RAFT-UP: DON'T LOOK LIKE A CRUISER IN 9 EASY STEPS!

Welcome to August's Raft-Up, where many cruisers blog about the same topic. This month's topic: Clothing and Laundry.

I've been agitating (ha) about this for a long time -- at least on the clothing part. In fact, I've written a draft article about crafting a cruising wardrobe to submit to a sailing magazine. This post is a condensed version. I sure wish I had read something like this when I was getting ready to cruise! 

Imagine planning a vacation to an exotic coastal city where you will meander down lovely streets, chat with the locals and eat in charming restaurants. Now imagine packing for your trip: throw in ratty, dirty shorts, beat-up Tevas, a sweat-stained floppy hat and faded t-shirts. And for six months before departure, be sure you don't cut your hair or even comb it. 

It's shocking to me how many cruisers walk around looking like Tom Hanks in Cast Away -- and are okay with that. I'm not. However, it's not so easy.

Cruising presents so many challenges, but I have found that crafting a workable wardrobe is one of the hardest -- and one that I am still perfecting. It took me a very long time to get it close to being right and have many photos to prove it.

That's me on the right. Hey, I was freezing!

Fortunately, I have found some beautiful role models.

That is lovely Karen from Jessie Marie, the first one who told me about Rule #1 below, the formidable, always stylish Ana on Unicorn and beautiful, hip Johanna on Snowbird. (Oh, and those guys are with them.)

So here are the 9 rules I've developed for moving about the planet without looking like a bedraggled, unkempt, unshaven castaway.

Rule #1: I am a sailor. I must have sailing clothes, but they will never go ashore.

Don't try to come up with a multi-purpose wardrobe. It's impossible (without looking like a cruiser). Sailing is a rough and tumble business and demands clothing that can stand up to the work and the elements while being comfortable, flexible and quick drying.

Fortunately you don't need many of these. My sailing clothes take up a 10 x 10 inch area in my drawer. They are high-tech fibers that pack very small and dry almost instantly. 

I have a pair each of high-tech pants and capris, three pairs of board shorts, four white high-tech shirts. I have one pair of deck shoes and need to add a pair of waterproof boots. In the tropics, swimwear can be enlisted as sailing gear if you don't mind the wear and tear. 

In addition I have a base layer top and bottom that go underneath the high-tech pants and shirt, and two different weights of fleeces for those cold days if you're anywhere north of the Tropic of Cancer in the fall. These all get vaccuum sealed and stowed out of sight when it gets warm.

Rule #2: I must have boat chore clothes, not to be confused with sailing clothes.

Boat chores are perpetual and most are messy. I have one pair of shorts, an homage to all the boat chores that have gone before. They are stained with varnish, paint, glue, teak dust and probably a few tears. I keep an ancient pair of flip-flops, a short and long sleeved t-shirt and an old bathing suit top.

Rule #3: For going ashore, try to look fabulous -- or at least not dreadful.

This is the hard one. My wardrobe construction method is to use a basic color scheme. My base color is brown (cooler than black) with which I match blue, pink, white and …….. Period. When I see something I want to buy, I already know if it will correspond with my other clothes. This allows me to have lots of outfit options with very few clothes.

SHOES: I have two pairs of casual flip-flops, two pairs of nice sandals and a pair of brown wedge, high-heeled sandals that can dress up jeans (yes, you'll occasionally wear jeans) or be worn to a wedding with a nice dress. (I'm lying. I have more shoes than this. Don't tell Chip.)

Dresses are awesome. A whole outfit: DONE! I have at least five dresses.

This category can be created from your land wardrobe. Don't worry about high-tech fibers. Just make sure the clothes are cool and airy with layers for chilly days/evenings. It also helps if they don't get easily wrinkled.

Rule #4: Keep at least one elegant outfit suited for special occasions.

In two years of cruising, I have used my dressy outfit at least four times, twice for weddings and twice for swanky restaurants. Chip and I both keep two of these outfits vaccuum-packed and stowed in a deep hatch. Just take them out a day or two in advance and hang them in your boat, which is already warm and humid, making for a good wrinkle remover!

Onboard yesterday. Wedding today.

Rule #5: Accessorize!

Scarves, jewelry and belts take up precious little space and can transform plain into fabulous.

Oops, wrong section!

Behold: the scarf!

Rule #6: Grooming is not optional -- and it's free!

Okay, this isn't about clothing or laundry, but it's IMPORTANT. Grooming costs nothing and takes nothing more than time -- and if you're moving along at 5 mph, you've got time. There's no excuse. If you're going to let your hair run ragged, grow it long enough to pull it back into a sleek, timeless ponytail. Please.

#7: Never, ever dress alike.

This goes beyond wearing literally matching outfits. Many couples buy the same brand of clothing, so even though they might be wearing different colors, they end up looking like a matched set.

We've taken this to an extreme. If I buy a brand first, I own it. Chip is not allowed to buy or wear that brand and vice versa. Spread the love!

#8: Don't forget your skivvies.

High-tech bras and underwear are breathable and dry quickly. It's not helpful when your pants are dry but your undies are still wet. 

#9: Getting to and from land

Dinghy rides can present wardrobe challenges. I take precautions such as carrying a towel to sit on, wearing a slicker I then leave on the dinghy, carry my shoes in a plastic bag, etc.

Okay, there you have it. My rules for looking non-cruiserly in 9 steps. It takes some planning, but it's so worth it to see the surprise on people's faces when you tell them you live on a boat.

Be sure to read what everyone else has to say.

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