If you wouldn't wear it to dinner, don't wear it to the boat show. Actually, that might be a little too broad. If your spouse would be mad at you for wearing it to dinner, don't wear it to the boat show.
Board shorts and the first t-shirt you find might be good enough for a day on the water, but it's worth it to step it up a bit at your local boat show, especially if you're planning on networking or you're in the market for a new boat, or gear. We'll walk you through some easy ways to dress to impress.
Look Good, Feel Good
Whether you're at a boat show to network for your marine business or looking for some new gear, vendors and other professionals will dress for the occasion. Luckily, stepping up your outfit up doesn't take much and we've linked some great gear below to help get you started. A lightweight, comfortable polo, a nice pair of shorts that you've never had to scrub grease or fish guts off of and some comfy boat shoes or water sneakers can take your outfit to the next level and present better at the show.
What to Wear to a Boat Show: A Style Breakdown
Men's Styles
- Shirts: A lightweight polo or a short sleeve button up are great options. They'll keep you comfortable and looking great for the whole show.
- Pants: Classic chino style pants or 5 pocket pant are great options
- Shorts: Go for more tailored style shorts. Hybrid shorts are a great options since they're built to move and breathe all day.
- Shoes: A comfortable pair of boat shoes or water sneakers are great options. Just make sure they're comfortable enough for you to walk all day
- Hats: A trucker or baseball style hat will never look out of place at a boat show. Just make sure yours is clean and free of stains. You can also go for a sun hat on particularly sunny days to protect your ears and face from getting burned.
Women's Styles
- Shirts: A lightweight, button up shirt or a polo shirt are great options and will keep you comfortable all day
- Pants: Comfy capri style pants are great, especially on warm days. Go for full length if there's a chance of a cold breeze so you don't end up with cold ankles.
- Shorts: On warm days, go for hybrid- or tec-style shorts that are built to stretch and breath so you're comfortable walking all day.
- Dresses: A flowy dress is another great option for warm days. Just make sure there's no chance of a change in the weather so you don't have to cut your boat show day short.
- Shoes: A comfy pair of boat shoes is always a good choice and will pair well with any outfit. Athletic shoes are also a great choice especially if you expect to be walking a lot.
- Hats: Trucker-style hats are always a good option but a sun hat is a good way to elevate your outfit if you want a more refined look.
Weather Ready Essentials for All
From full sun to unexpected rain, being prepared for any weather will keep you from having to cut your day at the show short.
- Jackets: A lightweight, waterproof jacket will keep you comfortable if a cold breeze picks up and will keep you dry if there are showers in the forecast. We've got you covered with plenty of stylish men's and women's jackets.
- UV Protective Clothing: Choose clothing with built in UV protection when possible to protect your skin.
- Sunglasses: Nobody likes squinting into the glare. Make sure you have a polarized pair of sunglasses on hand. With plenty of men's and women's sunglasses styles, we have something for any outfit.
Time to Get Ready
Got your fit picked out? Good. Now it's time to find your closest show, check out some gear and look good doing it. We'll see you there.
Need More Help?
Our in-store teams have you covered. With plenty of life long boaters on our crew, we can get you set up for any show. Find your store here.
