The Chic Way toWear this Season’s Board Shorts trend
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Board shorts are no longer just for the beach. Here's how to style this unexpected trend so it feels effortlessly chic.
If you've noticed more board shorts popping up outside of the beach lately, you're not imagining it. The surf-inspired staple has quietly become one of this summer's biggest fashion trends, proving that a piece once reserved for sandy feet and saltwater can actually work just as well in the city. It's unexpected, it's comfortable, and when it's styled right, it looks surprisingly chic.
While the trend has become more and more popular over the last few months, it actually started making waves on the runway a while ago. Miu Miu was one of the first luxury houses to reimagine board shorts, styling bright red surf shorts with a plaid button-down, layered polo, oversized blazer and rope sandals for its Spring/Summer 2024 collection. It was the perfect example of Miuccia Prada's ability to take something ordinary and make it feel completely desirable. More recently, Dries Van Noten embraced the trend for Spring/Summer 2026, sending printed board shorts down the runway with fluid tailoring and elevated separates.
The reason the trend works is because no one is wearing board shorts the way they were originally intended. If you pair them with a bikini top and flip-flops, you'll naturally look like you're heading to the beach. Instead, fashion is treating them like a pair of tailored shorts. It's all about creating contrast. A crisp oversized button-down, a fitted tank, a lightweight knit or even a structured blazer instantly changes the mood of the outfit. Suddenly, the shorts feel less sporty and much more put together.
The same goes for your accessories. Swapping rubber sandals for leather heeled sandals, pointy mules or a simple kitten heel makes a world of difference. Add a structured leather bag or clutch, statement sunglasses and a few pieces of jewelry, and the outfit feels intentional without looking overdressed. It's proof that the smallest styling changes often have the biggest impact.
If you're trying the trend for the first time, we'd recommend sticking to neutral colours like black, navy, olive or cream. They're much easier to work into an everyday wardrobe and pair effortlessly with pieces you already own. If you do opt for a bold print or brighter colour, keep everything else fairly minimal so the shorts remain the focal point instead of competing with the rest of your look.
What we love most about board shorts is that they represent where fashion is heading right now. Comfort is no longer something you sacrifice for style. Instead, designers are finding ways to make practical pieces feel luxurious simply by changing what they're worn with. It's the same mindset that made boxer shorts, track pants and technical jackets part of everyday dressing. Board shorts are simply the latest addition to the list.
So yes, board shorts belong far beyond the beach. The trick is to stop thinking of them as swimwear and start treating them like another pair of summer shorts. Style them with polished wardrobe staples, lean into clean accessories, and let the contrast do the work. You'll look less like you're on your way to the ocean and more like you intentionally embraced one of the season's most unexpected trends.
If you're ready to embrace the trend, we've rounded up a few of our favourite board shorts that strike the perfect balance between sporty and sophisticated. These are the styles we're absolutely loving this season.
