How to recognise it
A waist with no elastic, closed with hook-and-loop and laced at the front, loose legs to mid-thigh or the knee, a tough quick-drying fabric and no mesh liner.
Where it comes from
They appeared in the 1950s in Hawaii and California, when surfers needed shorts that would not slip off in the waves or rub on the board.
Who and when it suits
For the beach, surfing, water sports and holidays. You can wear them in the water and at the beach bar.
Variations and look-alikes
Board shorts come plain, in Hawaiian prints, striped, longer to the knee or shorter, in four-way stretch, and with a key pocket. They differ from swim trunks in length and a laced front with no elastic, and from cargo shorts in their quick-drying fabric.
How to style it
- Tie the lace firmly.
- Rinse in fresh water after the sea.
- Dry in the shade.
- With a linen shirt at the bar.
Similar styles
Frequently asked
01How do board shorts differ from swim trunks?
Board shorts are longer with no elastic or mesh liner; swim trunks are shorter with elastic.
02Why are they laced at the front?
So they stay put in the waves and do not slip off.
03Can you swim in board shorts?
Yes, they are made for water and dry quickly.
04How long are board shorts?
Usually 45–55 cm from the waist, to the knee or just above.