A Guide to Timeless Yacht Attire
Packing for a vacation can be a logistical and stylistic challenge for anyone. Particularly when you’re preparing for life onboard a superyacht, where every occasion – from lounging on the sundeck to candlelit dinners at sea – demands a wardrobe that’s both effortless and elegant.
With the Cruise runway shows underway, the 2027 sartorial trends are now emerging. But the most considered yacht wardrobes are never built around what’s new. Instead, the focus is on what endures. Be it a well-cut linen shirt, a fluid silk dress or colourful swimwear that brightens up the trip, pieces must earn their place on board with versatility and quality that outlasts any season.
As the summer season approaches, these are the key considerations for curating timeless yacht attire.
DAY-TO-NIGHT YACHT ATTIRE
Swimwear Yacht Attire
Being at sea, swimwear will likely be the first thing guests put on when staying on a yacht. It may also, at many points during the day, constitute the entirety of their outfit – depending on how much time is spent sunbathing or swimming.
That makes it worth investing in. A sculptural one-piece, a printed swim short or a bikini in a block colour serve well as an anchor for the outfit, where a shirt or kaftan can be layered on top during meals or excursions to shore. Eres swimsuits are a great option, coming in nautical blues and sunny yellows. As is the Prada Jersey One-Piece, which has a contrasting colour seam. For swim shorts, Zegna’s vibrant printed offering provides a fun yet structured option, which transitions seamlessly from a jet ski to an aperitivo at a quayside bar.
Footwear Yacht Attire
Often on a yacht, it feels like footwear becomes a question of what not to wear as opposed to what to wear. Inevitably, as soon as guests step on board, their shoes are taken off and left at the stern, not to be thought about again until the tender pulls up to shore. The reason being that most yachts require non-marking soles so as not to damage the deck. Similarly, heels are often not permitted for the same reason. It is worth keeping this in mind when packing. Avoid anything with a dark or hard sole, and lean instead toward canvas, rope or soft rubber.
Espadrilles, for this reason, are an obvious choice. Aquazzura’s Seafarer are presented in the style of a boat shoe-espadrille hybrid, featuring colourful beaded laces. For more chic and understated sandals, look to the Italian-crafted collections of Fabiana Filippi where neutrals are at the forefront of each design. Crockett & Jones’ latest travel collection offers more of a loafer-looking version with a boat shoe feel with its Richmond 2 model. For something more elevated to wear to dinner, a leather sandal with a soft rubber sole is the answer. Hermès’ Oran is the perennial choice for women, while Tod’s Nuovo Gommino offer a clean, minimalist option for men.
Casual Wear Yacht Attire
Away from the water, guests require a certain level of chic comfort when considering casual wear. The key here is to lean into natural fabrics like linen or cotton, which breathe in the heat while still looking refined. A linen shirt works for everyone – be it an oversized Bottega Veneta embroidered iteration or the signature Loro Piana Arizona version.
A maxi dress is an essential for women looking to stay cool without sacrificing an ounce of elegance. Chanel’s CoCo Beach collection is bountiful in this respect, with a flowing, lightweight two-tone summer take on the house’s signature knitwear. A timeless option for men is a Lacoste cotton polo shirt, paired with a GANT tailored linen trouser. Ultimately the aim is to curate a wardrobe that moves with the day rather than against it.
Evening Wear Yacht Attire
Evenings on a yacht tend to be where guests can be most expressive or adventurous with their dressing. The shift from day to night carries a specific energy and an onboard wardrobe should reflect that. Black tie isn’t essential (unless guests are hosting an event that requires it), but it’s still a good idea for men to pack a lightweight suit such as the Canali beige linen suit or a navy number like the Hackett Wool Stretch Twill Suit. Women, on the other hand, can take note from the recent Dior collection with the Dioriviera long belted floral shirt dress made in a silk twill blend.
In the end, the best yacht wardrobes are not built in a hurry – they are edited over time and appear at ease with wherever the tide takes them.
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