Yachting is a sophisticated hobby. It’s ever so tempting to bring out the high heels. But the last thing you need is to be tottering around on deck in any kind of swell, risking going overboard, especially when you’ve been enjoying a few glasses of the sparkly stuff. The same goes for the men – there’s a yachting dress code for a very good reason, and it’s all about safety at sea. Here’s what you need to know. 

Cool yacht share tips – What to wear on board your yacht 

Which shoes to wear on a yacht 

By all means, dress to suit your boat’s high style standards, but make sure your shoes won’t put you and others in danger. Deck shoes come highly recommended but any flat shoe style is better than heels. Luckily the trend for big, white, thick-soled flat footwear for women, worn with beautiful flowing dresses, is making life a lot easier for keen on-board fashionistas than the previous trend for towering six-inchers and dizzying wedges!  Avoid black-soled shoes to keep the deck looking its best, free from scuffs and marks.  

Boat shoes, AKA deck shoes, are ideal for men, perfectly smart-casual for day and evening wear and available in all sorts of materials including leather, suede, pleather and hybrid. They all come with soles that won’t leave nasty marks on the deck and a tough non-slip finish for safety. 

Staying safe from sunburn and heatstroke 

If you’re anything like our yacht syndicate members you’ll want to spend as much time as possible out in the sunshine, up on the deck. It makes sense to wear pale-coloured clothes that reflect the light rather than dark shades that absorb light to leave you feeling uncomfortably warm. 

Talking about shades… top-quality sunglasses offering really good protection against UV light are a must since the glittering water throws light around, potentially dazzling you to a dangerous degree. On board a yacht, whatever the weather, you need to see clearly for safety’s sake. 

The sunshine can be deceiving, especially when there’s a brisk sea breeze. A UV-protective hat with a wide brim will help keep you safe from sunburn and heatstroke as well as keeping the water’s glare out of your eyes, another good choice for better safety at sea. 

Floaty fabrics might send you floating into the ocean! 

Maxi dresses are gorgeous, a hot style trend that’s set to take us through another season and beyond. But a long dress made from floaty material can get caught up in ropes and chains, especially if there’s a breeze, so bear the styling in mind when planning your yachting wardrobe. Sleek and slinky dresses are probably safer than flowing, full styles. If you love floaty frocks, it helps to simply be aware of the risks. 

Essential cover-ups for evening fun

The last thing you want is to feel chilly on board after dusk. Bring cover-ups you can easily slip on and zip or button up to banish the breeze. If there’s any chance of rain, bring a waterproof just in case. Then you can enjoy the thrills of the open seas from the deck, even if it pours down. 

Bear in mind the storage space in your bedroom will be limited compared to home, making packing your clothing more of a tactical challenge than usual. Think about the conditions you might experience on the voyage and at your destination, packing something for every eventuality. Then the weather won’t catch you out.   

On-board clothing tips for children and dogs 

If you’re taking young children on board, the same tips apply to prevent sunburn and keep them safely out of the sea! You might want to add a life jacket too, for extra safety and security. 

When bringing your beloved dog on your adventures you’ll also want to make sure they’re safe from falling overboard. You can buy special doggy life jacket or a harness with special handles to attach a lead, good safety measures even when your dog is a good swimmer. If they’re particularly adventurous, keep them on a long lead.