Even skaters look cool in surf wear!
Image source: Animal
My parents had a habit of dressing me and my brother in lederhosen! The images still give me nightmares. For the sake of the children, please dress your kids in cool clothes.
There are many fashions that look cool on kids, and less likely than lederhosen to haunt them in later years. I personally recommend dressing your kids in surf wear, here’s why:
1. Surf wear encourages kids to become surfers
Little mermaid, dreaming of being a surfer
Image source: Animal
My number one mission in life is for my daughter to become a surfer. We swim every week, play on the beach regularly and brave the small summer waves.
If you want your kid to become a surfer or at least appreciate surf culture, dressing them in t-shirts with cool decals or beach style summer dresses will help. Clothing is closely associated with identity, brainwash them while you can.
2. Sun safe
The majority of surfwear for children will be designed with sun safety in mind. Whether it’s legionnaire hats or UV protective sunsuits, children’s clothing is an essential part of every parent’s sun protection plan.
Whilst wetsuits and clothing offer some sun protection, check the garment labelling for UV protection details. And always use high factor water resistant sun creams on exposed skin.
3. Save money on haircuts
Untamed hair, or at least styled to look that way
Image source: Animal
Most youths are encouraged to have smart hair cuts for school, but bowl cuts or short back and sides are rarely compatible with a surfer look.
So let it go, let your kids hair grow. It’ll save money on haircuts! Those beach blond curls will highlight their beauty and you’ll avoid any arguments at the hairdressers.
4. Friends will respect their threads
Kids can be cruel, especially to each other. If you’re kid wears cool clothes, it’s one less reason for them to get bullied.
They’re never gonna thank you for outrageous designs, or labels that were only cool when you were at school (Hot Tuna). If unsure, visit your local surf shop. They will only sell threads that are down with the kids.
5. Counter culture kids
She’s just a skater girl…
Image source: Animal
Most kids will be dressed in hand me downs and super market fashion. It’s cheap and convenient clothing, but your children’s fashion facade should not be squeezed on to your shopping list between frozen pizza and cat food.
Surfing culture has always followed its own path, independent of mainstream trends. Kids surfwear maintains this tradition, with unique designs and laid back styles. From girl’s tropical parrot print dresses to boy’s shark infested hats, your kids will stand out from a mass produced crowd.
6. Protect their future
Remember how your parents dressed you as a child? Do they have embarrassing photos of you, in hideous outfits, perched upon the mantle piece? Makes you shudder doesn’t it.
Your photos aren’t restricted to the mantle piece anymore. Family photos are digital, and there’s a strong chance they’re on the internet. That means embarrassing photos of your child will last forever and potentially be exposed to a World Wide Web of onlookers.
So if you love your kids and care for their future, think about what you choose to clothe your kids in. I recommend surfwear.
A big thank you to my brother ‘Charlie’, who doesn’t surf but did remind me about the lederhosen. More from him soon.