And yet again, another season is upon us, bringing me to wonder, will the nautical, sailing inspired trends EVER die down?!
Though the focus shifts from season to season, the facts are clear. Nautical inspired styles pack a perpetual punch, and their force from season to season has not only staying power, but long term stability.
My thoughts turn to St James, the french company that inspired a million wanna be Coco Chanels in basic boat neck striped tops. Coco was inspired by fisherman, and that inspiration launched a million and one stripes; some with pearls, some w/ lace, but the underlying theme is always the same. A stripe doesn’t change it’s… well…
I received my St James shirt as a gift from my mom on my 18th birthday, and it’s still now, a staple of my wardrobe. Best kept simple, with a pair of rolled jeans, and flats, but for a twist, tuck it into a black skirt, or a white pleated mini.
Every season you can always find an easy, striped dress. This boat inspired staple is high end, low end, and pretty much ubiquitous. But this season’s bold color trend is taking that style one step further moving on from simple blue, and white, and moving into more vibrant mixes like pink and orange, gray and yellow, and blue and green.
This season however, nautical has turned away slightly from apparel. The stand out piece for this trend this spring /summer 2012 is definitely the boat shoe. Again, a shoe that until now, you could pretty much find anywhere if you were really looking for it.
But in a world where you need to draw attention to stand out, boat shoes have gotten a revamp. Glitter, bright colors, higher heels, and designer capsule collections.
I spotted the Milly for Top Sider collection last month, and my love of Milly, mixed with my nostalgia for my topsiders drove me right to the Topsider store in the Flat iron district. The shoe of choice; a boat shoe mixed with a platform heel, mixed with nautical, mixed with funk was so up my alley that my first thought was to buy the flowered print.
But my heart took a back seat, and my mind went for the simpler, more classic and very wearable tan pair which are sitting nicely in my box, with my sailboat dust bag, awaiting use.
Another standout this season? A bag I found in the same store; perfect for me in size, but I had to refrain. It’s made from actual sailboats, and perfect for a weekend getaway to Nantucket.
So complete with your striped dress, Milly topsider platforms, and weekender, time to sail out of Manhattan, and get on a boat. Don’t forget your flippy floppys.
Women's Authentic Original Platform Heel by Milly
$225.00- CLick here to buy
Sperry Top-Sider Large Tote
$99.99 on sale- click here
I also found this amazing website that specializes in all recycled sail bags, where not only can you purchase, but also recycle your own sails! Check out Seabags.com
Cute Striped Dress from Modcloth.com
Party at the Pier tunic dress- $39.99- click here to buy @ Modcloth.com
Get in on the trend with your own custom Charm bracelet with nautical charms, like the below, from my jewelry line, Beecharmer.
Nautical charm bracelet- price upon request; - and click here to see more charm sales
This bracelet is available for sale, or each individual charm to buy as well; and add to your own bracelet or necklace- Please email me with any interest – hot bracelet right on trend that sells for up to $300 at dept stores, so it’s a steal!
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