The best way to get the ”surfer look” is by learning to surf in the first place. After immersing yourself in the surf culture, you’ll naturally start to acquire surfing fashion and surf hair. Sure, there are hacks, however, the best way is to become a surfer, instead of pretending to be one.
What type of clothes do surfers wear?
Surfers’ clothes differ depending on whether you are a man or a woman, but there’s one thing they have in common:
They dress casually but also in a way that tries to convey how connected to nature they are.
T-shirts, shorts, chinos, and flowy dresses or skirts are the main pieces of clothing surfers love to wear.
They also go for fabrics like linen, flannel, and worn-in denim. All that combined makes you have a casual look but it also helps to stay comfortable.
You may think that surfers’ clothing fits in a very small niche but in reality, there are many brands that have been making clothing collections inspired by the surfers’ style, like O’Neal, Quicksilver, and Billabong, for example.
When it comes to footwear, the same thing applies. Vans is one example of a brand that has put some effort into making shoes for surfers.
Besides the specific pieces of clothing popular among surfers, to get the surfer look try to look for prints that seem vintage and retro.
If you like to complete your outfits with accessories, you can’t go wrong with a shell necklace or bracelet or other pieces of jewelry that remind you of the waves or nature in general.
How can I be stylish in surfing?
The most important thing you need to have in mind is that the surfing style is not just about the clothes or accessories you wear, it’s also about your attitude towards the world.
The surfer style became popular in the fifties and the sixties.
It was about trying to be free from all the rigid structures of society at the time and trying to reconnect with nature to recall a time when people had simpler lives and were overall happier.
That’s what your style as a surfer should reflect. Of course, with the evolution of surfers’ styles throughout the decades, you can get more creative with your looks.
You don’t just have to wear just baggy clothes and casual shoes to look like a surfer. You can also diversify your looks with tops, dresses, and shorts with bold cuts and add pops of color with fun and eccentric prints.
Don’t forget that there are plenty of options for hair accessories too.
What type of shoes do surfers wear?
You must know by now that there are specific shoes you can wear while surfing that protect you from the cold and the elements, but surfing footwear doesn’t stop there.
There are shoes that cater to the surfer’s style while they are still on land. One of the most common shoes for surfers is the boat-style shoe.
It’s comfortable and since it’s a classic, it can go with almost every outfit you pick. There’s also the option of going with a shoe that is more casual like the chukka-style sneaker.
There’s nothing like a casual sneaker that you can wear almost on every occasion since it’s casual but not too relaxed.
However, if you really want to go with the most casual and sporty option, you can also pair your surfer’s clothes with a nice pair of trainers.
We have already mentioned the chukka sneaker, but there’s also the chukka design for shoes that tend to be more classic.
Don’t be suspicious of them just because they are more classic. They are very stylish and can go with many of your surfer outfits.
The good thing about this shoe is that it doesn’t steal the show and you can easily choose another clothing piece of clothing from your outfit to be the star.
They are also very durable which is a perfect match with their timeless design.
Why do surfers wear long sleeves?
If you are new to surf fashion you may find it odd to see other surfers wearing long sleeves even when the weather is so hot you can’t imagine wearing another thing than your swimsuit.
However, there are things that have a bigger priority than staying cool and that’s being protected from the harmful effects of the elements.
When you go surfing you will not only be exposed to the sun, but you will also be vulnerable to the harmful effects of rashes, sea life, or bacteria.
That’s why it’s also important to select the right types of fabric for your needs. Usually, the fabrics chosen for the long sleeves are spandex, nylon, or polyester.
All of these provide full coverage, and flexibility which is key if you want to have a good surfing experience and allow your skin to breathe.
With the right sleeves, you won’t get sunburnt, and you will prevent skin rashes that can appear from friction due to the wrong kind of fabric.
Because your skin couldn’t breathe properly and became irritated because of the moist micro-environment trapped between the fabric and your skin.
What type of pants do surfers wear?
The most common pants surfers wear are chinos and jeans, having in mind that they look for jeans that have a worn-in look and tend to lean towards the looser look rather than the tighter models.
However, while surfers can wear pants and still be in style, they opt for shorts most of the time.
The reason for this is because if you love surfing, the chances are that you live near the beach and in a place where the climate is hot for at least half of the year.
If that’s your case, going to catch some waves while wearing pants may not be very practical. Board shorts are the number one choice of shorts for surfers.
They were originally designed solely with the intent of adapting to swimsuits that surfers wear so many times.
They have a loose shape and tend to have a big leg length, usually falling at or below the knee. They are also made of cotton blends which contribute to the whole casual surfer esthetic.
Another thing that adds to their functionality is the big pockets that can fit all your essentials when you go to the beach.