Suits, Surf & Sand

As Novocastrians, we have always been proud of our iconic beaches and surf breaks, and are lucky to live in a bustling city that still offers a relaxed lifestyle, right by the ocean. In celebration of Surfest, Australia’s largest surfing festival which is on in Newcastle from the 2nd February to 17th March, we have put together the Suits, Surf & Sand editorial. Showcasing how to incorporate beach culture fashion into your work wardrobe through floral patterned shirts and accessories and textured and natural fibre garments.

If you are the one of Newcastle’s many business men who indulge in an early morning surf before work, or utilise your lunch break to surf a great break – this is a must-read!

A Celebration of Surfest

Here in Newcastle, we have plenty to be proud about, especially when it comes to our picturesque beaches. And we are not the only ones to be impressed by our unique coastal waters, with Merewether Beach being crowned a national surfing reserve in 2009 and in 2018 crowned “Best City Beach in Australia”.

Surfest celebrates the beauty of Newcastle’s beaches to people from outside the region and has since become Australia’s largest surfing festival since its launch in 1985, when some hard-working Novocastrians wanted to rid the city of it’s industrial image and bring our beach culture to the forefront.

This year’s 34th Surfest has attracted the worlds best surfers once again, to light up Merewether Beach. Newcastle’s overwhelming hospitality and distinct seasonal North-Easterly swells have brought in true stars in the surfing world such as Billy Stairmand and Anat Lelior who took out the Burton Automotive Pro International Trials last weekend. “It’s just amazing to be in Australia,” says Leilor, taking in the Newcastle lifestyle. Surfest 2019 has been an amazing testament to what Newcastle has to offer so far, and we are looking forward to all the excitement of the closing weekend as Surfest comes to its end this Sunday.

While Surfest highlights surfing culture in Newcastle during February and March, it is something that is present all year round in our beach-side city, and for good reason! Living in Newcastle we are blessed with beautiful beaches only a short walk form the CBD, making for the ideal work/life balance. An early morning surf before work or taking a long lunch to hit the waves would not be out of the question with the accessibility of our beaches to the city – and the benefits of this are great. Surfing gives you balance – not just on the board, but in a busy lifestyle as well! It not only provides a well deserved break, but also is great for both your physical and mental health.

In celebration of Surfest and Newcastle’s unique lifestyle, we have put together Suits, Surf & Sand, an editorial shoot showcasing how to blend beach culture fashion into your work wardrobe. Floral patterned shirts and accessories give that “just stepped off the beach” vibe, while textured and natural fibre garments provide you with breathable suiting, perfect for all year round comfort.

Bring Natural Fibres into your Work Wardrobe

The key to dressing impeccably and incorporating beach feel into your work outfits is breathable, flexible fabrics. Bring natural fibres into your work wardrobe with wool suits, linen sports coats and cotton shirts that will keep you feeling fresh all day.

Josh wears Wolf Kanat Hearts grey window pane suit and Hardy Amies purple, navy & white check shirt with Abelard fuschia tie, James Harper daschaund lapel and Bluckle belt in black.

Josh wears Studio Italia Icon Blue suit and Hardy Amies blue and pink check shirt with Carlo Visconti navy textured tie and Buckle belt in black.

Josh wears Studio Italia Morgan grey with blue window pane suit and Studio Italia pale blue shirt with James Harper Flamingo pocket square and Buckle belt in black.

Incorporate Beach Culture with Floral Patterns

Bring a bit of the beach with you into the office, your next social engagement or wedding by incorporating floral patterns into your look. These floral patterned shirts and accessories are sure to make an impression and add a beachy vibe to your outfit.

Josh wears Satch Enzo fawn check sportscoat, Geoffrey Beene white bodyfit shirt and James Harper Pebble Chino with James Harper floral pocket square and Buckle belt in tan.

Josh wears Studio Italia Icon Black suit, James Harper mini floral berry print shirt and Louis Cheval black tie with James Harper bug multi-colour lapel pin, Buckle Belt in black and Florsheim Shoes.

Josh wears Milano Workshop grey suit and James Harper Kent wavy lines shirt with James Harper pink patterned pocket square and James Harper pink and white floral lapel pin and Buckle belt in black.

Casual Outfits That Will Have You Looking On Point

Never feel too far away from the sea, but still maintain a professional business look with these relaxed, casual outfits that will have you looking on point from the office to after-work social gatherings and weekend barbeques. And of course, don’t forget to keep your wetsuit in the car so you can squeeze in a surf in-between!

Josh wears Calvin Klein Ink blazer, New England Earl navy chino and Geoffrey Beene white bodyfit shirt with James Harper blue and pink stripe tie, James Harper pink and blue rabbit print pocket square and Buckle belt in tan.