When temperatures begin to soar, it’s easy to sweep style to one side. For beachwear, this can mean reaching for the budgie smugglers or an overly tight board short style. With the correct balance, however, men’s swim shorts can become exemplary beach style staples, with the potential to carry you from the shoreline to the barstool. In fact, in certain workplaces, wearing boardies with a button-down shirt even passes muster on casual Fridays.
Achieving sartorial success with board short style is as simple as opting for pairs that reflect personality while flattering the body. Contemplating fit, colour and print also helps cover all the bases.
If the shorts fit
The 1990s were terrific for many reasons, but the domination of extra-long board shorts was not among them. Then again, the 80s were barely an improvement, with eye-wateringly snug board shorts – Stubbies for the surf, if you will – commandeering men’s beachwear.
Today, above-the-knee designs with just enough breathing room are the go-to garments, but the plethora of options available allow personal preference to dictate the exact fit of your men's surf shorts.
For those who prefer a slim silhouette, Katama has tailoring sewn up, with a natty double seam running down the middle of its ‘Laird’ line. The label’s Resort 2016 collection comes in a palette of muted blues and greys, which lends itself to the dapper design.
Polo Ralph Lauren offers a more relaxed shape with its range of board shorts in slightly flared fits and comfortable stretch waistbands. Block colours or nautical all-over patterns cater to a preppy poolside aesthetic typical of the all-American brand.
Equally key for determining the perfect board short style is the proportion factor. Shorter styles, such as the board shorts from Etro, give the appearance of longer legs and tend to flatter well-built thighs. These old-school designs also feature subtle yet summer-appropriate botanicals in faded brights, while white drawstrings add to their retro aesthetic.
Area (colour) code
Certain destinations call for beach style staples that adhere to a particular colour palette. Italy’s Amalfi Coast, for example, suits sophisticated hues – and erring on the shorter side of the boardie spectrum is expected. In essence, it’s best to avoid copying a Southern Hemisphere tourist. SS16 swim shorts by Jil Sander, with a subtle sportiness and tasteful cut, are ideal for the low-key ethos and warm climate of the southern Italian island of Positano.
In Bondi and Byron Bay, the relaxed Aussie approach to lounging on the beach means anything goes. Byron local Chris Hemsworth is just another surfer – albeit one who was once voted Sexiest Man Alive – when he takes his board, and functional black men's surf shorts, out on the waves there. Take inspiration from Versace for darkly hued designs similar to the Avengers actor’s choices, but with gold insignia waistband detailing adding an experimental twist.
Take a look inside your wardrobe and identify the colours that appear most frequently. Chances are that an abundance of blue T-shirts don’t find their way there by accident, so consider a pair of men's board shorts that echo this same hue.
Gleeful graphics
Artistically patterned board shorts add personality to a beach look. Take inspiration from the styles presented by designers like Valentino when considering whether graphics will work within your beach wardrobe. If choosing an especially bold design, such as the label’s trippy dreamscapes, avoid looking like Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall by balancing them with timeless basics and accessories.
The Orlebar Brown ‘Bulldog’ line is especially playful. Covered in photo-print graphics of beach and pool scenes, its men's surf shorts are appealingly meta when worn beside the water.
For adventurous types, La Perla has an equally artful take on board shorts. The underwear label’s Dali-esque items with mirror-image sea creatures set against brushstroke backgrounds bring a sense of humour to directional designs. These garments also offer a way to mix up your block-colour rotation of surf shorts and are ideal for setting the mood for a tropical escape.
Practical pairings
Back to the Hemsworth family, and younger brother Liam makes a compelling case for wearing your board shorts beyond the beach – especially when teamed with crisp shirts or a casual pair of loafers. This is especially true for subtle, tailored styles, but even printed shorts work for the bar when worn with neutral colours on top.
Swapping out your thongs for a pair of leather sandals can instantly transform these beach style staples into relaxed daywear. Consider a lightweight bomber jacket with your block-coloured design, too, or opt for a cotton T-shirt and linen blazer when wearing loud prints. A little forward planning and an eye for balance will mean you get all the more mileage out of your board short style.