Although the Nautical look wasn't big on the runways, high-street stores have jumped onboard the trend with navy stripes, sailor pants and ship-shape fashion accessories.

Never really out of fashion, a classic navy and white top or striped dress adds crisp, clean lines and understated chic. Throw on a navy jacket or ice-white trousers and you have instant class. However, fashionistas be warned. This look is not always a flattering one, as horizontal stripes should be worn with care and it is possible to go overboard with the trend.

Work the Nautical Trend for Summer 2008

Every year there is a variation on "nautical" in some form or another and the key this season is to look more like you are just off to the yacht club rather than a new Royal Navy recruit. Moderation is the key to wearing nautical well and avoiding looking like Popeye, in an over-the-top sailor suit. Covering yourself in stripes and gold buttons is not the way to being fashion-forward this summer. Go for subtle and give a nod to the trend, not flood the look.

The secret to making waves this season is in both subtlety and color combinations. Nautical outfits are normally associated with white and navy but cream and navy and a splattering of beige and red, especially when accessorizing, really works too. Dark navy, almost black, (as opposed to lighter French Navy) is figure flattering and mirrors that of many service uniforms, such as the UK’s police force or Royal Navy. According to Pauline Western Thomas’s article “Navy and White Nautical Fashion Trends Summer 2008” from Fashion-era, “dark navy has an authoritarian look which instantly marks the wearer out as well-groomed.”

Creating a Great Nautical Look

If you don’t do navy (a throw back to the days of hated school uniforms) then go for red stripes or plain white or cream, with a nautical twist. This will have the affect of taking you from strict to saucy. Anchor prints are also a refreshing alternative to stripes. If you want to formalize your look then nothing says chic more than a beautifully cut blazer and a pair of white sailor-style wide pants. Just remember the visible panty line rule, when wearing white, and go for skintones underneath, perhaps with a pair of boys' shorts.

According to fashionpolice.com, the nautical look never really seems to go away completely. Says the blogsite “We love it - at least in moderation.”

However, the trend is not without its critics. Says Lucas, a fashion police blogger, “I'm SICK of the nautical trend. It's been taken WAY too big by commercial brands, and it should be dead and over."

Caroline, a fellow blogger on the same site, agrees, "Ug! Nautical (and animal print) trends should be made illegal. Here in the Midwest..When I think of nautical, I envision "clearance rack" at the end of the season."

Big Girls Don’t Do Stripes

One of the pitfalls of the nautical look is that is more forgiving on size zeros and slim silhouettes than a woman with more than a few curves. Yet is it still possible for ladies of larger proportions to dip their toe in the water! Minimize the stripes and concentrate on nautical details and seafaring-themed accessories instead. An anchor necklace, a rope belt, a sailor’s barrel bag or some wedge espadrilles.

If you have a big bust but still love to wear striped tops and T-shirts then follow fashion advice by making sure you go for a V or sweetheart neckline or one which is scooped or square, in order to give some distance between your neck and your chest. A boat-neck cut or a high round-necked striped top will do nothing to enhance your figure, and can make you look like a barrel (of rum!)

Nautical Accessories

There are also some accessory rules for wearing nautical well. Don’t go overboard with the bling. Keep jewelry simple – a plain gold chain or some anchor drop earrings, or a rope bracelet or fine necklace decorated with delicate sea-faring charms.

Bag some nautical-themed arm candy, as handbag designers have really jumped onboard with striped totes, oversized sailor duffle bags and navy and white clutches.

Shoes have also been given a nautical twist, with anchor and stripe prints in white and navy or cork heels. If you want to liven up your outfit, then cruise on down to your local store and buy a heart-stopping pair of red shoes and matching handbag.

Belts are awash with nautical buckles and navy’s and red’s are great colors to pep up an outfit with a nautical twist.

Finally, don't forget some oversized navy, red or white sunnies to complete your ensemble and give you that celebrity air.

If You Only Work On Trend ...Make it Nautical

Whether you like it or loathe it, or consider it “old hat”, the nautical look is set to be a major trend this summer. Commercial UK high-street stores such as Top Shop, Gap, Warehouse and leading online retailer Asos, have all jumped aboard the trend. Glossy women’s magazines have made a splash by featuring a huge variety of nautical variations, and according to the style gurus at Red magazine, UK edition Feb 2008 “If you work only one trend… make it nautical.” This, on the whole, is sound advise, as navy stripes and cotton-whites are classic fashion staples which will return again and again.

So sail on down to the shopping mall and pick up your new nautical look for this season. You don’t have to own a yacht to work this look, just dress as though you do!