Manhattan Yacht Club Dress Code
A Bit of History
In the early days of sailing, mariners went to sea just for exploration, travel, commerce or war. Sailing for pleasure or sport didn’t exist until the 14th century. Around that time, rich Dutch ship owners and merchants had in their fleets light-built and fast small boats to chase smugglers and pirates. As these boats were fun to sail, they started to take out friends just for pleasure. These vessels were called “jaghts”, and that is how boats became “yachts” and “yachting” as a sport was born.
In the early 1600s when King Charles II of England was in exile in the Netherlands, he became aware of this new and exciting pastime. After his restoration to the English crown and return from exile, Charles was presented by the city of Amsterdam with a 60’ yacht named Mary, which he took to London and frequently sailed on the Thames. Charles had a contagious enthusiasm for yachting, studied navigation and naval design, and built approximately 20 yachts during his lifetime. It can be certainly said that he was the world’s first yachtsman.
King Charles II Royal Yacht Mary (1660)
The interest in the sport of “yachting” continued to grow, so much that Charles’ great-grandson, 26 year old William O’Brien and five of his friends founded in 1720 what is today known as the Royal Cork Yacht Club, the oldest yacht club in the world.
The tradition of a “yachting dress code” is also closely intertwined with Great Britain. The story goes that in 1837, a ship in the Royal Navy called the HMS Blazer was to receive an imminent visit by Queen Victoria. Having no standard uniforms to wear, the captain commissioned solid blue, double breasted coats for his enlisted crew. The jacket was named “blazer” after the ship.
“Navy blue” got its name from that dark blue blazer, contrasted with pure white, that in 1748 became the British Royal Navy officers uniform.
Because of the global presence and dominance of the British Navy from Trafalgar on, the Royal Navy uniform became the model for virtually every other Navy, merchant mariners and yachtsmen around the world.
The Importance of our dress code
The respect for maritime heritage and sailing traditions defines the Manhattan Yacht Club, making very important to have a dress code and proudly wear the club uniform for important occasions. Our dress code must be seen as a critical part of the club life that instills a sense of affiliation, pride and camaraderie among the club’s members.
A dress code also identifies club members and officers that represent the club in national or international competitions or social events. Lastly, when a club member individually visits another yacht club with which we have reciprocity, a dress code gives to our hosts the right impression about our club standards and traditions.
Casual Attire
Members will mostly be in our clubhouse before or after being out cruising or racing, that means sporting, technical and relaxed clothing. However, T-shirts and footwear are required at all times, with shorts free from rips and tears. No bare torso or bare feet.
Women’s swim attire is not allowed unless an appropriate length cover-up is worn. The cover-up must not be made of see-through or mesh material.
For summer evening events at the Club House or the Honorable William Wall, Polo shirts and shorts are the norm.
When club members participate as volunteers to help run an event at the club, they must wear a white MYC polo shirt and khaki shorts.
Members are encouraged to become ambassadors for our club by regularly wearing the Manhattan Yacht Club lapel pin and MYC cap even when not at the club.
Formal Attire
For commissioning day, ceremonies, annual dinner and any other formal MYC event or when visiting a reciprocal Yacht Club, a traditional single or double breasted navy blue blazer with the club emblem (bullion) is the appropriate attire.
The bullion is worn on the left breast pocket 1” below the top of the pocket. White shirt or blouse with the club tie for men and club scarf for women.
White pants and skirts in summer grey in winter. Black dress shoes are always appropriate, but white shoes may be worn with white pants or skirts in the summer.
Support Team Attire
Red is the color reserved for our fantastic professional team and Manhattan Sailing School staff that wears a red Polo shirt with the Club burgee.
Race Committee Attire
Race Committee members that demonstrate continued participation and support of such an important role in the club, earn the privilege to wear the Manhattan Yacht Club Race Committee colors.