Boardshorts: Why I'm opting for the controversial swim shorts in summer 2025

Boardshorts: Why I'm opting for the controversial swim shorts in summer 2025.

Every year, I rewatch the surfing movie "Blue Crush" to get in the summer spirit. If you haven't seen the 2002 film starring Kate Bosworth and Michelle Rodriguez, it's about three roommates in Oahu, Hawaii, one of whom (Bosworth) is preparing for an important surfing competition. The film has everything a summer rom-com should have—a love story , lots of drama, and some seriously good 2000s looks .

If you're looking for swimwear inspiration, the looks from "Blue Crush" are perfect for you. The long swim shorts are worn with absolutely everything—from bikini tops to T-shirts. I've always had a soft spot for the colorful board shorts from the film, even though they currently have a pretty bad reputation. And I can (sort of) understand the stigma. The first image that springs to mind is of guys wearing long swim shorts, surfboard in hand, saying things like, "Hang loose, bruhhh." The shorts are often baggy and reach above the knee; they're not exactly dressy. But I love the fashion challenge—and when styled correctly, I actually find board shorts pretty chic.

Well-known fashion houses seem to agree with me. Last spring, Miu Miu launched a heavily surf-inspired collection, pairing board shorts with structured blazers, flip-flops, and sunglasses—exactly how I would wear them. While the look was reminiscent of the beach , it was surprisingly elegant in this combination. Chanel's Resort 2020 collection also reimagined surfer-style swim shorts in summery white, alienating them from their usual vibe with a striped sweater and a pink backpack.

Sure, miniskirts and denim shorts are always on trend in summer, but well-styled board shorts are nothing to be sniffed at either. Just keep in mind that the current trend is to style them with an unexpected top. You can wear them at the beach; but they look even cooler in the city. And if you're still not convinced... check out "Blue Crush" first.

This article originally appeared on Vogue.com .

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