What to wear for sailing?

[AnaViaSalamanca]

Just the above really. Should I wear jeans? What top? Jacket? Layers? Shoes?

This is not a yacht but normal sailboat, going with some experienced people (work) and dont want to ask them what to wear!

Will you be participating in the sailing or just out for a trip on the boat? If participating, I would go with practical clothing like jeans with a long- or short-sleeved T-shirt (depending on how warm it'll be), with a waterproof jacket if you are going to be off the coast where you will get sprayed with waves or where it can rain. Also make sure your shoes are flat with a good grip. Deck shoes are ideal but any flat shoes with a good grippy sole would work.

If you're just out for the day enjoying the views, then you can wear what you like although layers are advisable because the weather can be unpredictable and flat grippy shoes also advisable so you can get on and off the boat easily.

Don’t wear jeans, if you get at all damp or wet they’re awful. Nothing constricting in case of clambering up ladders or onto pontoons. Never dungarees, the heads (toilet) are often small. Lots of people don’t like you going on their boat with dark coloured sole shoes as they can mark the deck. A t-shirt, with a sweatshirt or wind proof jumper, and a light jacket with a hood. I like to wear a cotton scarf as well, you can keep your neck cosy!
If you have anything other than short hair take a sturdy hair tie as it whipping in your face all day is very tiresome. Tons of sun cream, tons.
Enjoy yourself!

If they are experienced sailors they are likely to be in practical clothing, rather than smart.

Depends a bit on the weather. If it's warm I would wear shorts & smarter button up shirt, but take both jumper and waterproof jacket. and light trainers (ie supergas, not sports ones)

Whereabouts and what size boat? The latter will determine how much you will be expected to do and how wet you may get.

Sebago dockside (white soles that grip the deck and can cope with getting wet). Shorts, t-shirt, hoodie and possibly a good waterproof with a hood.

As said up thread, seriously don’t wear jeans, there is nothing worse than wearing wet jeans and trying to move about.

Sunglasses. Good ones. I can't stress that enough - polarised, covering as much of your eye area as possible to avoid too much light getting in round the edges.

Hat - one that won't get blown away (and I'd put a beanie in my jacket pocket for good measure - you might be surprised just how bloody cold it can get by the time you've left the harbour).

I'm sure they wouldn't mind being asked what they'd recommend you wear and wouldn't judge you for not knowing.

Weird, I wear jeans all the time when sailing! It’s pretty dry and sunny where I am however. If sailing in heavy weather I would be in my waterproofs anyway.

And yes good sunglasses and / or a hat is a good suggestion. Any hat will do as long as you can fix it on so it doesn’t blow away and it has a brim to keep the sun out of your eyes. I usually wear a baseball-type cap.

Wear comfortable clothing and sensible shoes. Bring a set of spare clothing just in case. Bring a bag that is water resistant. Bring a vest and a light jacket. Bring sunglasses and sunscreen.

If you intend to go sailing more regularly, get yourself some boat shoes. They are anti-slip and really nice to have. Do they have a lifevest on board?

Forgot to add. If the weather is nice, bring swimming gear as well. It's so nice to freshen up by jumping off the boat.

Inion I think if you know what you’re doing, where to sit, when some water is likely to come your way then you’re very likely fine in jeans (in fact useful as you can wear them for ages before they look dirty)
If you’re visiting a boat for the first time maybe not so much.

Long sleeved cotton shirt and trousers. Sun and wind will cause you to burn very easily. You need to be able to cover up.

Depending on the size of the boat, you might also want to bring a roll of toilet paper.

Assuming you are in the UK it will probably be a lot colder than you expect so take a spare fleece or hoodie.

Yes it's almost always windier- and therefore colder- than on shore. And you can't move about enough to keep warm. So yes to bringing layers eg thin wool jumper plus fleece, even if the sun is splitting the stones.

How big is the boat and how much will you be doing?

A must for me is two pairs of trousers/shorts I can move in, two tops, a thick jumper, a waterproof windbreaker, Sperrys (much better than Sebagos, they just seem to be more trendy) and polarised glasses.

And two hair things in case you lose one.

And a pair of thick socks in case you end up somewhere unexpected and a sea breeze kicks up. Having cold feet and being stuck on a freezing island is miserable.

Please don't wear blue fucking stripes.

Where and what size is boat? Makes a big difference.

Either way no denim, plenty of layers, light soled shoes that grip well and I always wear a baseball cap - not glamorous but very practical.

I’d wear some kind of chinos and layers you don’t mind being seen (so ok vest or T-shirt followed by fleece or jumper etc) including a decent windproof waterproof jacket. Sunglasses - even if it is not sunny it can be bright on the water / a baseball visor type hat (I tie mine to my jacket). I’d take some socks for later, shorts & swimming stuff & a towel etc. Assuming you’re in the UK If you anchor off for lunch and it’s sheltered and sunny you’ll be glad you did. I personally would also pack some spare layers because it can be colder than you’d imagine on the water.

If rain is forecast I’d try and get hold of some waterproof trousers/ hifit sailing dungarees as being warm and dry makes all the difference to a good day out.

If you normally wear stripes they are fine. My mother practically lives on her boat in the summer season and always wears stripes, always has.

Also colour wise for some reason I’d always look at navy and grey and red and orange and possibly teal to wear but would never wear black. No idea why.

Are you changing your name to Hyacinth??

What do you mean by "normal sailboat"? If I was going sailing I'd be in a wetsuit, spray top, life jacket, sailing gloves and a lot of sun screen.

Grew up sailing & always wore jeans!! Important that you wear comfortable trousers/shorts you can easily move around in. Depending on size of boat you may have to clamber around a bit!
Otherwise, T-shirt, fleece & waterproof coat. Light-soled easy grip shoes. I used to wear converse when I was younger. Sunglasses, hair tie & lots of suncream!!

Meh. Around these parts people that wear stripes are generally the people that end up calling the coastguard for assistance and not 'proper' saily types.

People that actually know what they're doing see stripes as the anti christ and just for posh twerps .

Whenever we charter our boat dh jokes that he can tell who'll get sick because they're the ones coming on in their Breton stripes.