Surf Clothing And Accessories From Fad To Fashion • 07.11.10
Back in the 1950s, surfing was an almost unknown sport. Then, in the 1960s, everything changed. Surfing captured the imagination of a new, post war generation and almost overnight, a whole new fashion crave began. Surf clothing went from being just having a pair of baggy swimming trunks to a fashion statement. What caused the change?
No, it was not the Beach Boys who first popularized surfing. In 1957, a man wrote a short book about his daughter, who was one of the first surfer girls. Called \”Gidget\”, the book went on to become a hit movie in 1959. That was where it all really began.
Starring superstars Sandra Dee, James Darren and Cliff Robertson, the movie featured handsome young athletes, bikini-clad girls, lots of action and a hit soundtrack. It was all about the Malibu surfing community and made surfing look like what most surfers would agree it really is – the ultimate lifestyle.
The popularity of that movie led to many more imitators. In pop music, surf music became huge, with groups like Jan and Dean and the Beach Boys making in to Number One on the charts. About the only teenagers who didn\’t like their music were surfers, who really preferred to keep their sport to themselves. Instead, they listened to the music of bands like Dick Dale and the Ventures. The fast-paced guitar licks in instrumentals like \”Perfidia\” and \”Walk, Don\’t Run\” were what they listened to before they tackled the waves.
There was no stopping the tidal wave of interest in surfing, though. In just a few short years, surfing had gone from nowhere to mainstream. Suddenly the beaches were filled with surfers and where they couldn\’t surf, young people wore surfing fashions and dreamed of riding the waves.
Other than bikinis, Hawaiian shirts and men\’s surfing trunks, there really was nothing to define surf wear in those days. Surfwear evolved over a number of years and eventually, many surf-clothing brands emerged, some of which are among the giants in the clothing industry today.
Surfwear is not just for surfers anymore. You can find it in the most far-flung corners of the world. From the limited apparel of the sixties, the range of surfing related clothing and accessories has grown to include all kinds of men\’s and women\’s clothing, shoes and even watches and jewelry. Today, you can be dressed for any occasion in surfing brands and styles.
Gidget must be proud of her legacy, but she may be bewildered, as well. How could she have imagined that surfers today enjoy million dollar contracts with surf clothing companies and are counted amongst the world\’s sports superstars? Believe it or not, Gidget, that\’s what\’s happened!
Get wonderful deals on surf clothes by heading online. There you will find the many choices for surf clothing that you have to choose between. Head online today.

