What to Wear to a Crab Feast: A Guide to Perfect Outfits

Crab feasts are a quintessential summer activity that brings together family and friends for delicious food and fun. But what to wear to these messy yet memorable events? The key is finding an outfit that balances style, comfort, and functionality when cracking into piles of crabs.

The Vibe of Crab Feasts

Crab feasts are casual, laid-back affairs meant for enjoying time with loved ones. They often take place outdoors in backyards, beaches, parks, or restaurants with a casual vibe. The atmosphere is festive yet relaxed.

Leave your best clothes behind. Crab feasts mean hands-on eating and inevitable messiness. An ideal crab feast outfit is casual, comfortable, and even replaceable. Don’t wear anything too precious or delicate that can’t stand up to crab juice stains.

Crab Feast Attire Dos and Don’ts

• DO opt for casual summer staples like shorts, tanks, tees, and sundresses. Cotton, linen, and other breathable fabrics work best.

• DO choose loose, flowy fits that allow ease of movement for cracking crab legs or picking crab meat.

• DO wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy. Stains from Old Bay seasoning and crab butter sauce are par for the course.

• DON’T wear fancy dresses, suits, delicate fabrics, or heirloom jewelry. Keep it casual

• DON’T wear restrictive clothing that could be uncomfortable after a feast of rich crab, Loose is best,

• DON’T wear white unless you plan to trash it after. It will almost certainly get stained.

• DON’T wear difficult-to-remove clothes like skinny jeans. Easy on/off items are your friend.

Fabulous Yet Functional Pieces to Wear

• Sundresses in bright, happy prints or breezy linen are perfect for staying cool.

• Shorts and tees are crab feast classics. Roll up long sleeves for convenience.

• Breathable button-down shirts in fun prints look polished yet provide stain coverage.

• Swimsuits and cover-ups work if a beach or pool will be involved before/after feasting.

• Light cardigans or kimonos add warmth after sunset and hide stains.

• Cotton rompers or jumpsuits allow ease of movement with stain coverage.

• Darker colors and patterns disguise drips and smudges better than lighter hues.

• Bibs, if provided, add an extra shield over your outfit, though they look smock-like.

• Hat or cap to shade your face from the summer sun, especially at outdoor feasts.

• Sandals, boat shoes, or casual sneakers for footwear. Heels and nice shoes are too precious.

Ideal Outfits for Women

The Sundress

• A flowy sundress in a bright, happy print looks feminine while covering stains.

• Pair with flat sandals or slip-on sneakers.

• Add a denim or jean jacket in cooler weather.

• Look for a breezy, lightweight dress that’s easy to wash.

Shorts and Tank

• Breathable cotton tank with shorts in a dark color to hide drips.

• Roll up tank sleeves or opt for a sleeveless style if it’s hot.

• Jean shorts or a casual romper add leg coverage.

• Wear sporty sneakers that are easy to wipe clean.

T-Shirt and Skirt

• A graphic tee with a casual denim, cotton, or jersey skirt.

• Skirts allow leg mobility for sitting on picnic benches.

• Go for a dark wash jean skirt or brightly printed skirt to hide stains.

• Complete the look with simple flats or slip-on sandals.

Great Outfits for Men

The Printed Shirt

• A vibrant Hawaiian print button-down adds festive flair.

• Combat crab stains more easily thanks to patterned fabric.

• Wear with dark shorts and casual loafers or sneakers.

• Roll up sleeves for comfort and mobility.

Shorts and Tee

• Breathable cotton tee and shorts in dark shade.

• Gray, navy and black shorts won’t show stains as easily.

• Opt for a humorous graphic tee for fun vibes.

• Finish with boat shoes, sandals or sneakers.

The Casual Button-Down

• A laidback short sleeve button-down provides a polished touch.

• Pastels or darker washes make stains less obvious.

• Pair with comfortable shorts or jeans.

• Add a simple pair of slip-on canvas shoes.

Planning Your Crab Feast Outfit

Picking the perfect outfit for a crab feast requires a bit of strategy. Consider the following when planning attire:

• Choose darker colors and patterns to disguise inevitable drips and smudges.

• Check the weather and dress accordingly with layers if needed.

• Wear clothes you don’t mind trashing. Don’t break out expensive items.

• Opt for breathable cottons and linens that allow ease of movement.

• Pack an extra change of clothes or a cover-up in case back-ups are needed.

• If attending multiple events, save your best outfit for later when less messy.

• Scope out the scene. Fancier events may call for more put-together looks.

• Don’t forget sun protection like hats, sunglasses and sunscreen for outdoor daytime feasts.

Rocking the right outfit lets you focus on cracking crabs and creating memories. Follow these tips and tricks to determine what to wear to your next crab feast occasion.