Yes folks its time again for a Reality vs. Fantasy.
Ralph Lauren, Nautica, J Crew, Tony Burch, Michael Kors.
Everywhere you look these days, designers are showcasing nautical themed clothing and accessories. Ads showing young men and women dressed in great summer clothing, sandals, stripes, bracelets, hats and every other thing that will go flying off the department store rack. For those of you out there that haven't been sailing or lived close to a harbor where people are out using these personal sailboats, you might think or even dream that this is what sailing or coastal living is all about. Such a grand, well dressed affair. I get it - when I first moved to NYC all my friends in Denver and Phoenix were convinced that my life was just like Sex in the City. Can we picture me as one of the fabulous four women - where would I get the money, the clothes, the shoes, the apartment. Ok you get the idea.
So let me just burst that little bubble for you right now - that is not a true representation of sailors. At least not any that I have meet and definitely not how I look when I head out to sail. While I am only on my third or fourth time out, let me tell you, that all that fancy stuff would just get in the way. Sailing is hard work - more to come on that - it isn't just a sit back and steer as you drift over the waves. I am working and moving around A LOT while on board. So here is my list right now of top accessories for your sailing wardrobe:
- A Hat - And I am not talking one of those straw fedora types that looks so great with your blue and white striped boat shirt. Or the flimsy wide brimmed one that you wear on the beach in Mexico to look like the latest model. I want a hat with a brim to keep off the glare and that fits snugly so it won't blow a way when it gusts. Andrew has a fabulous clip that attaches to his ball cap to keep it from flying away. Another advantage of the Hat - it keeps my hair from flying all over and getting in my face. No amount of barrettes or hair bands could do it better.
- Sunscreen -- always a girl's best friend (or a guys for that matter). It is a must and I don't think that I really need to go into why. Although I have learned that I am allergic to something in certain sunblocks so I am looking for one that doesn't irritate my skin.
- Sunglasses - I don't want to be caught without them and since I am notorious for losing them, there are several pairs on the boat. Everyone has the pair and type that they prefer but right now any old pair will do. While sometimes I have a hard time using the binoculars with them on, for the most part they are saving my eyes.
- GLOVES - for me it is a sailing fashion must have. I know you are thinking so fashionable right? - HA. I am hauling a lot of lines and that is tough work. Blisters formed on the first day and I didn't do that much. So I wear gloves the entire time we are on the boat, helps me to be ready at any time. The pair I have now were on the boat when we bought it and are nothing special(in fact they are falling apart) but for right now they are working. I will be looking for new ones for next season. We will see if I can find some that will go with all my summer outfits. Perhaps some coordinating colors (the sarcasm is really rolling now). Let's not even talk about the glove tan lines I will be getting.
- Clothing - while I am sure some people could go sailing in anything and be fine, I find it works for me to be wearing older, loose fitting clothing. I get dirty and occasionally things rip. Like last week when Andrew caught my belt loop with the tiller and ripped a hole in my capris. So I am not setting any fashion trends on Sonador. Not that I think you should look like a total hobo, but come on - who is working the lines and hauling sails in their $300 Ralph Lauren outfit?
But thanks to Andrew and some fancy camera app I can look like I am in fashion while sailing. The black and white probably helps.
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| Maybe next year's summer line? |
