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This season is all about boardshorts that pull double duty. Hybrid styles lead the pack: they look like your everyday shorts, but hit the water and dry fast. They’ve got street-friendly textures, stealth zip pockets for your keys or card, and 4-way stretch so you can cruise, swim, repeat. The win? Zero outfit change.
Retro surf is still riding high. Think bold florals, palms, checkerboard hits, and colour-block panels that nod to the ‘90s. These prints are bright, but not loud—clever combos that stand out without shouting. If low-key is more your vibe, tonal greens, sand, ink, and charcoal land that minimal look you can wear anywhere.
Lengths are easing up too. Mid-length outseams sit just above the knee for that sweet-spot coverage, while slightly shorter cuts give your legs some sun and keep movement easy. Scallop hems and split side seams add a little surf heritage and a lot of comfort when you’re on the move.
Details matter, and this season’s details are working hard for you. Secure back or side zip pockets keep small stuff safe. Tie-front drawcords lock in the fit, with soft elastic paneling at the back on some styles for an extra bit of give. Fabric-wise, quick-dry is standard, stretch is a staple, and recycled fibres show up across the range because feeling good should include doing good. The finish? A soft, peached handfeel that’s chill against skin, wet or dry.
Bottom line: the coolest boardshorts right now look sharp, feel easy, and shift from surf to street without missing a beat.
Boardshorts aren’t just for the waves anymore. Start with a clean base—solid black, navy, olive, or stone—and build up. A heavyweight tee or relaxed tank keeps it casual; throw on a linen or resort shirt and you’ve got instant holiday energy, even if your “island” is the back deck. Leave it open over a ribbed tank for a little structure without the try-hard.
Lean into textures to make it feel intentional. A crisp camp-collar shirt steps things up for lunch runs and late arvos. Swap flip-flops for low-profile sneakers or suede slides and you’re suddenly “weekend plans” ready. Add a cap, sunnies, and a tote that can take a towel and a laptop—because real life happens between swims.
If you’re dressing around a print, balance it up top. Go neutral on your tee or shirt so the boardshorts do the talking. Prefer tone-on-tone? Match your boardies with a similar shade in your top for a clean, cohesive fit that reads put-together, not precious.
Fit is the quiet hero here. A mid-length boardshort with a relaxed tee nails that easy silhouette. Shorter lengths pair well with slightly oversized tops to keep proportions in check. If you’re heading somewhere with AC on blast, a light overshirt or zip-through hoodie handles the temp change without weighing you down.
For the all-day agenda—swim in the morning, city by noon—reach for a hybrid boardshort. The fabric looks like a chino, dries like a swim short, and moves like activewear. Add ankle socks and white sneakers and you’re good from coffee to coastline.
Warm months are a given, but boardshorts can hang around long after the peak of summer. In spring, pair them with a long-sleeve tee or lightweight knit and keep colours muted—sage, slate, or tan—to play nice with transitional wardrobes. Slide on canvas kicks or trainers and you’re weather-proofed for those four-seasons-in-one-day moments.
Summer calls for the classics: tanks, relaxed tees, resort shirts, slides. Go bold with prints or keep it monochrome. Quick-dry fabrics mean you can jump in, towel off, and head out without the soggy wait time. That’s the everyday freedom we’re here for.
Come autumn, go for texture and layers. A fleece crew or relaxed hoodie over neutral boardshorts shifts things into off-duty mode. Add socks and sneakers, maybe a denim jacket after dark. Darker colours earn extra mileage, looking more like streetwear shorts than swim—bonus points if your pair has subtle pockets and a matte finish.
Winter isn’t a no-go either, especially if you’re training, travelling, or hitting an indoor pool. Throw your boardshorts over compression shorts for warmth and coverage when you’re on early morning runs to the ocean, or pack them as your one-and-done travel short—lightweight, fast-drying, and easy to rinse out in a hotel sink. Layer with a heavyweight hoodie, beanie, and a water-resistant jacket if the weather turns. If you’re somewhere sunny year-round (lucky), the formula stays the same—just add a long-sleeve tee for that early breeze and peel back as the day heats up.
Caring for them keeps the rotation strong. Rinse after salt or chlorine, hang to dry, and skip the high heat. The fabrics are made to bounce back fast, so they’re ready when you are.
Why Cotton On? We design men’s boardshorts that feel good on and do good where we can, with recycled materials in the mix, flexible fits, and details that make your day easier. Born on Aussie beaches, made for real life—swim, skate, brunch, couch, repeat. Find your new favourite pair of men’s shorts, boardshorts, swim shorts, and beach shorts in colours and prints that match your mood, then wear them your way, all day.
