Women’s Surf Apparel SS16 Trend Report

Rhythm

Summer, Sunshine, Surfing Vibes!

Everything seems just a tad easier in the summertime. Longer days offer more time to pay your dues at work and follow your passions. More opportunities to go outdoors bring more fun times with and without friends. And warmer temperatures mean less need to cover skin up and hence less hassle to think about what to wear… especially for the ladies. And what could reflect summer vibes better than clothes you’d wear by the beach? No matter where you are, surf apparel can instantly get you that holiday-feeling and catapult you into vacation mood. If only there weren’t myriads of choices to sift through. This trend report by Anna Langer offers some help.

Even though needing less clothes means less hassle to think about putting an outfit together, the various styles, silhouettes and trends can make summer dressing a mission too. From “dreamy 1970s nostalgia” (Volcom), to “laid back tomboy styling with a tropical twist” (Animal), travelling (Roxy) and road trips (Urban Beach), “Rebel Pack” vibes in black and white from Protest and Billabong’s Designer Closet collection, “with tinted sharp styles of printed black and white palm, denim and a hint of shiny gold”, there are almost endless choices to suit every heart’s content. 

BEACH STYLE
With collections designed for being at the beach, it’s no surprise that a lot of inspiration is taken from there. Rip Curl even send their design team out to The Search destination Tulum in Mexico to gather inspiration, which they channelled into a collection reflecting “the wild jungle and the hippy life. We discovered a beach life really linked with nature and so the designs are made for going to the beach – or thinking about it,” says Valerie Wieser, Head of Design for Girls. Urban Beach also embark on an “exotic surf adventure down to the wild and tropical shores of Copacabana Beach.”

Of course all kinds of tropical prints and colours fit perfectly with that theme and can be found in most Surf Apparel collections next year. “In tribute to the ever popular floral trend, which appears across every type of garment this season, Jungle injects a vintage Hawaiian feel, full of stunning greens and photographic prints of exotic plants, leaves and flowers,” says Anjet Wesselink, Head of Marketing at Protest. Marie Lauga, Global Head of Design for Roxy adds that “floral and Hawaiian patterns have always been part of the Roxy DNA and will also be present this season.” Urban Beach work with “bold saturated colours and juicy graphics straight from a tropical jungle” and “incorporate orchids, the national flower of Brazil.” Brunotti also think that “bright and tropical prints are vital for a summery feel,” although Billabong feature a black and white palm leaf print in their Designer’s Closet Capsule, next to “floral prints slightly faded by the sun for a romantic look.” Volcom approach this classic with their native twist: “Traditional tropical prints are hacked and chopped into various parts and pieced back together again in the form of a geometric jigsaw,” explains Kristy Michaels, Head Women’s Designer.

Roxy

BOHO GYPSY VIBES
Since surfing involves a lot of traveling, the bohemian gypsy vibe that has been popular for some seasons now has a nice natural tie to the whole topic as well, that continues to be featured in most lines. Billabong add a “jade floral print for a bohemian spirit” to their Mystic Mama theme, Rhythm draws inspiration from Persia and “ethnic tiled textures and patterns,” and Roxy add embellishments to their sporty styles that “feel new although they were inspired by caftans and 70s beach culture textile.” Protest invite their customers “to travel the ancient Silk Road with our Caravansary theme – inspired by the large gatherings of traveling traders to rest and exchange cultures as they made their way along the trade routes,” says Anjet and also Animal is following the “Bohemian Dream: living free with a love for all things Bohemian and Gypset – monochromes with neon flashes used in bold festival inspired graphics and a nod to vintage on the styling,” explains Lucy Seaman, Women’s and Girl’s Wear Design Manager. Urban Beach goes for a “cool classic range of grown up bohemian pieces with vintage detailing,” says Designer Emma Watkiss.

RETRO INSPO
Inspiration from the 70s already plays into the boho theme and is expanded on its own in 2016. “Our collection brings you back to a time where the swagger was effortless and the style proved to be timeless,” promises Volcom’s Kristy, “a retro fresh vibe mixed with relaxed styling is perfect for the sand or the street.” Valerie from Rip Curl even names the “long skirt” worn by “the gypsy girl” as a must-have of the season, referencing “all the revival of 70s gypsy life on the catwalks.” Billabong revisit “80s surf culture” with “all-over tropical vintage, hibiscus and white and black geo prints” and comfortable pieces, that are “suited to coastal lifestyle and very easy to wear.” Animal also “nod to vintage with crochet long line knits and fringing” in their Sunday Festival theme. For Cali-based Baja, whose “original inspiration” for their pullovers came “from 70’s Baja California”, the vintage vibe is rather natural – and timeless. “In the evening after surf or in the city, you need a comfortable and fresh looking pullover – and that is where the Baja hoodie is perfect” states founder Janne Karjula.

Volcom

SHIFTING SILHOUETTES
To facilitate a comfortable beach lifestyle, silhouettes are “fluttery” (Nikita), “relaxed and drapey, but breezy but also feminine” (Brunotti) and “elaborate” (Roxy). Dresses play an important role for all brands and themes, as usual, and range from mini (Volcom), through asymmetric (Billabong) and “simple relaxed shift style dresses” to the already mentioned maxi versions.

Other looks include “tanks that can work as a top or a coverup” (Nikita), “halter necklines and flared bottoms” (Volcom), “little boardwalk shorts” (Rip Curl), rompers in all variations as well as “loose smock style top shapes” and “jackets with added detailing” (Rhythm). Maria from Roxy adds: “We saw an evolution in the market with the use of sport codes in very feminine products. We do not hesitate to mix a very elaborated top in light fabric with a casual beach pant and a nice bag or a really cute romper with a loose cardigan and a straw hat.”

TEXTURED FABRICS
All the boho, retro and gypsy inspiration is complimented with “romantic crochet and lace detailing” (Volcom), jacquard, chambray and gauze fabrics that add details and texture. Roxy have even dedicated a part of their collection to “Market textures” that are “all about soft loomed woven, jacquard prints and blanket stripes” and “elevated with artisanal textures,” Maria elaborates.

Apart from that, “Spring/Summerweight fabrics” are most sought after for the warmer part of the year, “from cotton/poly blends to our supersoft rayon from bamboo” explains Vicki Vasil from Nikita. Rip Curl work with viscose to “bring more fluidity to tees and dresses” and have added a “new viscose fleece that is a special development from our supplier in Portugal and brings a cool, soft touch and feminine fluid look,” says Valerie. Billabong also implement “light viscose and cotton for fluid effects,” as do Rhythm with a “variety of lightweight soft cottons and cotton blends in wovens and jersey,” says Girls Brand Manager Daniella Ciano. Animal have a “brushed lightweight fleece, slubs, cotton modals and cotton acrylic mix knits” in store.

Nikita

COLOUR ME BRIGHT
While Baja add a “wider variety” of colours to their line, most other brands agree on a sunkist-inspired palette with everything from “bright coral, pastel orange and fresh red” (Rip Curl), “sunrise shades of peachy sun kiss, blossom and lilac” (Rhythm), “bright and warm hibiscus, powerful jade, some retro colours like gold dust rustic rose” (Billabong) to “soft rose, grey” and “pops of berry and pink” (Nikita).

Portraying the other spectrum of surf culture that is connected to all things water, aqua shades have their place as well, even combined. “Faded shades of burnt sienna, soy and bleached aqua are used to frame the vibrant hues of fire red, tidal blue, and orange glow” states Volcom’s Kristy and Maria agrees that at Roxy they “notice the importance of deep sea blue and shades of washed mint green, counterbalanced by splashes of orange and tomato.” Rhythm also sport “indigo blues”, Protest implement “blues with fresh accents” and Brunotti feature blues in a “tie and dye all overprint, a bright tropical multi colour allover” and “fresh surfy colour group with laguna mint green and fluro rosa.”

HIGHTLIGHTS
Relaxed & drapey feminine silhouettes
Sunkist & water shades
Boho Gypsy Styling
Floral Prints

Baja