E-Mail This Article to a Friend Fashion, ho! The nautical look sails into spring BY NINA SCHWARTZ

AVAST, YE SCURVY dogs, and starboard off the port bow! Hoist the mainsails and anchors away. Or, well, whatever. Enough of that. New England has long been associated with its proximity to the dark, choppy Atlantic, its quaint fishing villages, its ruddy-nosed, sun-dried old sailors with their big yellow boots and slickers. But the rest of the country has underestimated us. That’s not all we have, no sir-ee. There are horizontal stripes, polo shirts, and boat shoes, not to mention navy blue in almost grotesque abundance. These things suit us, they make us happy, and darn it, we make them look good.

Well, suddenly so does everyone else, because the maritime look is tearing up the Eastern Seaboard. Goodbye, miniskirts; hello, sailor pants. So long, faux furs; ahoy, canvas belts. And while we don’t recommend chucking those stilettos just yet (legs are always in fashion), you should think about re-spiraling the laces on those docksides of yours. It’s time to set sail for the world of spring fashion. Check out the trendy booty.

Jasmine Sola knows that every good sailor needs her stripes. Its keyhole tube top ($28) fits the bill, available in black and white and classic navy and white. Match it with the Sanctuary button-front white capris ($98), or with a pair of Citizens of Humanity wide-leg red sailor pants ($196) from Nordstrom, and you’ve got your sea legs. J. Crew has gone all out with its watercolor bateau print, offering an adorable strapless cotton dress ($148) that’s perfect for a seaside picnic. And a day on the yacht calls for Nanette Lepore’s navy-and-white embroidered suit jacket ($360), matching skirt ($210), and navy silk cami with white stitching ($195), all at Wish.

But what’s the ocean if you can’t go swimming? Try on a red, white, and blue anchor-print bikini ($9.90 each piece) at H&M. And a red-and-white lobster-print Shoshanna bikini ($55/top; $65/bottom) is available at Wish.

Accessories-wise, there’s much to be done here. J. McLaughlin has a wide selection of colorful canvas belts ($32) printed with everything from beach chairs and umbrellas to crabs, whales, and swordfish. L.L. Bean has been making Boat and Tote bags ($12) for ages, and they’re finally getting some of the spotlight. They come in nautical stripes, multicolor, or any combination you damn well please. Helmut Lang makes a red double-rope bracelet ($90), as well as rope-front wedge shoes ($290) in royal-blue and yellow suede, and Jasmine Sola carries a pair of Rebels seersucker moccasins ($59).

Now we can all breathe a salty sigh of relief. We’ve finally been granted a warm-weather trend that’s not only comfortable and low-key, but also mighty sexy. After all, you don’t always need micro-mini skirts and five-inch heels to make your scuttlebutt look hot.

Where to get it:

• Helmut Lang, www.helmutlang.com

• J. Crew, various locations; www.jcrew.com

• J. McLaughlin, 34 Charles Street, Boston, (617) 228-4195.

• Jasmine Sola, 344 Newbury Street, Boston, (617) 867-4636; 37A Brattle Street, Cambridge, (617) 354-6043; www.jasminesola.com

• L.L. Bean, various locations; www.llbean.com

• Nordstrom, various locations; www.nordstrom.com

• Wish, 49 Charles Street, Boston, (617) 227-4441.