How to Style Like a Surfer with Broqsurf
Messy, sun-bleached hair, relaxed clothing, and bare feet are all trademark attributes of your typical surfer. You’ve seen this look in magazines, on social media, and at the beach, which may have you wondering, “How can I look like that?”
Well, the good news is that styling like a surfer is actually pretty easy. However, there’s one important thing you should know about surfer style: while nailing that surfy look is great, there’s more to being a surfer than simply looking like one. To ensure you know how to pull off both the look AND the philosophy of a surfer, we here at Broqsurf have decided to help out.
Read on to discover what it takes to dress like a surfer, and remember to let us know if there’s anything we missed.
1. Wear Comfortable Casual Clothing
Surf fashion has evolved over the years and has become more casual since those early days. Where you once saw bold blocks of color and tight-fitting clothing on the beach, you’re now more likely to see relaxed fits and understated tops and bottoms. Loose t-shirts are the norm, plus baggy pants and shorts are common surfer essentials, as are the following:
- Boardshorts
- Bikinis
- Graphic/logo t-shirts
- Flip flops or sandals
- Sunglasses
- Cap or beanie
- Oversized jacket
- Slack tracksuit pants
There has been a recent trend for surfers to wear shorts that finish above the knee, similar to the shorts of the 60s and 70s. Just as long as puka shell necklaces don’t come back into fashion, we should be sweet.
2. Minimize Your Environmental Footprint
As surfers, we spend a massive amount of time enjoying the fruits of Mother Nature’s bounty in the form of waves. We have a responsibility to look after the natural world since it really is the source of our life-pursuit and pleasure. Buy from eco-friendly brands, use sunscreen that’s reef-safe, and repurpose existing products instead of simply discarding them. Even the smallest acts of sustainability can lessen our impact on the environment if we work together. Nothing screams surf style more than being conscious about how we interact with nature.
3. Learn How to Use Surf Lingo Correctly
If you really want to style like a surfer, then your surf lingo has to be on point. We’re not talking about outdated phrases like “bodacious” or “cowabunga” either. We’re talking about common words that real surfers like to throw around, such as “stoked,” “frothing,” and “sick.”
4. Read Surf Magazines to Stay in Touch with the Latest Surf Trends
Surf trends are always changing, making the entire surf industry seem constantly in a state of flux. By reading both print and online surf magazines such as Wavelength, Waves & Woods, Inertia, or Stab, you can keep your finger on the pulse of the surf scene, ensuring you never miss out on a cool new board design, wetsuit innovation, or even cheap flights ever again. Online surf articles are also a great way to get inspiration for learning how to dress like a surfer.
5. Plan Your Life Around the Tide, Swell Size, and Wind Direction
To style like a surfer is to live and breathe the art of riding waves. Seeking out better, bigger, and more exotic waves should be at the top of your to-do list. In order to ride more waves, you need to be in sync with the conditions at your local break or the break at which you’re currently staying. Use forecasting sites such as Magic Seaweed, Surfline, and Wind Guru to better read a weather forecast and hit the beach when the tide, swell size, and wind direction all line up. Only then can you consider yourself truly styling like a surfer.
6. Try to Go Barefoot as Much as Possible
Shoes and sandals are out, bare feet are in. Of course, if this is impossible due to your local climate, then we’ll give you a pass. If you can kick your footwear off and go shoeless, though, we suggest giving it a try. Even big wave pioneer and alpha male Laird Hamilton recommends removing any barrier between your feet and the earth. His reasoning is based on the fact that we have more than 7,000 nerve endings on the bottom of each foot. You’ll also find a quarter of the bones in our body all located below the ankle. So instead of opting for cushy shoes or sandals, ditch the shoes and go barefoot to reap the rewards of having tougher, more flexible feet.
7. Don’t Wash the Saltwater from Your Hair
Ever wondered how surfers achieve that beautifully tangled, sun-bleached hair look? It’s not because they spend hours at a salon. Instead, this effortlessly stylish look is achieved by not washing the salt out of your hair after a shred session and spending plenty of time soaking up those UV rays. The salt adds volume to your hair and acts as a natural substitute for styling gel. The result is wild, two-toned hair that looks cool without even trying—pretty much the surfer look summed up.
8. Stay Cool, Calm, and Collected in Heavy Situations
One of the keys to styling like a surfer is staying cool, calm, and collected in every situation. This way, you will be able to better relate with other surfers, given that just about all of us are so mellow we’re practically falling asleep. Another benefit to staying calm in heavy situations is that you’ll be better equipped to take on bigger waves. Surfing critically is all about making the difficult appear easy and the technical appear fluid. By remaining as cool as a cucumber on land, you’ll be able to carry your vibe into the water and surf with more confidence.
9. Embrace Logos and Bright Graphics
Nothing says “I’ve nailed that surfer look” like a logo t-shirt or graphic top. Take Broqsurf merchandise, for example. When you see someone wearing our t-shirts, hoodies, or caps, you immediately recognize them as a surfer. Wearing clothing with logos and surf-related graphics is one of the fastest and easiest ways to style like a surfer.
10. Experience a Surf Vacation in an Exotic Surf Destination
A surf vacation in an exotic location is the ultimate feather in your cap when it comes to styling like a surfer. It’s on these trips that you really get a feel for what it is to be a surfer as you learn about different cultures, surf different waves, meet new people, and of course… drag your heavy boardbag through airports. Whether it’s tropical surf hotspots like Bali, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, or the ruggedly beautiful shores of Portugal, experiencing an authentic surfer lifestyle is key.
11. Do a Road Trip in a Surf Wagon
The surfing road trip is a rite of passage for all surfers. Whether it’s a quick strike mission to a secret spot or a multi-day journey through different countries, taking your surf wagon on the road is a guaranteed good time. Exploring new places and stumbling upon waves you might never have found otherwise is part of the fun. For many, destinations like Portugal are the perfect final stop on a road trip from Germany, Austria, France, or even the UK. So find yourself a van, turn it into a home on wheels, and point it towards the sunny shores.
12. Get Acquainted with Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, and The Beautiful Girls
Music and surfing go hand in hand. Playing artists like Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, and The Beautiful Girls while chilling out at your surf spot will make you an instant hit. These artists are popular in surfing circles and are known for their soulful tunes that resonate with the surf vibe. Plus, both Jack Johnson and Xavier Rudd actually surf pretty well.
With these 12 tips, you can learn how to style like a surfer and get the most out of your next surf experience. Use them as an introduction to surf culture and check out Broqsurf for all your surf apparel needs.