Women's Nautical Clothes for Summer 2009
Red, White and Blue Fashion Trends
Exclusive looking yacht and cruise wear is always in
fashion, and it's quite clear that along with the staying power of
ethnic trends, nautical military is also one of the enduring
fashion trends of the noughties.
Red, white and blue combinations with a European slant suits
the notion of Saucy Sailor Girls, Breton Babes, Maritime and the
Yachting Club Med lifestyle. These are all the terms being used to describe a recurring
nautical based trend
that comes around every spring with a fresh combination of a
brighter blue as well as traditional darkest navy blue and white, with red or tan touches.
This page looks at some of
the nautical inspired blue, white and red fashion apparel and accessories
that are everywhere. These
items are for sale
this 2009 from UK stores and online services.
One
point to observe is that nautical fashion for 2009 provides a
choice of two blues - dark navy blue or
bright
palace blue.
This seafaring fashion look is also frequently reinvented as part of
ship ahoy, Rule Britannia, or USA cheerleaders. The wide striped
halter tankini swimwear shown left from Tesco, should be
affordable for most women. The swimwear fits the
traditional naval theme in the most appropriate way, but
in this new brighter
blue a favourite colour of 2009.
Left - Florence & Fred blue and white stripe tankini £13. Spring Summer 2009 F&F Womenswear
at Tesco.
Right - Office Spring Summer 2009 Ladies Collection - Red and
blue stud 'Hold Me Back' Gladiator sandal £65. The red and blue
modern gladiator sandals have a jaunty cheerleader air and
youthful touch.
Nautical clothes this year have more fun, and these sandals show
how designers are exploring different facets of the maritime
them. While more red and white and blue items are shown
further down this page, our immediate thought of nautical
clothes is generally
one of crisp sharply defined looks, such as these jackets below.
Classic navy and white double breasted jackets
are recognisable for that authoritarian and severe air; yet in
the summer of 2009 this jacket also conveys that smart, crisp and ship shape
appearance. Winter looks so
often follow
the more utilitarian, longer, warm woollen, pea coat style, but for spring and summer
shorter jacket and blazer versions are more the norm.
Sharply smart, the naval look jacket always has something of the uniform
about it, which lends an air of importance, smartness and a 'take
me seriously' edge. This is the sort of outfit that gets
a sharper service from assistants and respect from onlookers.
Shown left is one of the lowest cost high street offerings
that I
have found. Again it's from Tesco's fashion range called the
'Florence and Fred Spring Summer 2009 Collection'.
Near Left - Double breasted navy jacket £15,
F&F white high waisted trousers £15,
F&F black lock
frame bag £15.
All from Spring Summer 2009 F&F Womenswear at Tesco.
For sheer fashionable fun in 2009, women's clothes take inspiration from catwalk
military. The runway model's jacket left is clearly inspired by Bonaparte's uniform.
Observe how this House of Balmain washed out denim jacket is trimmed with navy and fine piping.
River Island have also picked up the catwalk look, to create
an ivory cream military jacket with its
braid and button decoration.
Interestingly, each of these military nautical looks is teamed with white. The Balmain white jeans
are distressed at the knee and in
credit crunch
times this is one look so very easy to copy yourself with a
little home customising.
The navy and white scarves worn by the girl above
right are such an easy way for any cash strapped young woman to update
to this season's nautical looks and stay right on budget.
In fashion
history terms, designers have reworked the hussar trend
countless times this decade. Yet the military look has retained
freshness each year and more importantly, customers love the
look making the latest naval versions a trend maintaining classic
longevity.
Notice how
shoulders are widening, and sleeves are being worn
pushed up the arm. Sleeve and arm interest is creating a new
erogenous zone. The effect has to be better than the muffin top!
Above Right and Shoulder Detail - Balmain jacket available at
Harvey Nichols.
Far Right - Cream military jacket £40 Therapy, Blue and white
striped scarf £10 Therapy, White broderie dress £30 by Therapy -
Young Fashion Spring Summer 2009 all from House of Fraser.
The sharply trimmed navy and white jacket left is the
simplest way to get this crisp look started. Teamed with
existing navy or white pants or jeans, or even
the latest new
pants shape you can walk straight into the nautical look.
Left - Phase Eight Spring Summer 2009 Navy Cotton White Trim
Jacket £99.00.
Centre - Wallis Exclusives SS09 Stripe Blazer £40/€60, White
vest £10/€15, Blue denim skirt £30/€45.
Right - Stripe Blazer T59 1494J in store April £49.50 - Marks &
Spencer Spring Summer 2009.
But the nautical look is given a much more summertime appeal when the
positive/negative take is employed.
For
example, here a white and navy stripe
fabric is trimmed with navy braid creating a smart, but more
informal appearance for what might be a hot business day.
The way you wear a garment and style your
outfit affects the end look. This narrow jacket and white
trouser combo has a laid back air. You can achieve this
look by wearing the jacket in a more carelessly un-buttoned
style. When teamed with an irreverent fun T-shirt vest
tank top, and jaunty trilby hat, a jacket and trousers can
transform into a casual style.
Betty Barclay Spring/Summer
2009 - The outfit of white trousers in an ultra-fashionable
Marlene Dietrich style and feminine blazer is cool and casual.
The white decorative seams in particular accentuate the relaxed
look, and emphasise the slim line styling. The white ribbed top
with its cheeky print adds a sporty touch.
Blazer ₤170,
Top UK ₤30, Trousers UK £105 - all Betty Barclay.
Whilst the short and cropped jackets are still in abundance this
summer, the newer boyfriend blazer is a longer line 'cover up'.
This classic boyfriend blazer near left is from Marks and
Spencer in a wide range of
sizes.
Near Left - Long boyfriend style navy sailor blazer £75 from Per
Una Spring Summer 2009 Collection at Marks & Spencer from April.
For an easy on-trend way to work the boyfriend blazer, add
an 80's vibe by rolling up the sleeves and show the lining.
Contrast linings earn extra brownie points.
Left - The River Island gladiator shoes are worth a closer
look! Catwalk calling!
Luella oversized blazer £49.99,
Papercut work dress £59.99,
Claire bondage heels £89.99 .
All from River Island Clothing Co. Ltd., Spring Summer
Collection.
If you have legs good enough for short skirts, then this
nautical dropped waist dirndl skirt will ease you through the summer. And if
your legs are less than perfect, consider the many options of
wearing it over longer visible net petticoats, over jeans, with
bold bright tights or other legwear.
But for ease of adapting existing outfits, a simple pair of
nautical inspired wedge shoes may be all you need.
Near Right - Dorothy Perkins Spring Summer 09 Cream border
stripe full nautical skirt £28/€44.
Right - NEXT Spring Summer 2009 - Womenswear Woven Super Wedges
£28/€42.
Following on from the stripe theme there are always several
styles of white and navy tops each summer, and 2009 is no exception.
Shown below are two simple even-stripe tops from French Connection and Matalan.
While both standard fare, the sailor
button decorated skirts and dark jeans are very much summer 2009.
The variety of scale within stripes also offers some
interesting contrasting tops, and many show negative/positive
graphic work.
Left - Matalan Catwalk Look - Sequin striped t-shirt £10
Nautical shorts £10 Lace heart tights £3.
Centre Left - Navy and white nautical stripe top £40, High
waisted denim Trousers £75, Black wedges £85, all French
Connection SS09.
Right - Wallis Exclusives SS09 Navy/White striped jumper
£30/€45, Jeans £30/€45.
This year roses and frills are a strong feature on women's
nautical clothes.
These two basic striped seafaring T-Shirt tops have been enlivened
with first a frill drape and secondly a rose appliqué motif.
Above Left - Per Una Spring Summer 2009 - Nautical stripe Top
£23 from Marks & Spencer.
Right - Phase Eight Spring Summer 2009 Stripe Flower T Shirt
£35.
Stripes come in many colours, but this year offers a
second bright blue as a change from navy-blue. There are
also many bright
striped garments in other colours, particularly red and white tops. All
give greater choice
for those who find navy and white too sombre.
Above Left - Boohoo.com - Dorothy striped puff
ball hem dress with belt and cap sleeves £20 Spring Summer 09.
Centre - Bonmarché Spring Summer Mixed Stripe Sweater - Also available
in Black/White & Blue/White. £20.
Right - Matalan Red and White striped casual top - Et Vous
cashmere blend striped jumper £18, SS09 Womenswear.
Beginning with naval accessories, several stores combine red
white and blue to create fun pieces suited to patriotic moments,
here are three with an English flavour.
My first thought when I saw the above items, was 'This is not yet
2012' when such accessories might come into their own as
patriotic Olympic statements for UK supporters. My second
thought was 'Prince
William is not getting married this year as far as I know!'
But
if you just want to fly the flag, even in an ironic way, these
pieces are great fun.
Two of the items here - the clutch bag and the oversized
T-shirt, highlight the fashion world's love affair with the
sequin this year. However, let's not forget golden studs which have also been
adorning bags now for several years. This bag makes use of
the Union Jack flag and studs. The shape reminds me of Fendi spy
bags.
Whilst these items are designed to be nautical you can mix
and match your own naval inspired outfits from the widest
range of red and bright blue garments and accessories through
the retail sector this season.
Easy straight shift dress, straight fitted double breasted
dress, or a simple easy to wear skirt - take your pick.
Far Left - Red shift dress by Hobbs Spring Summer 2009
Collection.
Centre Left - Blue dress by Aquascutum Spring Summer 2009.
Centre Right - White button dress - Marks & Spencer Spring Summer 2009 - In
store June £59 T50 5801.
Far Right - Blue Skirt with front pleat, £25 - in store
April-June Marks & Spencer Spring Summer 2009 - Ref T69
0445.
Accessorise with a bag or bold necklace. Gold chain handle
bags, as on the blue bag from Harvey Nichols below, are hot on trend and so is chunky statement jewellery like
this lovely blue necklace from Dior.
For something different try a patterned bag like this terrific
red spot bag below and from Dune.
Lotty Shoes £85 and Motty
handbag, £45 - Spring/Summer 2009 - Ladies & Accessories both
Dune.
Or opt for this divine rose clutch bag from Boden who say 'This
is an exquisitely luxurious clutch, completely enveloped in a
cluster of 100 % silken roses, which gently pops shut with a
satisfyingly expensive click.'
Boden rose clutch £79. Boden Red
Suede Corsage Wedges £79. It uses premium quality suede,
corsage decoration, cork heels and has a comfortable padded sole.
Perhaps the smallest most effective item you could add to
update your nautical wardrobe would be one of the many coloured
cuffs or bangles like these from the high street. Both of these
costume jewellery items are from Wallis.
Left Below - Wallis blue flower opaque stone clamp cuff £14 -
Wallis Spring Summer 09 Jewellery.
Below Right - Wallis red opaque round stone wide stretch cuff
bracelet £18 - Wallis Spring Summer 09 Jewellery.
Finally, add the blue touch with some accessories like these
shoes, from enclosed decorative wedges to cut outs shoes to a
blue and white sandal.
Left - Blue art deco wedge £64.99 River Island Clothing Co.
Ltd SS09 Hero Pieces.
Centre - Harvey Nichols - N Kirkwood Blue high heels sling-back
sandal shoe.
Right - Hobbs Spring Summer Footwear - Blue and white heel open
high Gladiator sandal shoe.
So with so much choice on offer take a fresh look at nautical,
blue red and white fashion trends for summer 2009.
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One
point to observe is that nautical fashion for 2009 provides a
choice of two blues - dark navy blue or
The Balmain white jeans
are distressed at the knee and in
The sharply trimmed navy and white jacket left is the
simplest way to get this crisp look started. Teamed with
existing navy or white pants or jeans, or even
For
example, here a white and navy stripe
fabric is trimmed with navy braid creating a smart, but more
informal appearance for what might be a hot business day.
Two of the items here - the clutch bag and the oversized
T-shirt, highlight the fashion world's love affair with the
sequin this year. However, let's not forget golden studs which have also been
adorning bags now for several years. This bag makes use of
the Union Jack flag and studs. The shape reminds me of Fendi spy
bags.
