The Enduring Appeal Of Nautical: A Brief History Of Sea-Faring Style, As Told Through Music Videos

Miss Shop girls are running the show this season, and we teamed up with them to explore the history behind five iconic looks. Run With Us here.

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Fashion is a fickle dance partner, it’s true. But some looks are so perfect and so staple, that they never leave the bods of the well-dressed.

Proof: nautical.

The formula is simple: red, white and blue, pin-sharp tailoring, stripes everywhere, and navy-inspired accessories that encompass everything from kick flares, to sailor hats, to epaulettes. And the style hasn’t changed. Sea-faring steez has been ubiquitous from runway to RL ever since Coco Chanel took the Breton striped top from the boatyard to the runway in 1917.

But designers and film stars haven’t been the only ones to get in on the action. To properly give them their dues, I’ve put together a ranked playlist of nautical style lessons from those other revolutionaries of trickle-up fashion: pop stars.

While I’ve never personally spent any time on the high seas, the low seas, or the medium seas — I think the ocean is for looking pretty, and being cold on and around you when it’s hot out —  I do work in fashion, and have both a Grad Diploma in YouTubology and a pair of eyes. So, here’s nine of the best nautical-themed music videos, from most to least stylish:

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1. Spice Girls – ‘Stop’

“Spice up your life”: the Spice Girls’ words of wisdom are as relevant today as they were in their heyday. You know what isn’t? Their clothes. The patent knee-high platforms, metallic lycra co-ords, and perpetual midriffs are a glitzy time capsule straight out of the ’90s. That being said, I am deeply cool with this. The unyielding ’90s redux means we can now praise the Spice Girls with all the ironic (yet secretly deeply heartfelt) love they deserve.

Take for example, this shining beacon of style: a “live” performance of the 1997 hit ‘Stop’, which for reasons blissfully unknown is nautical-themed. It kicks off with a fleet of breakdancing sailors in hats that magically never fall off, and escalates from there. Featuring anchor motifs, hella cleave, matching navy bodycon ensembles, jaunty ’40s hats, and leather gloves, this is proof that nautical needs no reason and knows no bounds.

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2. Grimes – ‘Genesis’

In this dreamy delight, Grimes and her badass squad casually emerge from the ocean to do badass things like play with swords and snakes in limos.

But on the fashion front, Grimes gives nautical a Cmnd+R with her otherworldly rave princess vibe. A puffy white sailor jacket with square collar and navy piping is blown out to epic proportions and teamed with a pastel headband, ponytails, schoolgirl knee-highs and backpack; and the whole thing is very Tumblr meets seapunk. A timely reminder that the classics can be blown-up, refined, and collaged with our own signature styles to create all-new looks.

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3. Christina Aguilera – ‘Candyman’

A retro variation on the nautical theme, Christina goes full pin-up in 2006’s ‘Candyman’ and finally answers the question: what could be better than one Christina Aguilera? Looking very sharp, Christina clones all opt for flattering peplum suiting, with tailored coordinates in blinding white, officer hats, padded shoulder epaulettes, and nana brooched on lapels alongside pin curls and flawless makeup.

Chrissie looks bloody fabulous here but I’m deducting a few points for being way too high maintenance. Side note: that rubber pastel blue number from 1.54 onwards is classic Xtina.

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4. One Direction – ‘Kiss You’

Full disclosure, I’d never watched a 1D video in my life until now. Summary of findings: the boys are all very good looking and have interesting hair and do intense things with their eyes. In this clip they have various staged capers including fake surfing, fake riding in cars, fake skiing, and fake jail time. Charming, but that’s not what we’re here for.

2.04 minutes in and suddenly: fake sailors. The sartorial choices are fairly predictable: white sailor hats, deck-hand coordinates in navy. Not much by innovation, but please see points above re: intense eyes, etc. The boys earn an honorable mention for proving the significant but subtle difference between cliché and classic.

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5. The Mighty Boosh – ‘Future Sailors’

Sure, it’s not technically a music video but Vince Noir was wrong. The future’s dead; it’s all about retro.

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6. The Village People – ‘In The Navy’

Is this a recruitment video for the US navy? We may never know. However it has a special place for being the one legitimately nautical-themed video in this whole round up. Just try to resist the ‘78 disco beat and convincing reasons to sign up for navy life.

On the style front we have standard sailor. Lots of navy, crisp white, epaulettes, sharp tailoring. But why does Captain White Pants does neglect to mention the top reason for signing up for a casual stint with the armed forces? It’s all about the uniforms.

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Honourable mention to The Lonely Island for this GIF alone:

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