After Sabrina Carpenter and Cara Delevingne wore sailor-inspired outfits at the Vogue World event, our style expert reveals how to achieve the nautical look.

It seems that haute couture is inspired by the high seas.

At this week’s Vogue World event in Paris (a sort of Met Gala-style roadshow, attended by anyone in fashion), singer Sabrina Carpenter walked the runway in a retro-inspired striped Jacquemus swimsuit and a matching headscarf.

The presenter, Cara Delevingne, wore a satin sailor hat by Jean Paul Gaultier.

Of course, it’s a timeless look loved by everyone from 1950s screen sirens to Princess Diana. But this season’s interpretation is particularly chic and, at the same time, very wearable.

Forget wearing the same old Breton sailor jumper and opt for ultra-feminine bows and trims like those worn by the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte at Trooping the Colour earlier this month.

Here’s our guide on how to get the look – no need to enlist at the Royal Naval College…

wear the pants

Sailor pants look great on all figures: they have a high waist and a perfect wide cut and are elegant, even in denim.

Traditional interpretations have a buttoned front. Try the blue pair from Paolita, on the right, or the navy pair from John Lewis, on the left.

The front patch pockets also add a maritime touch – check out the River Island jeans, far left.

Just don’t pair sailor pants with a breton or anything else too nautical, or you’ll risk veering into costume party territory.

Tie a sailor’s knot

If you’re worried that a sailor collar is too Popeye, try a blue and white or paisley scarf.

It’ll add an element of Gallic elegance to even the simplest T-shirt and jeans combo, and it’s also a nod to all things nautical.

Head to YouTube tutorials to discover ways to tie your scarf, which will become the versatile outfit lifter you never knew you needed.

Big neck energy

In 1846, Queen Victoria had made a miniature version of the uniform worn by sailors on the royal yacht for her son ‘Bertie’, Prince of Wales.

She posed in it for a Winterhalter portrait, and the naval-inspired collars have been a mainstay of royal style ever since. Princess Diana loved them and now Princess Charlotte has done the same.

This year, exaggerated sailor collars offer a summery update on the Peter Pan collars of recent seasons.

A central bow adds a feminine touch – see model Emma Louise Connolly wearing Rixo’s ‘Eimer’ top at Ascot last week. US brand Batsheva’s ‘Skipper’ shirt is another option, or try Waring Brooke’s woven sailor collar over a white T-shirt.

Earn your stripes

The true Breton is a wardrobe staple and features 21 stripes (one for each of Napoleon’s victories). but the 2024 version is more sophisticated. Look for extra details to avoid looking kitschy—the rope-inspired bows on this H&M sweater (below) add interest.

Head-to-toe stripes may seem like a bit much, but striped pants like these from French brand La Veste, or even shoes, like Boden’s Mary Janes, are a less predictable take on nautical and keep the trend fresh. .

Dip your toe in…

Do you simply want to dive into naval waters? Accessories are an easy way to do this. Look for bags, belts, and shoes with rope or raffia trim.

Just make sure the shoes are flat, as opposed to the overexposed espadrille wedge. Penelope Chilvers has a gorgeous red velvet shoe with a raffia sole (£129, penelope chilvers.com). And bring pearls – Zara has an abundance of oversized faux pearl jewellery.