Ahoy, mateys! Er, hello VFG members and friends! Welcome aboard this week’s Vintage Fashion Parade!
In 1846, Queen Victoria dressed her oldest son, Bertie (later King Edward VII), in a specially made outfit to match the sailors aboard the Royal Yacht. A painting of the young boy fitted out in a white cap, broad-collared pullover shirt, and bell-bottom pants caused such a sensation across Europe that affluent parents everywhere began to dress their own sons as cabin boys. Soon, everyone was wearing fashions styled after the uniforms of the British Royal Navy or the more casual look of French sailors. While men could get away with a simple jersey and straw boater hat, women were still corseted into gowns and frilly bonnets. Both, however, often wore the customary Breton stripes. Nautical Chic was born!
Today’s maritime looks, which are trending again for spring/summer 2025, can be a bit more laid-back and even include the rougher-looking work clothes of professional fishermen. Still, there are some constants: colors like deep navy or rich blue, crisp white, red, yellow, or tan accented with touches of gold cord and matched with horizontal stripes; iconic clothing items like sailor collars, bell-bottom pants, yellow mackintosh slickers, yacht club blazers, deck shoes, and fisherman sandals; and novelty prints that evoke seafaring life with ships, anchors, ship wheels, ropes and knots, or insignia. As one online blogger put it, anything that combines “the allure of the open sea with style and sophistication.”
For a deeper dive into the style, check out British fashion historian Amber Jane Butchart’s groundbreaking book Nautical Chic. And make sure to scroll down to see the vintage offerings of our VFG member sellers!
