I’ve always been a fan of out-of-context sportswear. My wardrobe is full of net basketball shorts, football shirts – from vintage England jerseys to re-released retro Stockport County (the league one team I’ll die on a hill for) kits – gorpy windbreakers, trackies, and of course, the expected selection of Adidas three stripes. I’ve even dipped my toe into the “ugly-shoe” trend via climbing-coded footwear.
As someone who partakes in precisely none of the sports mentioned above, you could describe me as someone with “all the gear and no idea”, and I’m okay with that. These sporting uniforms bring me a different kind of joy – a style aesthetic that slots seamlessly into my everyday outfit rotation.
This summer, my sporty senses have been tingling once again, but this time, it’s all about the surfer-dude vibes. If you’re someone who likes technical pieces with a playful twist, this trend is for you.
Shop surfer styling essentials:
For the past month, I’ve been patiently steering my Vinted algorithm towards second-hand board shorts, alongside making every surfer-gear-adjacent eBay search under the sun and trawling local vintage shops for the perfect pair of colour-pop capris. My goal? Finding styles that have just the right amount of surfer flair, while still feeling city-ready.
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If you’re keen to shop this trend second-hand, I’d recommend a crash course in heritage surf brands like Reef, Rip Curl and Billabong (remember them?), in order to come away with authentic styles. You should also look out for brands like Polo Ralph Lauren for vintage checks and colour-pop separates.
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Elsewhere, Laguna Beach-born brand Stüssy, is an OG when it comes to easy surf styling. Destinations like Free People also have you covered, boasting a range of authentic surf brands to shop from. And of course, if you’ve been on Instagram lately, you will have no doubt spotted Made Some, a brand that has created the perfect fashion board short and capris that It-girls can’t stop wearing this summer.
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For anyone feeling tentative, remember that surfer styling doesn’t require a head-to-toe look. Take your cues from Alexa Chung’s recent holiday outfit, and apply one element to your usual warm-weather get-up. Her choice? A pair of functional jelly shoes. A colour-pop tankini worn as a top is another aquatic style that’s easy to add to your holiday outfit rotation. A good rule of thumb: if it looks like you bought it at the beach while picking up a parasol, you’re on the right track.
If you’re working with your pre-existing wardrobe, there are still plenty of ways to embrace this summer’s sport of choice. Think creased T-shirts, long shorts, frayed denim, and, of course, flip-flops, with everything, always. Granted, surfer gear isn’t right for every occasion – my tip would be to add just one or two nods to the trend to avoid going full Blue Crush.
Finally, don’t forget to finish off your surfer-centric look with the right beauty products. I’ve swapped my usual poker-straight bob for subtle waves and added texture. Blush-wise, opt for a slightly deeper shade than your usual tone for an extra sun-kissed look – my go-to is Rhode’s pocket blush in Tan Line.
Tempted to ride the wave? – pun absolutely intended – scroll on to see and shop my surfer dude summer outfit inspiration.
The board shorts
The finishing touches
Larry King
Ride or Die Texture Spray
Why it’s Vogue-approved: If mousse builds the shape, texture spray is what brings the personality. This one adds separation and piecey movement through the mid-lengths and ends, helping to create those subtle kinks and bends that define a French bob. It’s dry, weightless and easy to layer, meaning you can keep building until the hair looks just undone enough.
