Surf Style and Fashion: How to Pull Off This Iconic Look

Australia is the cradle of surfing and home of the most reputable surf brands such as Rip Curl, Quicksilver and Billabong. These surfer fashion clothes are even popular in landlocked countries because surfing is much more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle that revolves around comfort and simplicity. What was once considered to be functional beachwear is now the fashion goal of people around the world.

Wavy locks, sun-kissed skin, tan lines and comfy, laid-back outfits. Who wouldn’t want to pull off this iconic surfer style? Nowadays, everyone wants to achieve this effortless cool aesthetic, but in order to do so, let’s have a look at some of the key elements of surfer style and fashion.  

Hairstyle  

The simplest way to get those wonderful wavy locks and curls is to join the dawn patrol and start catching waves. But don’t worry – if you can’t surf or you feel insecure in the waters and yet you adore this iconic hair look, you can still pull it off without even setting a foot on the beach.

The first step is to grow your hair out. Long, shaggy cuts, mid-length hairstyles and messy buns are the most common surfers’ hairdos. The ultimate goal is to achieve a casual look without looking sloppy. Think Brad Pitt or Chrissy Teigen. Thankfully, this beachy hairstyle is low maintenance and all you need is fresh water, a little bit of shampoo and a wide-tooth comb or you can even use your fingers to style your hair for a more effortless look.

The best thing about beach hairstyles is that you don’t have to buy tons of products to style your hair. You can use lemon juice to lighten dark hair for a sun-kissed effect, mist your locks with saltwater sprays for natural beachy waves and scrunch the locks for some bouncy curls.

Tops

Casual and comfortable regular fit tees are an absolute must-have. Luckily, you probably already have a few of these in your wardrobe and if you don’t, you can stack up without breaking the bank. When it comes to surf style clothes, you don’t need to look further than Rip Curl, the brand that lives and breathes surf culture. All of their tees are crafted with premium quality materials and original Rip Curl designs. Their plain cotton tees in neutral colours are a perfect match with almost any outfit, or you can opt for a dope logo t-shirt and express your love of life on the search.

Hawaiian shirts also go hand in hand with surf fashion. A stylish, slim fit, Connor Hawaiian shirt with full button front and short sleeves will certainly complement your beach-athlete aesthetic. If you want to play it safe and stick to a more neutral look, opt for a charcoal, crooner shirt from St Goliath.

Warm sweaters, flannies and hoodies are also essential if you want to rock that surfer chic during chilly days.  You can combine them with your favourite casual tees and jeans to serve beachy looks all year-round.

Bottoms

When it comes to bottoms, board shorts are the epitome of surf style clothes. They’re usually made from soft cotton blends or durable rip suede materials.Unlike swim trunks, board shorts are designed for both surfing and casual wear.

Check out the highly-fashionable board shorts from Industrie. Just throw on a tank top or a cotton tee and you’re ready for your next beach adventure. If you really want to turn some heads the minute you leave your house, pair them with a button-down shirt, a pair of boat shoes and add some accessories. The Rinse shorts from Industrie are made from 98% cotton and 2% elastane for ultimate comfort, but they also have stylish details and convenient pockets which makes them the only shorts you’ll ever need.   

A pair of stylish shorts from Rusty is an excellent choice for the ladies. You can wear them when out and about the waters or for your casual outings. They come in different colours, so you can easily style them with different tops, tees and sports bras. 

It’s also good to have a pair or two of classic denim jeans so you can rock your other surf style clothing when the dress code requires more formal attire. Opt for dark, regular fit jeans with minimum details and leave the distressed pair for your pastime activities.

Footwear

Thongs, sandals and slip-on shoes are the staple of surf fashion. Consider buying a pair of each so you can slay all around the clock.

One of the top picks when it comes to summer footwear is The Laneway thong from Rip Curl. Simple design, stylish details, comfortable sole made from flexible and durable materials; what more can you ask from a pair of thongs anyway?

Speaking of slip-on shoes and surf style, the first things that come to mind is Vans. Almost every surfer on the planet rocks a pair of old school kicks or slip-on Vans, so buy a pair to complete your laid-back surfer look.

Accessories

Colourful accessories can complement your surf style fashion clothing. You can top your hairdo with a trendy bucket hat, cool baseball cap or a warm beanie depending on the weather. Headscarves and bandanas will also look amazing with this casual hairstyle. 

A pair of stylish sunglasses is also one of the key elements of surf fashion. Opt for vibrant colours and bold designs that will look great in your hair, but will also protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays. 

If you’re a lady, go easy on the makeup and stick to a simple skincare routine that will give you that beachy, healthy-looking skin.  

Final Thoughts

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t wear surf clothes all year round. You can incorporate them in various styles from smart casual to street wear and enjoy unprecedented comfort all day, every day. If you want to step it up a notch, you can always layer surf tops and tees with blazers and sweaters for a more professional look. Either way, surf clothing items will look amazing in almost any outfit.