Few things in life scream opulence quite like a cocktail party on a superyacht in Monaco — for the Grand Prix weekend. And when the F1 comes to town, a special buzz takes hold of Monte Carlo. You’ll feel it all around the winding streets in town and on the fine teak decks of the superyachts floating in the harbour. It’s party time, and if ever there was a time to dress to impress, this is it.
So if you’re wondering what you should wear for a Monaco Grand Prix yacht party? Well, wonder no more, because we’re here to share some expert tips. Welcome to our Monaco F1 style guide.
Selecting the perfect attire for Monaco’s best yacht cocktail party
Ultimate Driving Tours has been hosting cocktail parties in Monaco for over a decade, and we know that if it’s your first time visiting this gorgeous principality, you might find it a little daunting deciding what to wear. After all, Monte Carlo is one of the world’s chicest fashion capitals, and people here seem to have an innate sense of style and the ability to dress perfectly for any occasion. So, no pressure right?!
But with a little bit of knowledge and some careful selections, you can put together perfect outfits which will have you looking and feeling great all weekend long, ensuring you get the most out of your incredible Grand Prix weekend. Each year, we welcome a diverse mix of stylish guests aboard our yacht as part of our European Supercar Tour, so we thought we’d share some tips on how to dress to impress.
Monaco Grand Prix fashion: what if there’s a dress code?
The Monaco Grand Prix is the perfect opportunity to flaunt your sense of style, but if you’re planning to enjoy premium hospitality at the Champions Club or Paddock Club, a smart casual dress code will apply.
For men, smart casual means trousers and an open-collared shirt with a blazer or jacket. Shoes should be closed and polished styles such as loafers or Oxfords. For women, a dress, skirt (pencil or flowing type) or pantsuit is recommended along with a pair of heels, wedges, loafers or some smart ankle boots. Shorts are not recommended for men or women.
What it’s like at the Ultimate Driving Tours Monaco yacht party
The cocktail party aboard our chartered superyacht is always a highlight of Grand Prix weekend. We host our cocktail party on Friday night, and it always sets the tone for a great weekend of racing and celebrations.
The vibe at the party is lively, so Anthony and I like to wear comfortable yet stylish outfits which will transition smoothly from sunset into the night. A jacket and pants with an open-collared shirt works for me, but some guests like to go all out with classic cocktail attire. And everyone always has an absolute blast regardless of what they wear!
Is there a theme for the cocktail party?
Our cocktail party has a Euro-chic theme. It’s a modern theme emphasising comfort over formality. That means there isn’t a strict dress code, and guests are encouraged to express themselves with their outfits.
So, cocktail attire is welcome but is by no means mandatory. I love seeing guests embrace the spirit of the Cote d’Azur in their outfit choices; linen shirts, colourful jackets and trousers for the men, and vibrant dresses and snappy jumpsuits for the ladies.
If you’re keen to buy an outfit while you’re on the tour, Nice’s Old Town has plenty of boutiques and shops that offer clothing in this style. Don’t be shy with your selections — remember, this weekend is as much about enjoying life’s special indulgences as it is about Formula 1.
Guests come here to sip champagne, admire the views from the yacht, and mix and mingle with like-minded people. And people in Monaco do enjoy showing off, so if you’re worried your outfit might be too ostentatious, don’t be.
Weather in Monaco on Grand Prix weekend
Weather is always a consideration when selecting your outfit, and the weather in May in Monaco can be changeable. One day it might be around 22℃ (71℉), and the next might be cooler, around 15℃ (59℉). And there’s always the chance of rain, so I recommend packing a range of clothing options to cover your bases.
On the water, temperatures can drop quickly once the sun goes down. Over the Grand Prix weekend, guests spend all day Saturday and Sunday aboard the yacht celebrating, so I always recommend bringing a hat for during the day, and a warm jacket so you can enjoy yourself well into the night without worrying about getting cold.
What is cocktail attire?
Cocktail attire is a semi-formal dress code. As the name suggests, it’s commonly worn to cocktail parties, but can also be worn to weddings, a day at the races, or an evening party.
While it’s less formal than black tie, cocktail attire calls for a suit jacket and trousers for men, and a semi-formal dress or pantsuit for women. The fun part is that unlike black tie, there’s room to get creative with colours and matching the individual elements of your outfit. Monaco is always full of snappy dressers, so you’ll definitely see some pretty impressive outfits as you explore Monte Carlo.
If you’re heading out on the town in Monaco, some venues may require a formal dress code, but in general, things are more relaxed than they were in years gone by.
These days, you don’t need to dress like James Bond to play the tables at Monte Carlo Casino — but you might attract a few admirers should you choose to do so.
Cocktail attire for men
Traditional cocktail attire for men means an elegant jacket and trousers. Cocktail attire is more formal than business casual, but less formal than black tie. The aim is to dress smart but you don’t need to follow the rules as strictly as you do with the more formal dress codes.
Jacket
Prada, Ermenegildo Zegna and Paul Smith are all known for their jackets and remain great choices with colour and material options ranging from understated to extroverted.
Trousers
Canali, Fendi and Alexander McQueen offer great fitting trousers including some lighter materials like seersucker and linen. These can be great for warmer days.
Shoes
Classic leather Oxford shoes from brands like Tom Ford and Chrisian Louboutin remain popular. For a more relaxed outfit, I love the loafers from Bally.
Accessories
I like to keep my accessories fairly simple with an understated watch, and I might add an extra splash of colour with a pocket square.
Cocktail attire for women
Dress
Alexander McQueen and Just Cavalli offer some modern twists on the classic midi dress, and for jumpsuits, Dolce & Gabbana, Band of Outsiders or Fendi.
Shoes
Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo and Valentino make some of the most incredible shoes that are sure to turn heads.
Accessories
A clutch, some earrings and a necklace will see you shining bright even when the sun goes down. Fendi, Tory Burch and Stella McCartney make some of the best clutches.
Superyacht cocktail party FAQs
We field a bunch of questions each year about how the cocktail party works and how to dress for the superyacht — here are a few tips and tricks to make your yacht party experience as comfortable as possible.
Can I wear my shoes on your superyacht?
On most superyachts, the answer is no. However, unlike many, our yacht has protective carpeting, meaning you can wear whatever footwear you desire, including heels. There’s no basket full of designer shoes on our yacht. For the ladies, block heels and wedges are popular shoe choices as they provide more comfort and stability than stilettos.
Is there a dress code at your cocktail party?
We don’t enforce a strict dress code. Our advice is to wear comfortable and smart clothing that will let you transition from day into night without needing to change. For men, a full suit is not required, but a jacket is recommended. For women, we recommend a dress, jumpsuit or similar.
Does it get cold at night in Monaco?
The average low temperature for Monaco in May is around 13℃ (55℉). It’s not icy cold, but a jacket will ensure you don’t get chilly as the night wears on.
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