We recently got this seriously fun reader question about what to wear to a baby shower. But not just any baby shower…a baby shower on a boat.
Hi, I’m wondering what should I wear to a baby shower on a boat in early May? It still chilly in Vancouver and the party is 6 pm onwards.
Thanks!
-G
Reader questions are always so tricky. I almost always have a zillion follow-on questions (G, what kind of boat? Are you staying in the harbor? Do you run hot or cold? What’s your personal style? How is the mom-to-be not seasick while pregnant? Can I come?) but when I quit over-thinking it, I can usually come up with something. Often, when trying to figure out What To Wear, even having some sort of starting point is useful.
Boat Party, But Make It A Baby Shower: 5 Outfits…With Gift Ideas
The trickiest part of the party-on-a-boat is footwear. If it’s on some giant yacht and you are deeply committed to wearing heels, then the best I can offer up are comfortable wedges with a grippy sole. OTHERWISE, in basically all other party boat situations, I’d be in sneakers.
So. For all five outfits below, I’m using sneakers as my outfit starting point.
Baby showers are also happy, light-hearted affairs, so I also usually eschew my usual black. A baby shower is a perfect time to bust out bright, pretty colors, so the outfits I’ve put together below reflect that, too.
Lastly, a May evening in Vancouver is bound to be chilly, so I tried to find a few pieces that could be layered on/off as the sun goes down.
Oh, and as a little bonus, I’ve included baby shower gift ideas with each outfit.
1. A Bright, Stretchy Maxi Dress + Cropped Layers
Ref’s knit dress is comfy yet reads fancy, and I love the idea of two cropped layers. I’d probably walk in wearing the cropped trench, and then add the pop of yellow underneath once it got colder. Of course, if there’s a bit of sun in the evening, you can lose both layers and still look great.
Baby Shower Gift Idea
This is the most sophisticated baby mobile I’ve seen yet. It’s exactly the kind I was looking for when my kids were little.
2. Button-Front Sweater Dress + Free People Fleece
Free People’s fleece jackets have a fresh, updated shape — they’re almost cropped, but slouchy, too – but are decidedly not fancy. That said, if you make them part of a monochromatic theme, they’ll feel much more intentional, and less like an afterthought. This dress + jacket combo is fresh, bright, and juuuust dressed up enough.
Baby Shower Gift Idea
These muslin swaddling blankets were my new-mom MVPs. I used them for everything (swaddling, nursing covers, even towels at the beach or pool). They come in such pretty prints, too, so they always feel like an exciting gift to open.
3. Glamorous Maxi Dress With Shrug + Trench Coat
I love a long, knit maxi dress, and one in a glam shape and color is especially useful when you want to be both comfortable and dressed up. Also, remember the shrug? It’s back, and the absofreakinglutely perfect layer to slide under a trench or other lightweight jacket when you need a little extra warmth. Once again, each of these layers will look great with the dress, together or alone.
Baby Shower Gift Idea
That onesie says, “Hello, I’m new here” and OMGGGG SO CUTE. Also, Sophie the Giraffe is a cult classic for a reason. Both of my boys L-O-V-E-D it.
4. Cashmere Sweater Dress + Ponchos
Depending on the weather that day, I think you could get away with a cashmere sweater dress. And if it’s especially cold and drizzly, layering the dress under a couple of ponchos will be both practical and chic.
Baby Shower Gift Idea
I know there are fancy, battery-powered bouncers out there, and I tried a TON for colicky Raines…but this simple one was our most used. And it folds flat for travel, too, so we brought it everywhere.
5. Sleeveless Dress With Cropped Sweater + Denim Jacket
If anyone else is sick of the denim-jacket-over-dress look, hear me out: In this instance, the denim jacket is oversized, slightly boxy, and cropped — so the look is much more modern. Layer under it a cropped, cotton sweater in a bright pop of color (without losing the monochromatic scheme), and the resulting look is fresh and comfortable.
Baby Shower Gift Idea
Magna-tiles are my top pick for a forever toy. My kids LOVED them as toddlers, and they’re still the one building toy we keep in our living room. And the little engineer set was too freaking cute not to include.
G, I don’t know if this was the direction you were heading, but I hope I at least gave you a few things to consider! You’ll have to let us know what you end up going with — have so much fun! Sounds like a blast.
xo,
S
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