Board Shorts Are Trending—Here’s How My Favorite Fashion Girls Are Styling Them
I have no interest in actually catching a wave—but I am on board with this summer trend.
I have never surfed, nor am I all that confident my core strength could keep me upright to even ride a wave. That said, I am very much on board with the fast-rising, hyper-specific trend that’ll make me look like I can hang ten in Honolulu: Board shorts. A beachy blend of athletic shorts, boxers, and functional swimwear, drawstring swim shorts have become an unexpected repeat wear among today’s fashion set.
On the streets of New York, I see well-dressed women in Y2K-era Billabong shorts and Donni’s viral taffeta pair. (It goes without saying, but just in case: Don’t actually wear the latter in the water.) Across Substack, my favorite follows are recreating Dries Van Noten’s Spring 2026 styling, touting it as a summer outfit for when you want to be comfortable but still look like you used a modicum of brain power: Board shorts worn with a peplum tunic, a shell pendant necklace, and crystal-fringe heels.
Because, ultimately, that’s the secret to styling the summer shorts trend to look chic instead of cowabunga—you mix in elevated pieces to create refreshing, intentional contrast. A sharp blazer to add shape and structure. A pointed-toe kitten heel gives the leg a subtle lift, which can make all the difference with an awkward Bermuda length. Or, as Parisiennes are pulling from Miu Miu’s runways, a polo shirt sandwich for an end result that lands somewhere in between a yacht captain and a fashion girl who’s prepared against too-cold air conditioning. (Trust me: In practice, it looks cool.)
Reading about how to style board shorts so you don't look like a sunburnt, sandy surfer bro is great. But looking at visual references is far better. Ahead, discover six board short outfits from Paris, New York, Milan, and Copenhagen street style, all of which come with a ready edit for you to shop. As for whether you make it out on the ocean and up on an actual board, well, that’s up to you.
Women's Board Short Outfit Ideas
If you end up with a vibrant, printed pair of swims shorts, lean into it—it is summer after all. Highlight the board shorts’ central color with a matching cropped T-shirt and up the ante by mixing in another pattern on your feet.
There are few garments that a well-cut blazer can't work its magic on. As evidenced here, board shorts aren’t one of them. Mix in an open-weave knit tank in a neutral shade—tan or ivory—which will add a playful switch-up of texture.
Why stop at one summer stripe when you can have double the fun—and in a look that’ll work from the beach to the street? For those up for the challenge, try playing with stripes that integrate shades on the same side of the color wheel, but in various ways.
Across the internet, on every single fashion outlet, rarely will you find an outfit guide that doesn’t feature a monochrome outfit. The result can’t be argued with: A look that’s cohesive to the eye, easy to digest, but still interesting and will feel elevated each time. A blue pair of board shorts and a matching windbreaker jacket is no exception.
No, this outfit featuring double-layered shorts and triple-stacked tops is not novice level. But it’s the same styling that walked down Miu Miu’s runway, so it’ll definitely earn you cool points from a fashion nerd. Alternatively, reduce it to its core components of board shorts, a polo, and a simple studious loafer.
Here, a board short outfit for the minimalist. But by mixing shades of khaki, off-white, and black, and opting for a baggy-on-baggy combo with an oversized sweater and Bermuda, the look remains interesting.
