Again (?) about your dressing habits and etiquette as Long-Term sailors

[DMCantor]

The only hard and fast rule is that whatever I wear must pass the sniff test. Of course, nudity plus an occasional dip in the ocean meets this criterion.

[ArmyDaveNY]

Once can never be overdressed. James Bond was in a tux in the desert and he looked good. On the other hand, he did have Barbara Bach with him. Even I would look good with her next to me, well, perhaps good is too strong of a word.

I usually bring at least one suit or blazer with me just in case I get invited to something. It is better to have and not need than to need and not have. After all, who wants to end up like Joe Pesci in My Cousin Vinny?

[sailorchic34]

Hum....Lets see.... No stockings or socks aboard, No dresses or evening wear. I do have one pair of dress shoes aboard, though not too dressy and have not worn them in years. Most of the time I have flipflops when on land (so rare) or bare feet aboard.

and as I have a rather lovely latex allergy, I only have one bra aboard... somewhere.

In public I dress in clean clothing. Aboard I don't even worry about it. Plus it's California and not so stuffy a state. I avoid the stuffy bits anyway.

[Paul Kelly]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Old army truck been used since Napoleon was a boy.

For shirts hang on a coat hanger in the saloon and give it a light puffy spray bottle squirt. Just like a fine mist.

Old army truck? Where on your boat can you fit an old army truck? And surely the tyres leave unsightly marks on your whites.

[TheThunderbird]

I must admit that a nice, proper outfit helps and raises up spirit and attitude :-)

At times, the mental costs to have it all ready made, rolled up, clean..is just demanding (space, time, care are required

I think partner is much helpful, by acting as a mirror for our conscience

[sailorboy1]

The nicest shirts I have on the boat are regular polo type shirts. I have 3 pair go ashore shorts, 3 wear till they fall apart shorts, a pair of swim trunks, 3 pair white socks, 6-8 tee shirts, 3 moisture wicking tee shirts (going to get more of these), probably 10 pair iof underwear, 2 pair of jeans (one pair with and without holes) and one pair of khaki long pants. Have 2 pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals.

In the past 14 months I have worn long pants twice. Once in Nov in South Carolina when it just got too cold for shorts (pissed me off) and the khaki pair for an hour when I checked into the Bahamas.

[Huskybeer]

Why dress differently for the proper occasions than when you were a landlubber? Some style is always appreciated

[SV Bacchus]

On board nude to casual, boxers, tee-shirts & shorts. For going ashore 2 collared button-ups, 1 pair of Khakis and a couple pair of dressy, or at least nicer, shorts. Flip-flops, Skechers for the feet and finally, 1 suit with LS shirt, tie, dark socks and dress shoes because, well, like Mark says "you just never know".

[goat]

Naked, board shorts, or wet weather gear when sailing. Cargo shorts, t-shirts and Tevas on land. Sunglasses, sometimes a hat. Shaven and washed most of the time. I've got 6 pairs of board shorts, and four cargos, long pants buried away somewhere, and a couple of button down shirts that are in stand by. This goat is quite the clothes horse. What is that "tie" thing of which you speak?

[Auspicious]

Offshore, and sometimes docking, briefs not boxers. YMMV. I have pictures unfortunately. *grin*

Originally Posted by sailorchic34

Hum....Lets see.... No stockings or socks aboard, No dresses or evening wear.

To each their own. Suit/shirt/tie/socks nice shoes and LBD and shoes.

As noted by others, to do otherwise means passing on nice opportunities (great dinners with cool people), obligations (funerals), etc. Something decent for interactions with officialdom makes a big difference in your experience.

[phydeaux]

Shoes (even if canvas), socks, a pair of OK or better trousers, a pair of OK or better shorts, blazer, and one real shirt. You can always roll a tie as well. You will find a club, restaurant, church or occasion that you'll really want to enter. The beard and/or pony tail is indicative of an attitude, not moral or social superiority, so be able to clean it up consistent with the local standards. I know from experience that it's worth it.

[Huskybeer]

I totally agree.
Once you are out there you will be disappointed to have missed great opportunities

[robbinsfamily]

I live in swimwear and shave once a week. But we all dress up for dinner ashore...or I'd look to feral!

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Paul Kelly

Old army truck? Where on your boat can you fit an old army truck?

😡😡😡 My spell checker and I are having a fight. It's winning.

"Trick". An old Army trick...

☺️

1st World problem 😂😂😂😂🤣😂

[TheThunderbird]

I managed to realize a cupboard, by adding two hinged doors to a Cabin's corner, for long coats...

One lower stowage was fitted with wooden rims, and is totally dedicated to shoes (canvas/leather/other).

I had advantage in being able to Separate working/expendable cloths from the OK ones.
Heavy sweaters are packed in bags and help insulation in summer, being put just beneath the ceilings.

I find it useful to shortening long pants with scissors, an inch under the knee. Handy by summer, good with heavy socks in winter, and very comfy/apt when kneeing on floor boards.

Grooming is important, and a pleasure too, even though there is always a reason to postpone it (sleep, tiredness, water usage, cold, engine noise....)

Finally, the F factor: no women will accept anything below standard even from a salt man just having crossed the ocean. THERE IS NO DISCOUNT. They see you ashore, and do NOT realize where we come from....

that said, fighting the salty smell of the sea+fuel is not easy at all (I had women severely sniffing some exquisite garments.., checking my shoes, examining socks...)., so using perfume is not an option :-)

*

A surprise: no one mentioned jumpers, sweaters.. too casual (in winter, ofc) ?
Sporty jackets do not seem to meet elegance requirements?

Nor Long Sleeve sweaters in fine satin cotton seem to have a way (Steve Job style)

Bottom Line:even naked at the sheets, but mostly appropriate when shooting at social acceptance, town life, people mix.

In the end, pro sailors of the past spent days at grooming up immediately before landing.