Blue Carpet Report

Most people attending the Monaco Yacht Show strutted their stuff like the carpet beneath their well-heeled shoes was a different color. What else can be expected from a place like this, where there are more places to buy a designer handbag than a gallon of milk? Though, it is still a trade show, which gave the scene an almost anachronistic mundane vibe. The entry lanyards were worn like letterman jackets, an accessory that declared belonging and defined status. There was JV (Visitor) and Varsity (VIP) and, of course, Coach and Staff (Broker and Exhibitor).
Fashion in Monaco is all about accessories. Even the most unfashionable tourist emerges from a docked Carnival cruise ship with a flower pinned in their hair or a scarf thrown around their neck. This man models the two most popular accessories: cell phones and small dogs on leashes. Both make walking through the streets of Monaco a little difficult, but navigating around the "runways" of the yacht show even trickier. But, hey, why buy a yacht and then find out your dog doesn't like it? Better to bring 'em along.
Sunglasses and attache cases packed the right power punch. The day was grey and sunless, but the shades (and floppy hats) remained. Even if your accessories are rendered unnecessary, it's difficult to remove them and still fit into the Monagasque scene. Take this man, for example. The removal of his sunglasses would have instantly switched his look from Casual Bowie to Dude with Blonde Hair.
The color scheme was mostly dominated by white, though this woman did an impeccable job at matching the carpet. Head-to-toe white was ever present and most of the models manning the welcome podiums near the yachts wore uniform t-shirt or polo shorts with white shorts and white baseball caps. White pants were the most popular choice for men, followed by pink, purple and fitted jeans. Khakis were a no-no, but shorts appeared to be acceptable as long as you were under 40.
The brokers were some of the most dressed up people at the show. It was difficult to tell some of them apart from the strategically attractive hosts and hostesses. This is their big event and they were the ones that really needed to impress. Men wore sharp suits and women wore some of the highest heels I've seen in the country, a benefit of staying on carpeted, level ground all day, as opposed to steep concrete.
You could not count on your shoes to make your look, though. If you boarded a boat, you were barefoot or slippered. Now and then, a couple would be walking around with their shoes still in hands, which I thought was pretty brilliant. It's a way to say, "I'm touring so many yachts, I don't even have time to put my shoes back on!" while inwardly thinking, "This is so much comfier - we should definitely have broken in our new Ferragamo before the show."
Monaco is filled to the brim with dapper dans and décolletage, with people that are primped and plumped and meticulously matching. There's the gold, white and navy, blonde and gelled hair and tans that you would expect, but there is also a definite trend toward bright florals and colorful breeziness. The female under thirty crowd definitely favored gauzy jumpsuits, flowing dresses and ballet flats. So, comfort may be the wave of the yacht show future. And that's this very amateur fashion correspondent's final note. Take it away Joan Rivers.