Board short summer: the high-fashion co-opting of surf culture
From Louis Vuitton’s artificial wave to a 686% rise in flip-flop searches, the ‘board short summer’ trend highlights the tension between aspirational style and subcultural authenticity
The ‘board short summer’ fashion trend has gained significant traction in 2026, characterised by knee-length shorts, wetsuits, and flip-flops. The aesthetic was catalysed by high-profile runway appearances from luxury brands including Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, Chloé, Balenciaga, and Bottega Veneta. Marie Claire coined the phrase following a Miu Miu show featuring satin board shorts, while Louis Vuitton staged a collection show in June that featured an 8-metre artificial wave and surfboards as backdrops.
High street retailers have rapidly commercialised the look, with Uniqlo reporting that the bestselling shorts this summer are long and board-like. Asos is selling a blue baseball cap embroidered with ‘surf instructor’, and Dries Van Noten featured sparkly board shorts on the catwalk. This surge in popularity has driven a significant increase in secondhand market activity, with platforms including Vinted and eBay reporting substantial jumps in searches and sales for brands such as Quiksilver, O’Neill, and Rip Curl.
The commercial impact is evident in recent data. Searches for board shorts on Vinted increased by 132% compared to July 2025, while eBay searches for Quiksilver board shorts have risen by 338% since January. Searches for O’Neill flip-flops have grown by 686% since July last year. Secondhand retailer Rokit also reports a boom in sales of shorts and flip-flops from brands including Quiksilver, Rusty, Billabong, O’Neill, and Rip Curl.
Despite the fashion industry’s embrace, local surfers in Newquay, Cornwall, view the trend with mixed reactions. They note that the practical realities of the sport differ from the stylised fashion interpretation, with many preferring wetsuits for warmth over the aesthetic of shorts. Lukas Skinner, a global competitor and son of local surfer Ben Skinner, was invited to the Louis Vuitton show but declined due to competing in Spain. While some locals see the trend as beneficial for surf tourism, others distinguish between the aspirational lifestyle and the hard work of actual surfing.
The trend reflects a broader cultural desire for a carefree, grounded lifestyle, yet it remains distinct from internet-driven seasonal moods like ‘freaky sandal summer’ or ‘poet girl summer’. For many in the surfing community, the aesthetic is secondary to the skill and patience required to navigate the ocean, a nuance that high-fashion interpretations often overlook.