break out with, regardless of what has been going on at the catwalks. For a start, navy as a colour has a lot more depth than black so in that respect I wear a lot more navy anyway. Secondly, it’s practically childsplay adding anything naval themed. A simple sailor’s top like the one Cassie from Skins wears (I like how it has the right level of bagginess) will suffice . I also like the idea of hinting at the attire that women adopted during the 1920’s-30’s when travelling at sea which was what I was getting at when I bought this dress on the right. Nautical may come and go on the catwalk round-ups but I’m prepared to be off-trend and wear it whenever I feel like looking to suggest ‘obedience, order, bravery and loyalty but also free-spiritedness, independence and rebellion’ (these are the things that naval-inspired wear apparently represent according to the NMM). So I’m pretty much wanting to suggest one or two of things at any given time.
I absolutely adore your dress! where in the world did you find that and the jacket you’re wearing with it? it’s amazing looking!
Speaking about nautical, I don’t know why but I always enjoy Cruise collections. I think they’re refreshing, like they tell you you’re in summer 😉
Well have to agree with alex! What a cute little dress! I love nautical. It takes me back to the eighties, where I wore the prettiest little navy dress on my school picture, with a little bob and a pony (oh yes the eighties) I was 3 years old or so, but it’s still my mom’s fav pic ever 🙂 (wish I still was that cute ;))
i like to pair nautical with huge golden chain necklaces!
Susie, that top is fabulous!! I would buy it in a heartbeat!
I like that the nautical sailor chic look is all about that sense of ease and that carefree sort of mood!
Susie – I think you’re missing the most obvious influence – Japanese schoolgirl 🙂
I have a genuine naval top with long sleeves that I got in a charity shop in Camden (looks a lot like Cassie’s) and when I’m wearing it, I can barely restrain myself from shouting Kawaii!!!
i absolutely adore the outfit on the right, way to go! i suggest a waistbelt with the one on the left 😉
♥ +x&o’s!
Yeah, the naval trend is pretty much ongoing for me. I have sailor striped tops in sweater, tank, and wrap form and am a big sucker for anchors even tho they’ve been used to death.
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