Boardshorts, Classic Surfing Attire

H. Miura Store (1912-2005)
Boardshorts, c.1960s
Cotton, plain weave, printed
Purchase (2019-19-01)

Bathing suits, swim trunks, surf shorts, baggies, boardies, or Jams—whatever some call them, boardshorts are the unofficial uniform of the surfer. Born in the home of surfing, boardshorts were originally, in the 1950s, custom made by clothing and dry goods stores in Hale‘iwa, Waikīkī, and Mākaha. Boardshorts were designed for fit and comfort to maximize the wave-riding experience. Various fabrics were used, sometimes in combination, with the different textiles meeting the needs of speed, comfort, flexibility, and durability.

These classic boardshorts from the 1960s were made by H. Miura Store in Hale‘iwa, a town on the North Shore of O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. The store opened in 1912 and closed its doors in 2005. In their later years, they were renowned for their fitted surfing shorts and their record books held the measurements of many surfers.

H. Miura Store (1912-2005)
Boardshorts, c.1960s
Cotton, plain weave, printed
Purchase (2019-19-01)

These shorts are of a reverse print plain weave cotton, meaning that the visible fabric is muted compared to the brighter bolder print visible on the inside. They are lined with white fabric for comfort. The waistband has an inside coconut button and the fly uses a hook and loop fastener; both these features ensure that the surfboard doesn’t get scratched while being paddled out into the surf. There is a pocket at the right rear hip and small pocket at the front right waistband. The fitted waistband with darts in the rear help the shorts stay on, should the wearer experience a wipeout. One would hate to lose their shorts after a massive wipeout during the big waves of the winter surf.

-E. Tory Laitila, Curator of Textiles and Fashion