If only I could dress like a boater for the boat show, especially for the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (now underway through Nov. 3, 2014). I’d love to dress like everyone else – comfortably, that is – in the heat and humidity while roaming the docks, climbing aboard boats, exploring engine compartments and canvassing the acres of outdoor marine-accessory exhibits. Even the tented pavilions get pretty darned tepid.
But no such luck. You see, I’m working during the show, a member of the press researching the newest boats and gear and interviewing manufacturing executives. So I have to dress the part. Instead of shorts, T-shirt and flip-flops as worn by most of the sensible show-goers, it’s a long pants and a button-down shirt. In 90-degree heat and 90 percent humidity. All day. Yuck.
Each year I tell myself to do it different and dress like a boater. But then I see my colleagues and counterparts decked out in smartly pressed khakis, oxford shirts and tasseled loafers, and I cave.
But not this year. No, this year it’s lightweight shorts and a Columbia PFG shirt. I’ll concede the flip-flops in favor of Sperry athletic-style deck shoes. I’m going to be comfortable – I’m dressing like a boater. And so should you.
See you on the docks.
