Are You Wearing The Right 2019 Colors And Patterns For Your Classic Boat?

Red goes with everything

Well as the season is about to get roaring into full speed, we thought we may need to have a refresher on propper wardrobe for your boating season.  Here is the good news, it hasn’t changed in decades for all of us. It’s the rest of the fashion forward planet that has changed. But here is a reminder. After all, its better to look good than feel good!

Old ratty work shirts are always cool.

Chain stitched!

Okay, you don’t have to wear your pants quite that high. but the red and white is cool, and LOVE the matching scarf of Babs!

So why am I bringing this up? Today before we are going out for the weekend I was letting our friends know of a series of approved colors and styles that are approved for riding in the boat. A graphic standards of sort. Those of you that work for large corporate companies know of this. Approved Logo use, approved colors and such. Why should the boat be any different? It’s a reflection of your personal brand after all. You know the one. you’re that guy on the lake/river with the old boats. WARNING, you may wind up alone if you actually pay attention to this! But you will at least know if asked. A dress code of sorts.

Accessorize your vintageness.

So, where to start.

ALWAYS match the period of your boat to the style that you wear. I AM NOT talking about vintage stuff. That’s costume stuff and you look like a Star Trek person.  I am talking color and pattern. For example. We have a bright red interior. Then, NO EARTH TONES! Primary colors are best.  So in Wecatchem’s case. We have approved Yellow as a secondary color, and Blue AND white, not just white, or just blue. They MUST be together. No off whites, they clash with the white deck stripes. White alone is fine, as is White with Yellow and a small bit of red.

It’s kinda of a stripes red white blue thing.

Shoes. Deck shoes! No business shoes, sneakers. UNLESS Keds. And no, NO, NO, Rubber Clogs. You look like a dork in those, and after a week, you will slide all over the place.

NOPE, NADA, NO, NO, NO!

Sunglasses, OK we have covered this before. No day glow mirror crap. Kills the look right away. Take them back to Walmart. Oh Snap! I am trying to channel a E fashion reporter now.

Only Dave Bortner can do this.

Love my plaid shoes!

Pants. Depending on the boat, always kackies, sometimes jeans, Navy blue kacki things. Maybe white. BEFORE labor day and only if you are in a Riva, named Chad and wear a pink shirt. BTW, Dave Bortner is a brand unto himself and exempt from all this.

These are cool.. as props, but they look strange on many people.

The Ole poop hat is one of my faves

Hats. OK this one is tough. And just be careful. Color is key, and graphics on the front say it all. Those big floppy hat things you get at Lake Dora are OK, ish. And I get they cover alot of stuff, and for my sanity have worn mine in the heavy sun. But its like those huge grandpa sunglasses that go over your glasses. It’s just a bit.. Cliche. So, maybe a cowboy hat? Its at least a look. Yeee HA!

This shirt made me itch!

So today, what are your approved colors and fashion tips? No banana hamick on board? Wife beaters? I am sure you have some photos we all would love to not see!

 

17 replies
  1. Capt. Cranky
    Capt. Cranky says:

    I thought a Woody Boater t-shirt and varnish stained shorts…along with ratty canvas sneakers were the official uniform of the wooden-heads? Does this mean I have to update???

  2. Matt
    Matt says:

    Varnish stains are always in! Canvas sneakers with a whole in them is timeless! All fashion Do’s

  3. tparsons56
    tparsons56 says:

    Definitely cargo shorts, navy blue or khaki, loose fitting t-shirt or button down oxford, any old soft baseball hat that’s handy, aviator sunglasses and most importantly boat shoes. The boat shoes have to be properly broken in, however, with at least some paint, varnish or oil on them.
    My sister in law asked the simple question “Do your shoes have to be as old as your boat?’ The answer is no but they should be as close as possible.

  4. Bilge Rat
    Bilge Rat says:

    “Its not how you feel, it’s how you look”

    (and to another woodyboater) “you look marvelous”.

  5. Tim Robinson
    Tim Robinson says:

    It doesn’t matter how good a skier you are as long as you look good in the lift lines. It’s all about the coolness factor.

  6. m-fine
    m-fine says:

    I am not all that strict, just a few simple rules. No shoes, no bare feet! I require clean white socks, clean white gloves. Clean white pants and shirts made with 100% cotton or linen. No exposed skin that might touch the brightwork or upholstery artificial fabrics and no colors that might hide dirt or grit. AND NO SUNSCREEN OR BUG SPRAY within 50 feet of the varnish. Other than that I am flexible.

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