Blue Crush was pretty much my permanent summer mood [1] in the early 2000s [2]. At least, it had all the vibes I wanted to be channelling (or maybe thought I was channelling). Even though I'll never forget the way Anne Marie Chadwick looked in her plunging black dress that she wears for a romantic evening with Matt at the hotel, she seemed way more natural in her everyday surfer gear.
Anne Marie's friends Eden and Lena, and little sister Penny, always hung by her side in similar triangle bikinis with splashy tropical prints and board shorts. They all wore beaded and woven rope seashell necklaces and bracelets, moving effortlessly in and out of the waves like it was some easy old thing.
While I can't say Kate Bosworth [3] and Michelle Rodriguez convinced me that surfing is a breeze, they did teach me a thing or two about summer style — more specifically, to always let my sporty side show. While swimwear trends [4] may come and go, staying true to the basics that make you feel most confident is an absolute must.
Though I tried out a lot of these looks for the first time simply because I was inspired by the cast of Blue Crush, I've maintained a lot of them through the years because I do love the casualness that comes with that inimitable surfer girl aesthetic [5]. Truth be told, you'll never find me without the nine pieces below, even in the winter — because I'm always ready to hang ten go on holiday.
An Ankle Bracelet
Something beachy that looks good with bikinis.
Roxanne Assoulin Pansy Crystal Anklet
Roxanne Assoulin Pansy Crystal Anklet [7] ($90)
Hipster Brief Bikini Bottoms
Anne Marie looked particularly cool in this style.
Aerie Hipster Bikini Bottom
Aerie Hipster Bikini Bottom [8] ($14, originally $20)
The Perfect Lived-in Cutoffs
Everlane The Cheeky Denim Short
Everlane The Cheeky Denim Short [9] ($58)
A Swim Shirt For More Coverage
OOKIOH Tampa Top
OOKIOH Tampa Top [10] ($49)
A Touch of Camouflage in My Swim Drawer
Dipped In Blue Bikinis Pink Cotton Candy Bikini
Dipped In Blue Bikinis Billie Top in Pink Cotton Candy [11] ($100) and Dipped In Blue Bikinis Billie Bottom Pink in Cotton Candy [12] ($100)
A Braided Shell Necklace
Tohum Longmix Puka Shell Necklace
Tohum Longmix Puka Shell Necklace [13] ($294, originally $420)
Board Shorts
These take your resortwear to new, surfer girl heights.
Madewell Second Wave Board Shorts in Tie-Dye Print
Madewell Second Wave Board Shorts in Tie-Dye Print [14] ($75)
Tropical Prints
Never settle for a swim drawer without a fun print — you never know when you'll be in the mood for something splashy.
Solid + Striped The Sadie Bikini
Solid + Striped The Sadie Top in Oahu Print [15] ($94) and Solid + Striped The Sadie Bottom in Oahu Print [16] ($94)
A Sporty Muscle Tee
This silhouette is seeing a resurgence in our loungewear this year, but I've always thought they were a great way to show off your arms on the beach.
Lululemon Brunswick Muscle Tank
Lululemon Brunswick Muscle Tank [17] ($44)