Just like the perennial glitzy party dress at Christmas time, nautical fashion is a guaranteed fixture on the summer style calendar.
Every year this trend sails into the shops with a new twist and 2011 is no different.
Gone are the novelty sailor suits and boat prints - instead this season is anchored by a clean, functional silhouette.
Catwalks like Bottega Veneta and Jil Sander showcased minimalist lines to flaunt deckchair-style stripes to full effect, while Chanel recently showcased their monochromatic Cruise show on the Cote d’Azur featuring boater hats and signature tailored jackets with a nautical edge.
It's official: Nautical style has matured from a cute sailing boat into the style equivalent of an uber-glam cruise liner.
So forget swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean-style references, this summer is all about sophisticated stripes and colour blocking.
Set sail with the glam new take on seaside chic.
Stripe cardigan, £56; stripe skirt, £66; top, £18 and spot scarf, £18, Laura Ashley (0871 230 2301 / lauraashley.com) Photo PA
Traditionalist
It's unlikely you'll be made to walk the fashion plank if you stick to classic Riviera chic.
A fail-safe wardrobe staple, a Breton top in red or blue stripes is a lightweight layering essential that can easily be styled up or down.
Work a top-to-toe nautical look by teaming with wide leg sailor pants, in keeping with the Seventies trend. Opt for crisp white or versatile navy.
Work a smart nautical look Chanel-style with structured tailoring in nautical accent shades and gold embellishment.
You can also add instant interest to an otherwise bland colour palette of all-white, beige or black with a zingy stripy jacket.
If you're feeling brave, flaunt this season's bold statement deckchair stripes while sticking to simple shapes, making sure your accessories take a back seat.
Anonymous by Ross and Bute nautical cardigan, £148 (0203 006 4220 / anonymousclothing.com) Photo PA
Retro
While nautical used to be all about laid-back daytime cool, this season the silhouettes have been vamped up with Mad Men-inspired glamour.
Fifties prom-style dresses and skirts have been given a nautical makeover with stripes and spots in red, white and blue.
With voluminous floaty silhouettes, you need height to pull off those retro calf-length hemlines. Wear with uplifting chunky wedges by day and turn your nautical look up a notch for evening with platform heels in seaside-inspired fabrics like raffia, canvas or cork.
Accessories will really give you the edge if you're aiming to channel a screen goddess. Work a quirky boater hat or a headscarf to make a statement.
You don't have to follow the white and navy bandwagon if monochrome is more in keeping with your retro aesthetic. Black and white is a chic Twenties-esque alternative - just throw in a splash of sunshine yellow or red to keep it summery.
Floral and stripe Americana dress, £55 and hat, £15, Marks & Spencer (0845 302 1234 / marksandspencer.com) Photo PA
Eclectic
No need to abandon ship if you're bored by nautical fashion traditions. Exhibitionists can mismatch with surprise prints for a playful yet elegant spin on seaside style.
Branch away from stripes with the use of prints, like florals, bows or spots in the classic colourway of red, white and blue.
Girly gingham and checks are another retro nod to nautical that gives the trend a quirky twist.
Forget strictly matching ensembles and turn heads by clashing stripes together, mixing up pencil thin and bold stripes for a nautical overdose that somehow works.
Teaming together exotic florals with a striped jacket or cardigan can also give stylish sea legs to a tired old dress that's desperate for a revamp. Stick to brighter prints so the uniform stripes work to tone down the dress for daytime.
Nautical bags £125 each, Radley (radley.co.uk) stripe wedges, £40, Next (0845 4567818 / next.co.uk) Photos PA
Nautical know-how
We've all got nautical pieces lurking in our wardrobes from previous summers. Give your red, white and blue staples a new lease of life with some quick and easy styling hints: Glam up a Breton top and slim-fit jeans with a towering pair of red heels for a glamorous pop of nautical-themed colour.
Take a cue from the Valentino catwalk and belt your nautical stripe dresses with a ribbon bow to add a retro edge.
Update a tired pair of lace-up summer shoes with cream rope for a classic nautical feel.
Colour blocking is big news this season. Experiment with mixing up red, white and blue pieces to create a nautical masterpiece.
Add a striped scarf, bag or blazer to an outfit for an instant nautical update.
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