5 Modern Ways to Wear Nautical Style This Summer

Nautical Style is one of my favorite ways to dress in summer because it always gives a chic, youthful vibe. But even a classic look like this needs an update now and then. Here are five modern ways to wear nautical this summer to look ship shape.

Coral Linen Jacket | white cropped jeggings | or cropped straight leg jeans | sandals | straw tote bag | striped tee |sunglasses

Coral Linen Jacket & White Cropped Jeans

White cropped jeans make a great starting point for a summer outfit.  They keep you cool, highlight the slimmest part of your legs -your ankles, and are more modern looking than capris. They’re also perfect for showing off a cute pair of sandals!

I’m wearing Talbots white cropped jeggings. Jeggings look like jeans but are snug around the ankle like leggings. If you don’t like them hugging your ankles, you can wear Talbot’s cropped, straight leg jeans which are a tad looser, but just as nice.  Note: I’m usually a size 6, but with Talbots jeans I always size down one to a 4 because I find they fit slightly big.

My striped tee with the pretty ruffle around the neckline adds a feminine touch and looks sharp with this bold, coral linen jacket. It’s super relaxed with a sporty drawstring hem. I like to roll up the sleeves for a casually elegant look.  Linen is always so classy in summer and more popular than ever, thanks to the Coastal Grandma look that has been trending.

Back to that ruffle neckline. Do you see how it draws attention to my shoulders and makes them look broad? My shoulders look wide and my hips look narrow, but that’s just an illusion. I have hips! You wouldn’t know it, but the horizontal stripes, the ruffle across the neckline, and the skinny, tapered, cropped pants widen my top half and visually narrow it.

To play up the nautical theme, I’ve accessorized my outfit with this beachy straw tote, which I picked up at The Drop on Amazon. The rope sandals were from Talbots last year, but these are similar in style.

I like wearing metallic sandals with cropped pants because they make you look taller. This light gold is close to my skin color and makes my legs look lovely and long. Now, if I had worn a coral or black sandal to match my top, it would have shortened my legs because these colors create a big contrast between my skin color and the color of my jeans. These colors create a break that shortens my legs. It’s right. Metallic is just better, for me, at least.

Here we go—a cheesy pair of sunglasses to celebrate. I love these and pull them out every July holiday weekend. Did you know I live on Lake Ontario, and the U.S. is just an hour and a half away? I can wave to New York State across the lake (LOL!).

Striped side tie sundress(similar) | (similar 2) | Crochet espadrilles (similar) Crochet Espadrilles| sunglasses

Striped Side Tie Sundress

O.k. Here we go with the second outfit, which I love so much! I can’t resist a simple sundress with a little twist at the waist. This one is darling. It’s not too bare, but it’s very light and cool. The length is perfect, and the print is so perky and modern. (By the way, I’, 5’7″ and size 6)

I’m wearing it with crochet espadrilles, which have a summery vibe. Have you had a chance to read my recent post about the crochet trend? You can see these up close there and learn more about how to wear anything crochet this summer.

And that’s it! You’re all set. Add a pair of earrings and a small bracelet; you’re all set!

linen tie front shirt  |  white skirt  blue & white skirt| white sneakers | straw bag | sunglasses

Denim Tie Front Shirt, Short Skirt

One more look, girlfriends! It’s been ages since I wore a skirt as short as this, but my legs aren’t bad, so what the heck!

The cute boating print on this canvas A-line skirt called to me, and I had to have it. As for the top, I’ve always wanted a denim shirt, but couldn’t find the right one. Many seemed heavy and masculine. This is a very lightweight slub denim, and it feels more feminine than most due to the sassy front tie.

I love the idea of mixing denim and print, and, of course, cute lace-up statement sneakers are the perfect accessory to wear with skirts and dresses this summer! I’m so glad. I’m over heels for the most part!

I bought my half-moon straw bag on Amazon, and I’m surprised it isn’t in tatters, considering I’ve used it so much since last summer. It’s just a handy thing to have to make an outfit look and feel natural and summery.

There’s the look! I’m ready to get on board and set sail!

 linen shirt| chambray shirt | white cropped jeggings | white cropped straight leg jeans | woven faux leather bag | pink knit shoes |sunglasses

White Jeans, Denim Tie Front Shirt

I just wanted to mention that you can also wear this top with white jeans. It looks pretty cute. Some girls are dead set against wearing short skirts, even in summer, so this is an alternative. The pants and shirt are plain, so I added some color and texture to them.

The shoes, for example, are knit (very comfy), and this pale pink color makes the outfit come alive.

The bag? It’s fabulous. I got it at Amazon. It’s a bestselling woven faux leather tote. It comes in over a dozen colors, but I liked this buttery beige because it goes with everything. This bag is so soft and pliable. I took it on my last trip because it holds so much, and when you need to stuff it under your airline seat, it still looks great afterward!

Are you shopping the July 4th Holiday Sales?

So there you go! If you’re looking for more nautical outfit ideas I have another red, white, and blue post you may want to check out! Find more outfits to wear on the Fourth of July!

Meet the author

Deborah Boland

Deborah Boland is the founder of Fabulous After 40 and a certified image consultant with decades of experience in fashion and personal styling. She brings a modern, refined perspective to getting dressed — helping women look polished, confident, and effortlessly modern.

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