It may be a bit chilly for a beach day, but still, it’s never too early to start thinking about your spring wardrobe. And if you’re looking to inject a bit of Southern California style, it’s best to look to those that have been doing it for decades.
Birdwell has been doing just that since 1961 when Carrie Birdwell Mann transformed her Southern California home into a sewing room and store to launch Birdwell Beach Britches. Since then, the iconic company has exemplified enduring quality and timeless Southern California heritage. With the four picks below, you’ll be ready for warmer weather and beach days ahead.
Aloha Field Jacket
A field jacket belongs in every closet — it’s versatile, adds some mettle to any outfit and is typically a looser-fitting alternative to a jean jacket. Birdwell’s Aloha Field Jacket is a classic BDU jacket built from cotton poplin (the same material WWII uniforms were fashioned from). It features a removable “ALOHA” patch on the left chest and is reinforced on the interior with hits of Hoffman Tropical Paradise Aloha print for a jacket with plenty of personality.
311 Limited-Edition Aloha Board Shorts
Nearly 60 years ago Birdwell took a durable, unique approach to boardshorts. The 311 Limited-Edition Aloha Board Shorts are a modern take on the original as an homage to Hawaii’s aloha spirit. These medium length boardshorts have a 100 percent cotton lining and back pocket flap made from an original Hoffman California Fabrics print. The gold SurfNyl™ body and the indestructible ripstop poplin waistband bring strength and comfort for the longhaul that can seriously elevate your beach days.
Chambray Work Shirt
The dependable chambray shirt has a long history in America’s wardrobe — and Birdwell’s version does justice to the legacy piece. The Chambray Work Shirt is constructed from the same chambray used for the Birdwell’s iconic 310 Chambray and 311 Sunrise Board Shorts. It even utilizes Birdwell’s orange SurfNyl™ two-ply nylon at the yoke and cuffs, as well as triple and double-reinforced seams in orange and gold, for durability and distinct detailing you won’t find in others.
311 Limited-Edition Evening Glass Board Shorts
More than 50 years of field testing by lifeguards and surfers has seen Ms. Birdwell’s original design subtly transform into the 311 Limited-Edition Evening Glass Board Shorts. Each pair is hand cut from Birdwell’s SurfNyl™ and sewn in California. The triple-tier SurfNyl™ design in three hues of blue mimics the magical color of the ocean fading into a darkening evening sky. A simple button fly combines with a tab closure for an adjustable fit. This modern classic embodies the Southern California vibe to a tee.
