If you were on the Internet last summer, you know that it was the season of the Italy trip. Without warning, girls across America snatched up their suitcases, tied a silk scarf into their braids and fled to the Continent. I, a rube, had not been informed that we were all going to Tuscany. Was there some big group chat I missed?
Lest I be caught unawares once more, as we near May, I’ve begun to think about the vibes of Summer 2024. And as I put a wet finger into the air to check the temp, I can feel that we are not doing another Hot Italian Girl summer. But I did find myself stirred by another wind…the greatness of a hot August long forgotten…and that is:
Surfer Girl Summer!
Recall the smell of leis as you entered the Big Island airport, or the feeling of UV rays blistering your back as you ran towards the oceans with boogie board in hand, or the acid florals of the local Pacsun. You are young, you do not care yet about posing for an IG story, summer will never end.
And this year, I want to stay on the beach until I am fried to a crisp (wrinkles be damned). I want to drink blue Gatorades and eat popsicles and watch Soul Surfer and Blue Crush on repeat. I want to laugh.
Surfer Girl Summer is about having fun in the sun with your friends.
The Surfer Girl is a summery spin on Blokette, and she is not the same as Coconut Girl (though the two would perhaps be friends). The Surfer Girl is wearing a bathing suit that is comfortable and sporty and she doesn’t care if the bottoms get filled with sand. If she has to be pulled away from the beach, she’s throwing on a simple cover up that can be quickly removed when the water beckons. She has a stack of string bracelets, each made by one of her girlfriends. She believes in Havaianas, not Birkenstocks, and this is her season.
Shop the Surf
The best part about this look/vibe is that it hasn’t yet been seized upon by the Depop group—in other words, you can still find these pieces at reasonable prices (though if you prefer something new, I’m sure you could find contemporary versions of these pieces). So strap on your headlamp, because we’re going spelunking into the depths of resale websites.
The most quintessential part of the Surfer Girl uniform is, of course, the bikini. We’re looking for a swim suit that is not fussy, that has full coverage, and bright, bold colors. The tried and true brand for this look is, of course, Roxy.
In collating this mood board, I became obsessed with the IG page Roxy1990s. The vibe is just…fun. And it makes evident that the Roxy bikini is meant to be played in (as opposed to something like Frankie’s Bikinis, many of which must be maneuvered in carefully due to their small gussets and delicate fabric).
I have been trawling the web for these suits and man, are there lots. Here are some vintage Roxy bikinis I found in my deep dive.
I think I am most likely to pick up this brown and pink Roxy bikini, but this Dr. Seuss-colored one might better suit my complexion. And this teal Roxy tankini has convinced me that tankinis are back, baby.
But don’t limit your keyword search to Roxy—for similar suit styles, you can also try searching Billabong, Pacsun, Quiksilver, and O’Neill.
The next most important part of this look is a pair of tiny board shorts. These are perfect for hopping up on your surf board, or throwing on to grab a Diet Coke at the nearby beach shack. In my opinion, you want a pair that have a low rise.
The downside is that my favorite pairs of board shorts tend to be in Junior’s sizing. Like this blue Roxy pair is a Junior’s 11 (which may fit a Women’s XS/S). Luckily, Tommy Hilfiger understands that I, a grown woman, want to be in cute tiny shorts too—this vintage Hilfiger navy pair are a size M. If you’re feeling extra Zoey 101, you could even try this Mossimo board skort.
And I know you didn’t think I was gonna forget about the all important rash guard.
These are great because you can walk directly from the beach to grab burgers. And, in my limited experience with actual surfing, a rash guard seriously comes in handy.
Shop the Beach
All swimsuit and swimsuit-adjacent items will be part of the Surfer Girl’s non-water outfit, but there are a couple of key cover ups that come in handy for completing the look.
Most basic among them is the colorful floral mini dress.
Don’t these just look…easy? Like you could throw them on without any fuss and go go go. For similar styles, try this red Charlotte Russe dress or this purple Jones dress.
I am particularly fond of this neon blue mini…possibly because I own a very similar one that I have to dig out of storage.
Worn with a bikini top, a straight mini skirt is perfect for summer. This can be a floral print that delightfully clashes with your bikini, or a sportier monotone.
Notice that there’s no ruffling or A-line flare; these skirts are what Seventeen Magazine would’ve called “tomboyish” in 2003.
The Surfer Girl look would not be complete without a pair of flip flops. For a more dressy look, there’s none I can recommend as highly as the ForBitches flip flops.
I own a pair in black and they are my go-to summer shoe. For something more relaxed, just grab any pair of Havaianas.
And of course, this look would not be complete without a cowrie shell necklace.
These necklaces are durable, beach-friendly and surprisingly versatile.
And here’s a DIY tutorial on how to make those adorable cord bracelets for your friends.
In Conclusion
So there you have it! My summer vision. If you like what I’ve laid out, you may enjoy the new brand Boy Kloves, which seems like it may soon be stocking pieces in this vein.
What’s your vibe for the summer? Are you lazing by the pool, or going on vacation, or throwing the world’s best BBQ? Let me know in the comments <3
I may earn some money if you make a purchase through one of the links above.