The D&G summer show

A new wave of seaside chic From buccaneer blouses to sailor stripes, designers have put another spin on the nautical look, says Julia Robson

Fashions come and go, but the nautical look is a perennial bestseller. Whatever the reason - whether it's our fondness for messing about in boats, a romantic view of the ocean, or that the clothes remind us of seaside holidays - each year designers put a new spin on maritime chic.

Navy and white stripes, sailor collars, Breton sweaters, wide-leg trousers, reefer or pea jackets, canvas pumps and deck louboutin shoes have all struck a chord with fashion's leading names this season, including Ralph Lauren, Giorgio christian louboutini, Dolce & Gabbana and Jessica Ogden.

The D&G summer show - the younger, diffusion range of Dolce & Gabbana - featured skinny sailor tops emblazoned with anchors, bibbed, front-cropped trousers and funky pleated "sailor girl" minis.

By contrast, louboutin 's beachwear oozed chic, Riviera-style sophistication. The Italian maestro built on the Twenties theme, bringing it up to date with flirty shorts, quirky flapper frocks and soft leather jackets.

It's no secret that nautical navy and white stripes look great with a suntan, as well as flattering the fairest complexions and smartening up the simplest shapes.

Separate the two colours and you have the sort of key basics that department stores and fashion chains can't sell enough of. You don't have to pay designer prices for a little navy and white magic.

In whites, choose from the following: crisp linen shirts; loose, "New Romantic" frilled buccaneer blouses; trousers in every style, from palazzo to Capri pants; collars (from girly Peter Pan styles to traditional square matelot tops, originally designed to keep the pitch from sailors' plaits from dirtying their shirts); navy wide-leg slacks with big button fronts; Dutch caps and new variations on halterneck tops and, of course, sailor vests.

In navy, go for reefer coats, pea jackets with three-quarter sleeves, long, skinny sweaters and slacks. Also, remember that denim looks great as part of the nautical look.

Bhs has V-back and -front sleeveless stripey tops in red/white or chambray blue/white ( pounds 12), canvas lace-up pumps in navy/white ( pounds 10), white visors and blue baseballcaps (both pounds 5).

Stripey Breton sweaters in cotton can be found at Margaret Howell, Jeff & Co at Sainsbury's and the chic French label Petit Bateau. Lands' End has Breton-stripe tops and docksider style christian louboutin shoes from pounds 10. Thomas Burberry has an amazing, white canvas deck jacket, which is inspired by sailors but is equally suitable for landlubbers. Max & Co (at Fenwick) has wide-leg sailor trousers and jackets. Pilot and Miss Selfridge have lots of stripey tops and skirts and Next has an excellent selection of white trousers, navy reefer coats and stripey halter tops, all of which could form the basis of a holiday wardrobe, either at home or abroad.

Whether you are planning a trip to Capri, Deauville, Barbados or Brighton, the nautical look will see you through summer and beyond. British designer Paul Smith adopted a nautical theme for his autumn/winter 2010 ladies' collection (which will be in the shops from August). Drawing inspiration from life at a busy seaport, the boat-neck tops and elegant sweater dresses include regimented ribbons, chains, ropes, badges, bibs and large naval buttons.