Did ‘Team USA Surfing’ Just Win Best Dressed At the Olympics Before It’s Even Started?

Presented by Oakley.

Oakley’s surf heritage is proper. 

Sure they’ve dipped in and out of surf apparel over the years (remember when they poached Dingo Morrison from Volcom – boy was that was that a coup!), but there’s been ‘O’ stickers on the rails (and Oakley frames on the beaks) of some of our pinnacle athletes since the brand released the iconic Frogskin in 1985.

Therefore, Oakley gracing the backs of the brave men and women surfers of Team USA (as the “Official Outfitter of the US surfing team”) for the 2024 Olympics is a perfect marriage. And Oakley’s bespoke Team USA Offshore collection, freshly dropped, is a past/present/future masterstroke. 

Surfing gracing the Olympics was undoubtedly a triumph, but some of us harboured concerns re: some of the ungainly team kits over the years (to be fair to Australians, Green and Gold are terrible colours) making our realest look like dorks. After all, surfing’s originally a counter-culture based on having impeccable style, both in and out of the water.

The men and women wave-riders of TEAM USA (“all the way!”) however, needn’t worry. Because boy have Oakley put their best foot forward with their exclusive ‘Oakley Team USA Offshore Collection’. Tahiti’s the location, so we’re talking blazing sun, barometer-smashing humidity and long days bobbing on boats in the wind, watching and waiting. 

With that in mind, Oakley have poured decades of R&D (seriously, these guys live that innovation life) into addressing the precise conditions likely to face their athletes. Landing on a mix of pieces fit for all conditions, in a style that’s a delightful marriage of classic silhouettes and modern materials. I’m getting notes of the America’s Cup at its ’90s peak, a little classic American varsity Ralph, and a whole lot of Oakley doing what they’ve been doing — in my humble opinion — better than anyone recently: shoving the boat out and having some damn fun with it. How many other heritage brands would’ve given the keys to their vault to some zany upstarts like Brain Dead and said, “Do your thing you beautiful weirdos“? Or something to that effect.

We should probably start with the two-in-one men’s trunks and range of women’s compression bra/trunk/skirt(!?) options, as that’s what they athletes will be wearing in the water, but you can’t look past the windbreaker. Anyone up to sartorial speed in 2024 knows that blending old and new, tech and comfort is king — and wow, is that zip-up a hallmark piece. The fit, the colour scheme – “Inspired by ocean colours and reflections,” according to Oakley Creative Director Massimo Nicosia, and especially the detailing, really elevating the piece. The hint of vintage crushed effect on the select panels, in synch with the O-shaped armpit vents, extended sun protection hood and all the toggles you’d expect from the world’s most revered gorp brand? Elite.

Furthermore, the two-tone men’s trunks are a creative take on the theme of Olympic Team boardshort. The patterns and subtle branding (USA and O) work nicely in conjunction with the tech-forward under-layer, the effect highlighting the deft use of textures throughout the range to break up what can be pretty mono-tonal Olympic gear, depending on your nation’s traditional colours.

Presumably the women have a choice of fits that they can wear in the drink — there’s a mix of compression bra, rash top/trunks/bottoms — but the whole women’s outerwear fit is a fine blend of strong feminine-outlines and tech. Complete with a multilayer skirt, and even an added belt option to give the whole fit more shape if desired. Not to mention the practicality of multiple layers and materials to be adjusted as conditions dictate.

Moving along the rack, the poncho’s beautifully simple, the technical cap with the wavy blue peak pattern is a personal highlight, and, smart devils as they are, Oakley have flashed their distinct brush over every detail of the range. Meaning that even if some cheeky sod does try and pull a ’92 MJ on the podium and cover the O, we’ll still know who sent them.

Which brave men and women will conquer Teahupo’o with the most skill and finesse is anyone’s guess. But Team USA are sure as hell going to be best dressed in the channel, village and the South Pacific. Take it from Caity Simmers…

Yankee Doodle or not, get your mitts on some tier one gear here.