The Thrifty Six in Nautical Style
Sally said, “Nautical Vibes for June!” And Shelbee silently replied inside her mind, “Ummmmm.” Every now and then, I have been known to enjoy a good Breton stripe, a comfy pair of boat shoes, a cute pair of sailor pants, or a red, white, and blue color palette. And once upon a time, I did have a nice collection of preloved blue and white striped shirts and dresses that were perfectly nautical. But with my recent style aesthetic being much more woodsy boho than coastal chic, I have purged most of those things from my closet. I am certain there are some ocean inspired pieces that remain in my wardrobe that would have worked fine for this challenge, but I was hankering for a thrifting adventure.
So I headed out to one of my local thrift shops in search of the perfect nautical outfit. I started with the dresses because they are my favorite summer time garments. As I was digging through the rack of unwanted dresses looking for either stripes or nautical prints like anchors or sailboats, I stumbled upon this red, white, blue, black, and green madras plaid sundress by the brand Nautica. Although plaid was not on my radar for this style theme, the brand spoke my purpose and so I took it the changing room hoping it would fit. It is a size medium and I am usually a large or an extra large depending on the brand. Well, the sea gods must have been singing for me that day because it fit just right!
I generally don’t like to buy new things just for a silly style challenge, but this is a dress that I can see myself wearing again so I thought it was worth the $8 price tag.
I layered a thrifted white blazer on top because it is always a little cooler on the water and appropriate coverage is required if you get super cold like I do from the slightest breeze while a straw sun hat helps keep me shaded from the harmful UV rays of the sun that become much more intense over water. Reminiscent of a sailor’s neckerchief, I tied a small blue striped scarf around my neck. It actually has a shoe print but you can really only see the stripes the way it is tied. Keeping with the nautical vibes, I wore my tan rope sandals, preloved red and white beaded earrings that remind me of ocean buoys, and my Viking ship necklace that I bought in Iceland 20 years ago.
Although nautical isn’t really my vibe these days, I can definitely get on board with this Nautica dress, proving that you really can wear whatever the heck you want regardless of your age, your size, your skin tone, your hair color, or even your own personal style aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to try something new once in a while.
The best way to try new things without overstraining your budget is thrifting! I put this outfit together using three preloved pieces (dress, blazer, and earrings) and four retail pieces (hat, scarf, necklace, and sandals). You will be surprised at what you can create with secondhand styles.
Let’s check out how my thrifty friends have channeled their Nautical Vibes in secondhand style. Click on the links or images below for details about each outfit.
- Emma of Style Splash
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
- Sally of Within a World of My Own
- Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
The Thrifty Six is a group of international fashion lovers who meet once a month in our little space on the internet to share our thrifty outfits. On the third Monday of every month, we will all share an outfit based on a theme that features preloved wardrobe pieces. Shopping and reselling preloved clothing is so much better for the environment and you can find some of the best fashions in thrift or charity shops. The Thrifty Six are here not only to inspire you to shop second hand but to also get creative in your closets.
Emma of Style Splash
-Emma
Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
…could have gone with my vintage sailor dress but it felt too obvious, so here’s a more subtle approach instead…
This pattern clash navy ensemble has a hint of the high seas but to make the message extra clear, I’m standing near some boats!
These military bandsman pants have a slight bell-bottom, and the exaggerated shoulders of the shirt resemble an epaulette – is this nautical enough?…”
-Jane
Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
Since I couldn’t find one, I transformed this striped skirt into a strapless top. What do you think??
The shoes and cardigan are preloved also.”
-Jodie
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
this one. I mean, does anything else scream more Nautical Vibes then
this blazer! Look a those cute sailing boats! It’s a King Louie blazer
which means perfection. Bought on Vinted years ago. And even the jeans
have something nautical, look at the cord in the jeans. Espadrilles in
navy. A real nautical holiday vibe look to me!”
-Nancy
Sally of Within a World of My Own
-Sally
And Me!
-Shelbee
If you enjoyed our thrifty interpretations of Nautical Vibes, please be sure to stop by on July 21, 2025, to see how we style Jodie’s next thrifty theme…Bloom Where You Are Planted. Until then, wear what you love and make every day a special occasion worthy of a fabulous outfit!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
12 Comments
Sally in St Paul
I love that the sea/fashion gods were smiling on you with this dress – it’s an unusual preppy-meets-boho style that is a great fit for Shelbee Does Nautical Her Way! The details of the outfit really boost the nautical vibes. The white blazer reminds me that the US Navy has a dinner dress white jacket as part of the uniform, so well done!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Sally, thank you so much! I was a little stumped how I was going to pull off nautical style with a boho twist but I think I did it! Once upon a time, I enjoyed the occasional cute preppy outfit, with a Shelbee twist of course, but it’s just not me anymore. But a long flowy sundress in any kind of print…even a nautical one…that I think I will always be able to pull off! The white blazer just made me sense to me. Although I did try my seersucker blazer first but the proportions weren’t right. I do like a good challenge and you definitely challenged me on this one!
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
What a good find! It’s a super lovely dress. I do love a bit of a nautical vibe sometimes, especially on holiday! Beautiful white blazer too!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Nancy! I have a few really cute thrifted pieces that I have found recently but haven’t shared yet. Maybe one of those new to me pieces will inspire my next Thrifty Six theme choice!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
I see nothing wrong with going on a little thrifting trip. In order to find something for our prompt
And you scored!!
Xoxo
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
As long as I don’t go thrifting for every prompt! I need to move things out of my closet without moving more stuff in! LOL I definitely scored with this dress though!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
I love this look! It definitely feels like a marrying of boho and nautical.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Joanne! I was trying to keep my boho aesthetic combined with the nautical theme. I think I succeeded!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
Oh, I love this dress! It’s perfect for this challenge, too. No harm in buying something new that’s pre-loved. Your accessories are very nautical, too! This was a fun topic!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Marsha! I have been trying to move stuff out of my closet without moving more stuff in, but I keep failing. LOL I guess I just like pretty clothes too much to become a minimalist at this point in my life. Ha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Leslie Susan Clingan
Love what you said about this dress proving you really can wear what the heck you want!! Ha!! Finally embracing that myself, at 67 years old. I appreciate the subtle nautical vibe of your dress. Not only does it have a subtle nautical print but the dress is so flowy, love that. Like a sailboat!! And your Viking ship necklace – or maybe it is a ship out of Game of Thrones?? – is perfect. Head to toe perfection.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aww, Leslie, thank you so much! I have always dressed however I like despite being made fun of when I was younger for my eclectic sense of style. While it did give me some insecurities, I have shed most of them by this point in my life. And so I continue to wear whatever the heck I like without apology! You know, I never really got into Game of Thrones so I am to keep calling this my Viking ship necklace since I purchased it at a Viking themed gift shop in Iceland. Oh how I would love to go back there again. What a beautiful country! Thanks again, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee