summer yacht party outfit

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Attending A Boat Or Yacht Party? Try One Of These 8 Chic Outfits

If you have no idea what to wear to a boat or yacht party, check out this helpful guide for the best outfit ideas and tips on dress code.

White boating outfit with a white cut-out dress a cardigan and a Loewe sun hat

If you tend to vacation around coastal towns, chances are that you will be invited to a boat party one weekend or another. Whether it’s a luxurious yacht soiree, a casual boat gathering, or a glamorous sailing affair, you’re in for a great time. But as you embark on this nautical adventure, one question looms large: What should you wear?

Dressing appropriately for such events requires a delicate balance between comfort, functionality, and, perhaps most importantly, style. With the shimmering sea as your backdrop, you want to look effortlessly chic without trying too hard. To help you navigate your boat or yacht party in style, we have curated this guide on what to wear to a boat or yacht party, ensuring you can make a grand entrance and set sail in style.

Chic Boat Party Outfits

1. linen, cotton and tencel dresses.

We highly recommend wearing lightweight clothes made from natural fibers like linen, tencel and cotton for your boat or yacht day trip. All of them are highly breathable, allowing air circulation and preventing you from feeling overheated in the sun or during energetic activities onboard.

In addition to this, they have great moisture-wicking properties, which means that any sweat or water on your clothes quickly evaporates, keeping you cool and dry.

While you can opt for any colors you want, light colors are especially popular in the heat of the sun, as well as nautical colors like light blue and navy, which echo the color scheme of open waters around you.

Recreate This Look

Reformation

Cami Linen Dress

$148 at Reformation

Kerrigan Linen Dress

$218 at Reformation

60mm Gradient Rectangular Sunglasses

$334 at Nordstrom

2. Wide Leg Pants

Chic yacht party outfit with white pants and a black tank top

Wide-leg pants are our favorite bottoms to wear during the summer, and boat parties are no different.

These elegant pants can be dressed up with elegant tops and a designer party bag for a chic look, or more casually with your favorite bikini top, a crop top, or a linen tank top. For ultimate comfort, stick to light colors and breathable materials like tencel, linen, and rayon.

L’Academie

by Marianna Lida Tank Top

$148 at Revolve

Alex Linen Pant

$198 at Reformation

Jaydin Slide Sandal

$70 at Nordstrom

3. Swimsuit + Shorts

Casual boat party outfit with beige shorts and a white button-up shirt

To make taking a dip in the ocean easy and effortless, why not layer a pair of shorts over your swimsuit? Using the swimsuit or bikini as a top means you just need to take off your shorts when you want to jump into the sea – also, there are so many cute swimsuits that you just don’t want to cover up.

This shiny cocoa brown swimsuit has been styled with tailored camel shorts and a white cardigan to protect your shoulders from the sun.

Jenna One-Piece Swimsuit

$180 at Nordstrom

Good American

Shine Rib V-neck Cardi

$149 at Revolve

Pleated High Waist Trouser Shorts

$49.50 at Nordstrom

4. Matching Sets

All white boat party outfits for him and her

A matching set is an easy, fail-safe way to create a cute summery outfit that is perfect for a boat party. This matching set is all-white and includes a strapless, bandeau-style top, a midi skirt, and a cropped bolero-style cardigan, but you could go for any smart and chic matching set that perfectly suits your personal style.

Finish with sandals to slip on and off and sunglasses – keep jewelry to a minimum in case you take a dip in the sea.

Sora Strapless Top & Shrug

$38.40 at Nordstrom

Poplin Maxi Skirt

$278 at Revolve

Triomphe Logo Oval Acetate Sunglasses

$510 at Neiman Marcus

5. Crochet Dresses

Crochet dresses are super stylish at the moment and will help you keep cool during the warmer weather too – just what you need if you are heading to a boat party.

The open weave of a crochet dress means they are great for keeping cool, plus, there are loads of different crochet dresses to choose from so you can easily find one that suits you. They also look incredible layered over a swimsuit and you just need a pair of sandals to finish the outfit.

x REVOLVE Guinevere Crochet Dress

$650 at Revolve

Odella Crochet Dress

$298 at Revolve

Out of This Shell Earrings

$44 at Nordstrom

6. Opulent Silk

Blue satin maxi skirt with a blue sequin crop top

If the boat party you are heading to is in the evening, then opulent silk and satin are exactly what you need. A silk or satin skirt is a great way to start a sophisticated outfit, then just style with a t-shirt or cropped top for a relaxed look or a sparkling sequined top for something a little more glam.

This shimmering blue silk maxi skirt looks incredible with the blue sequin crop top, both of which shine under the night sky lights for a striking look.

The New Arrivals by Ilkyaz Ozel

Monique Top

$430 at Revolve

Silk Midi Skirt

$495 at Neiman Marcus

7. Light, neutral tones

Chix yacht party outfit with white wide-leg pants a beige bikini and a Miu Miu raffia bag

Sticking to light, neutral tones is always a good idea during the summer months, and will perfectly suit a boat party aesthetic. White, ivory, and light beige shades will reflect the sunlight, helping you to stay cool.

This chic neutral outfit includes a beige bikini top, a white cotton skirt, black and gold sunglasses, gold starfish earrings, and a summery raffia bag to create a stunning, refined outfit that is perfect for heading out on a boat.

Dylan Bikini Top

$145 at Revolve

Raffia-effect crochet fabric tote bag

$1,650 at Miu Miu

8. Figure-Hugging Long Dresses

For ultimate elegance, go for a figure-embracing maxi dress. Not only are they more practical than sorter dresses that may get down by the wind, but they’re also more glamorous as you glide along the deck.

While a voluminous flowy dress will look amazing blowing in the wind, it can get annoying very quickly. For daytime affairs, opt for a casual rib-knit dress, and for fancier yacht parties or black tie events, a long cocktail dress with more striking designs.

Cotton Citizens

Marbella Maxi Dress

$195 at Revolve

Lambskin Quilted Mini Top Handle Vanity Case With Chain

$2,945 at Fashionphile

Alexis Bittar

Molten Ribbon Hoop Earrings

$145 at Nordstrom

Other Essentials To Bring To A Boat Party

1. your swimsuit.

Firstly, it’s not a boat party without swimming! Don’t forget to bring your favorite bathing suit with you.

2. Suncream

It also pays to protect your skin from the sun, so pack your sunblock in your bag. A good sunblock should be at least SPF 30, since SPF 30 can block about 97% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. Make sure to reapply your suncream every 2 hours you spend in the sun for optimal protection.

3. Protective Accessories

It goes without saying, but don’t attend a boat party without a good pair of sunglasses . The sun is especially strong in the open sea as it reflects off of water, and you don’t want to spend your day squinting.

In addition to sunglasses, also consider bringing a stylish hat that protects your face and scalp. Whether you opt for a wide-brimmed hat, a floppy sun hat, a straw hat or a sporty cap, it serves as a barrier against the sun, reducing the risk of sunburn and discomfort.

4. Beach Towel

Some yachts and bigger boats will be equipped with beach towels for guests, but this is not a given. If you think you’ll be going in for a dip, pack a beach towel in your beach tote before you set off.

Now that we’ve gone over some of the best things to wear for yacht and boat parties, let’s also take a look at clothing to avoid.

What Not To Wear To A Boat Party

How you dress for a boat party is very different to what you wear on land. What looks good in a rooftop bar might not be appropriate for a yacht, so keep these things in mind when putting together your outfit:

1. High heels

Stilettos with a sharp heel are a bit of a hazard on a moving boat; not only are you less stable when wearing them, the heel itself can also get stuck in gaps or grates on the deck, which can damage your shoes.

To be on the safe side, opt for comfortable flat sandals, boat shoes, or espadrilles, or take your shoes off entirely!

If you’re attending a dressy occasion in the evening, consider wearing platform wedges that look polished but are easy to walk in.

2. Fabrics That Make You Sweat

Avoid fibers and materials like acrylic, polyester, denim, and spandex that will make you sweat, and silk, which has moisture-wicking properties, but will not hide sweat stains.

Instead, opt for breathable fibers like cotton, linen, rayon, viscose, jersey, chambray and tencel, especially if you’re attending a boat party during the daytime.

3. Skin Tight clothing (If you’re swimming)

If you know that you’ll be swimming, avoid wearing tight clothing, as there’s nothing more uncomfortable than having to put your tight clothes back on when you have wet skin. Also, what looks good dry might not look as great when it’s all soaked in water and sticking to your skin.

Opt for clothes that are loose enough that they won’t cling to you and that allow the wind’s breeze to flow through them. Alternatively, you can always bring a change of clothes if you have a tight outfit that you definitely want to wear on your boat ride.

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Amelia is the luxury fashion writer for Chic Pursuit, discussing all you need to know about designer brands as well as the top handbags, shoes, clothes, and jewelry so you can find the perfect new luxe piece to add to your wardrobe. She has previously studied for a BA at Central Saint Martins and MA at London College of Fashion in fashion history and can often be found fawning over gorgeous dresses in old Hollywood films, or browsing the fashion collection at the V&A in London.