Style guide
Coastal and fisherman style, explained: what to wear and how to style it
Short answer
Fisherman and nautical style uses Breton stripes, chunky cable knits, boat shoes and duffle coats for a refined, slightly quirky coastal look. Who What Wear's simplest outfit is a Breton-stripe top with blue jeans. Vogue softens a chunky fisherman sweater with a delicate lace-trimmed slip.
Steps
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Start with stripes
A Breton-stripe top with blue jeans is the simplest version, per Who What Wear.
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Add a chunky knit
A cable-knit fisherman sweater. Vogue pairs one with a delicate lace-trimmed slip to soften it.
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Choose the outer layer
A duffle coat, a raincoat or a barn jacket. Who What Wear tries a barn jacket with lace-trim shorts.
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Pick boat shoes or fisherman sandals
Vogue and Who What Wear both style boat shoes with a chunky knit.
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Finish with a bag
A woven bag, or a butter-yellow one with a striped set, as Who What Wear shows.
What the look is and where it comes from
The look is also called fisherman aesthetic, nautical, sailorcore or coastal. Marie Claire describes it as refined and slightly quirky, and ties boat shoes, cable knits and khakis back to preppy style.
Pinterest's Summer 2026 report lists Sailorcore. It reports searches for "stripe shirt outfits women" up 1,962 percent.
Key pieces
Stripes and knits do most of the work, and the rest is practical outerwear and shoes.
- Breton-stripe top
- Chunky cable-knit sweater
- Boat shoes or fisherman sandals
- Duffle coat or raincoat
- Khaki pants
- Sailor-stripe dress
- Woven or fishnet bag
- Barn jacket and rope or cord accessories
Colors and fabrics
Navy and white is the base, with blue stripes, khaki, yellow and butter yellow as accents.
The fabrics are cotton jersey stripes, cable knit, rope details, water-resistant fabrics and woven straw. They suit weather by the water.
How editors are styling it now
Vogue pairs a chunky fisherman sweater with a lace-trimmed slip. It also combines boat shoes with a chunky knit. Who What Wear wears a Breton top with blue jeans or a striped set with a butter-yellow bag.
Who What Wear also styles a barn jacket with lace-trim shorts and a crewneck with a white midi skirt. Marie Claire keeps it refined with boat shoes, cable knits and khakis.
Wearing it in late fall and winter 2026
Who What Wear's nautical outfit ideas for fall center on chunky knits, barn jackets, sheer knits and Breton stripes. Marie Claire highlights duffle coats.
A striped turtleneck under a cable knit works well in cold weather. For more cold-weather outfits, see fall outfits under $50.
Shop the coastal look at PeachSunday
Browse tops for polo-collar knits and stripes, turtlenecks for layering, and sweater dresses for striped and cable-knit dresses. New styles are added daily.
Search PeachSunday for striped, cable knit, polo and linen. Free US shipping applies on orders of $65 or more.
Shop the edit
FAQ
What is fisherman style?
A refined, slightly quirky coastal look built on boat shoes, Breton stripes, chunky cable knits and duffle coats.
What are the key fisherman pieces?
A Breton-stripe top, chunky cable-knit sweater, boat shoes, duffle coat, khaki pants and a woven bag.
What colors work for nautical style?
Navy and white, blue stripes, khaki, yellow and butter yellow.
How do I wear nautical style in fall?
Who What Wear uses chunky knits, barn jackets, sheer knits and Breton stripes. Marie Claire highlights duffle coats.
Is the coastal look popular right now?
Pinterest's Summer 2026 report lists Sailorcore, with searches for "stripe shirt outfits women" up 1,962 percent.
How is it related to preppy style?
Marie Claire says boat shoes, cable knits and khakis tie back to preppy style.
Sources
- Marie Claire: fisherman aesthetic (checked )
- Who What Wear: fisherman aesthetic (checked )
- Who What Wear: nautical outfit ideas for fall (checked )
- Vogue: nautical summer outfits (checked )
- Pinterest newsroom: Summer 2026 Trend Report (checked )