Every summer, I find myself routinely watching the surfer movie Blue Crush to get me into a beachy spirit. If you have never seen the 2002 movie starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez, the premise is pretty straightforward: Three roommates are busy living it up in Oahu, Hawaii as Anne Marie (Bosworth) prepares to compete in a big, important surf competition. There’s all the makings of a great cinematic film along the way—a love interest, high-stakes drama—but more importantly, the summer fashion is worth tuning in for alone.
If you’re in need of new bathing suit inspiration Blue Crush certainly has you covered. I’ve always had a thing for the movie’s colorful board shorts in particular: They are worn with everything from bikini tops to wetsuits. As a whole, board shorts get a bad rap. And I (sort of) understand the stigma. When you think of the, a surfer bro who says things like “hang loose, bruhhh” likely comes to mind; a crunchy dude who exclusively wears flip-flops. Often worn baggy and below-the-knee, surfer shorts are hardly a chic, streamlined garment. But I also love a sartorial challenge—and when styled right, I actually find board shorts to be quite chic.
Designers agree with me. Last spring, Miu Miu released a very surf-inspired collection that featured board shorts worn with structured blazers, thong sandals, and killer eyewear—exactly how I would style them. The beach vibe was there, yet the shorts were surprisingly sophisticated, too. Back in 2020, Chanel’s resort collection matched that energy by featuring board-style shorts in summery whites—paired with perfect little nautical sweaters. It was a dressier approach to the knee-length silhouette (versus your expected swimsuit pairing).
Sure, mini skirts and denim cut-offs always creep their way into the summer fray, but don’t discount the power of a well-placed board short. Just remember that the current approach is about styling them with an unexpected upper half. You can wear them swimming, but they look even cooler in a non-beach context. Think: More bold fashion statement, less like you’re auditioning for Blue Crush 3. (Yes, a direct-to-DVD sequel already exists.)