The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs October 28 through November 1, and it's not a "stand around in a convention center" kind of show. FLIBS is spread across miles of in-water docks in Fort Lauderdale. You'll be walking in the Florida sun, climbing aboard boats, and — if you do the day right — ending it at a waterfront dinner table without going back to change. Here's how to dress for all of it.
Quick facts
- The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs Oct 28–Nov 1, 2026 — full days on concrete docks and decks in Florida sun.
- A heavyweight tee stays opaque in bright sun and holds its shape through a full show day; thin tees go see-through and limp.
- Anchor Me Down's show-week picks — Anchor White Rock, Nautical and Lake Days — are verified heavyweight at $60, sizes XS–2XL.
- The full guide is in What to Wear on a Boat.
- Shipping is free on orders over $200.
Opening week 2026: the show is live
The 67th Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show is no longer coming — it's here. FLIBS runs Wednesday, October 28 through Sunday, November 1, 2026, across six waterfront venues, with 1,300+ boats and 1,000+ exhibiting brands in the water and on the docks.
- Wednesday, Oct 28 — Preview Day: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct 29: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Friday, Oct 30: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct 31: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov 1 — closing day: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
What's new this year: the redeveloped Pier Sixty-Six makes its full grand debut, with Superyacht Village at Pier Sixty-Six South hosting the biggest hulls at the show — including the 305-foot Oceanco Draak. And the crossover nobody had on their card: a floating pickleball court at Las Olas Marina — "From the Courts to the Docks" is an official theme of this year's show.
What to wear for a full day on the docks: plan for miles of walking on concrete and dock boards in high-70s to mid-80s sun. One outfit has to board boats at 10 a.m. and sit down to dinner at 8 p.m. without a trip back to change. That is exactly the job a heavyweight tee does — structured enough to look composed at hour ten, heavy enough not to wear the day on your chest. The guide below is how to build that outfit.
Start with the reality of the day
Late October in Fort Lauderdale is still warm — expect high 70s to mid-80s, strong sun, and humidity that doesn't quit. You'll likely log several miles of walking between marinas and exhibits. Boat show attire has one job: hold up from the first dock at 10 a.m. to the last drink at 8 p.m.
That means:
- Breathable but structured tops. Thin tees go sheer in bright sun and cling the moment you sweat. A heavyweight tee holds its shape, keeps its drape, and doesn't turn transparent — on the dock or in a dinner photo.
- Non-marking shoes. You'll be stepping onto decks. Clean boat shoes or white-soled sneakers are the move, and they'll save your feet over miles of dock.
- Sun gear. A hat and polarized sunglasses aren't accessories at FLIBS — they're equipment.
- A layer for the evening. Once the sun drops, the Intracoastal breeze picks up. Waterfront restaurants run cool, and you'll want something over your shoulders.
The dock-to-dinner formula
The trick is picking a top that works in both worlds. A structured heavyweight tee in a clean colorway reads casual on the dock and sharp at a waterfront table — no costume change required.
Our pick for show days: the Nautical tee or Lake Days — both heavyweight garment-dyed cotton. weight is fabric weight in fabric weight, and it's the number that actually matters: most tees labeled "heavyweight" land far lighter. At full weight, the shirt has real structure — it doesn't cling, doesn't go sheer, and still looks put-together after eight hours in the sun. The Anchor White Rock is the same heavyweight build in a lighter tone that pairs with anything.
When the evening cools down, throw on the Anchor Zip half-zip or the Anchor Down Hoodie. Both are built heavyweight, so they sharpen the outfit instead of looking like an afterthought — exactly what you want walking into dinner straight off the docks.
A quick packing list for show day
- heavyweight (or genuinely heavyweight) tee — structure that lasts all day
- Lightweight shorts or chinos you can climb aboard in
- Boat shoes or white-soled sneakers
- Hat, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen
- A half-zip or hoodie for the evening breeze
- A small crossbody or belt bag — you'll want your hands free for boarding
From our home water
Anchor Me Down was founded in Nashville, but the brand lives where the boats are — our founder is based right here in Fort Lauderdale, and the anchor has always stood for the space between the iron and the water: train hard, live on the water, stay anchored. FLIBS is our hometown show, and the dock-to-dinner problem is one we design for all year.
Ready for show week?
FLIBS tickets are online-only, and the good sizes go fast once show week hits. Grab your tee before October 28 and wear the heaviest shirt on the dock.
Show week is just the biggest version of a normal boat day — the dock-to-dinner playbook applies all season long. Invited aboard something bigger while you're in town? Read what to wear on a yacht. Shopping for the boater instead of yourself? Here are gifts for boaters.
Stay Anchored.
— Anchor Me Down Apparel, Fort Lauderdale
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show?
A heavyweight tee that stays opaque in full sun, boat-friendly shoes, and sun protection — show days are long hours on concrete and decks.
When is the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in 2026?
FLIBS runs Oct 28–Nov 1, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale.
Which tees does Anchor Me Down recommend for show week?
Anchor White Rock, Nautical and Lake Days — all verified heavyweight at $60, sizes XS–2XL.
Why not a thin tee?
Thin fabric goes see-through in bright sun and loses its shape by midday; heavyweight holds both opacity and drape all day.
Shop the tees in this guide
The three show-week picks from this guide — verified heavyweight, all $60:
- Anchor White Rock — heavyweight garment-dyed cotton, built to stay opaque in full Florida sun.
- Nautical — heavyweight cotton, in 12 colorways from coastal neutrals to deep ocean tones.
- Lake Days — heavyweight garment-dyed cotton that stays opaque when it's damp.
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