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Outerknown
Outerknown, a clothing brand co-founded by pro-surfer Kelly Slater, makes effortless and casual beach styles rooted in sustainability and transparency.
Over 90% of Outerknown's products are made from organic, recycled, or regenerated materials. The company's manufacturing partners also follow strict guidelines of safety and working conditions.
We've tried a total of 15 men's and women's styles from the brand over the past two years. Below, you'll find pictures of how we styled our picks and what to consider before ordering.
Outerknown should be top of mind for anyone who cares about the environment and is looking for surf lifestyle-inspired essentials.
Professional surfer Kelly Slater has spent most of his life smashing the competition and winning a record 11 World Titles. But there's another venture tied to his love for surf that has also been occupying his time.
In 2014, he left his sponsorship from surfwear giant Quiksilver to start his own surf brand, Outerknown.
Outerknown/Instagram
The principles that define Outerknown
Slater, a longtime advocate for sustainable living, wanted to create a lifestyle brand for everyone that was rooted in good design and sustainable production. He partnered with designer John Moore to make this idea a reality. Moore says, "We're surfers who grew up with surf brands, but we grew out of logos. And we want to wear clothing that's made better and looks better."
That means using sustainable materials (over 90% of Outerknown's products are made from organic, recycled, or regenerated materials) as well as using transparent and responsible manufacturing partners, who follow strict guidelines of safety and working conditions by the Fair Labor Association (FLA), Bluesign, and Fair Trade.
This commitment to sustainability and transparency means you're going to pay more than usual for the clothing. Men's shirts, for example, range from $78 to $148.
Slater points out to Business Insider, however, that "conscious development takes time and investment. There are added costs in creating quality product made to last, in finding and partnering with the right factories that value worker well-being, and in sourcing and leveraging materials that cause less harm."
"At the end of the day, we're looking at the long run and what's best 'For People and Planet.' We're putting in the work to build a truly sustainable model rather than zeroing in on short-term trends or financials," he says.
Outerknown/Instagram
The vibe of its clothes
Casual, effortless beach style defines Outerknown. As you shop its men's and women's styles, you can practically feel the cool and salty breeze run through your hair. They're casual and low-maintenance, but they don't look sloppy or haphazard.
Bestsellers from the brand include the cozy, heavyweight Blanket Shirt ($148, made from 100% organic cotton) and the simple, sleek Neptune Tank Dress ($98, made from hemp and Tencel Lyocell). Other offerings include sweaters, pants, and jumpsuits. They're soft, comfortable, and importantly, durable.
Senior reporter Owen Burke says: "Having spent a good deal of my life in and amongst the surfing community, it's hard not to want to love Outerknown from the start. Doing my best to be an objective reporter, I've scrutinously worn Outerknown for over six months, and I've run the brand's shirts and pants through my treacherously cheap washing machine countless times. So far, I haven't even turned up so much as a loose thread."
Over the last year, we've tried a range of Outerknown's men's and women's clothing (15 styles in total). Read on for our thoughts below, plus pictures of how we wore each item.
Most polo shirts are more or less the same, save for the branding and colors, but Outerknown manages to offer a completely unique take with its Hightide Terry Polo. Just like your favorite beach towel, this shirt features a terry cloth material, which is made from 80% organic cotton and 20% recycled polyester.
The material along with its relaxed fit make it one of the most comfortable polos I've worn. It's a bit thicker than a typical cotton or linen shirt, but you'll appreciate the slightly heavier weight and moisture-wicking material if you spend a lot of time at the beach or outdoors.
Typically, I'd only wear corduroy in the fall or winter, but Outerknown's ability to take unexpected materials and make them work well gave me the confidence to try these. It's worth noting that the Seventyseven Cord Utility Shorts are made from a summer weight corduroy, so they're not heavy and warm like the corduroy you're probably thinking about.
My favorite part of these shorts is the oversized utility-style front pockets. The inseam length is also perfect — it falls above the knee, but not too high up. —Amir Ismael, senior reporter
If my closet caught fire and there was only enough time for me to grab one outfit, this sweatsuit would be it. The oversized sweatshirt is as comfortable as they come, with a terry-cloth-like inner that never overheats and a worn-in outer that gives it an extra cozy touch. The sweatshirt has a pocket for your hands, and the pants have a drawstring but lack the classic bulky pockets of most sweatpants.
If you must have pockets in your sweats, then skip this pair. But if that's not a dealbreaker, you won't regret buying these. They're made of the same material as the sweatshirt, which is great for cool or warm days, and especially nice after coming out of the freezing cold ocean. I recommend sizing down if you tend to be in-between sizes. I usually wear a size 8-10 and I opted for a large in both styles, but I definitely could have sized down in the pants. —Sally Kaplan, senior editor
I probably wear this dress once a week. It's silky soft, breezy, and lightweight, not to mention flattering. It's made from 63% organic cotton and 37% silk, making it durable enough for casual wear so you won't have to worry about being too delicate with it. At the same time, it feels wonderful and luxurious on your skin. I also love the look and airiness of the back criss-cross ties.
I've accidentally thrown it in the washer and dryer and it came out perfectly fine, but I'd still err on the side of caution and hand wash it if you can. A piece like this, you'll want to keep for a while. —Connie Chen, senior reporter
I'm still waiting to test Outerknown's new Apex Trunks, but I've been surfing and fishing in these Woolaroo shorts for about a year, and they are worth knowing about.
If you're familiar with Birdwell Beach Britches' classic nylon baggies, which have been on this planet about twice as long as I have, then you can pretty safely compare these to those where durability is concerned.
On the other hand, these are wool — 100% certified Australian Merino Wool — and they're much, much softer. They're also somewhat breathable, and they dry a good deal faster, too (though they're still far from quick-dry board shorts, mind you). The edges are still a bit rougher and the seams are thicker than ultra-lightweight synthetic board shorts.
The Woolaroos are modestly cut above the knee, scallop-hemmed, and subtle in all regards, which is an approach that can be harder to find than you might think. They're also, as you might assume based on who's behind them, perfectly cut for surfing. A lot of board shorts are cut below the knee, and while that style offers a bit more protection from the sun, it can tend to get in your way, too.
The Woolaroos have no stretch, but because they're cut a little shorter, you really don't need it. The only downside with these shorts is that there's only one (back) pocket, so if you're looking for more of a hybrid pair, and less of a heavy-duty pair, you might look elsewhere. But keep in mind more pockets means more drag in the water when surfing.
Otherwise, these are built to outlive all the rest, and surfers and beach dwellers alike can do no better, especially paired with the new Cheer X Outerknown non-neoprene wetsuit top (above), which is what you'll see me using all summer at the beaches around New York. —Owen Burke, senior reporter
As far as summer sweaters go, you won't find one better than this sleeveless tunic, which can be worn with jeans, shorts, or even a bathing suit at the beach. It's lightweight and airy thanks to the side slits and loose-stitched knit, both of which allow the breeze to flow through the fabric. This is the piece I reach for when I want to look polished and effortless, as opposed to my usual summer vibe which is nothing short of Sweaty Swamp Monster.
I found this sweater to be true to size. I'm wearing a large above, and it's definitely got a swingy, oversized fit to it — but that's what I personally like. You could probably stand to size down if you want a slightly closer fit. —Sally Kaplan, senior editor
Of course, I had to take this pair of 'Beach Pants' to the beach. I wore them as a swimsuit cover-up when I went to Coney Island last summer, and they turned out to be the right choice — lightweight, breathable, and relaxed. My legs had plenty of room to move around in the wide pant legs and they had a comfortable high-rise fit. The back of the waistband has elastic, which is smart considering I filled my body with Nathan's hot dogs while on the boardwalk.
The white pair is slightly transparent, so I'm not sure you could wear it outside of a beach, beach town, or lounging setting, but it is a perfect choice in those casual environments. —Connie Chen, senior reporter
Blanket Shirt
Lèhå Edwards Brownson, courtesy of Owen Burke/Business Insider
While I'm a big fan of its Transitional Shirts and the S.E.A. Jeans, my favorite pieces from Outerknown have been the Blanket Shirts. These are Outerknown's iteration of a "work shirt" or "shacket," as you please, but they maintain their softness and don't pill like many other higher-end rivals.
There's nothing like getting out of the water on a brisk evening and tossing one of these on while I change out of a wetsuit. And, of course, I can stroll right back into town feeling fresh — and warm — as a daisy.
$148 is no pittance, but this isn't your fast-fashion, wear-for-one-season shirt, and you do get what you pay for with Outerknown. Bravo, Kelly Slater and John Moore, for making a line of conscientiously sourced-and-made clothes from start to finish. I'd say I'd keep buying these shirts for years to come, but because of the craftsmanship that goes into them, I know I'll do just fine with the two I've got for the foreseeable future. —Owen Burke, senior reporter
As thick and heavy as the Outerknown Blanket Shirt may be, it actually has great versatility throughout the seasons. It's good for late summer nights on cool and breezy beaches, layering in the fall and winter, or even leaving at your desk when it's cold in the office.
The relaxed fit makes it comfortable to wear, but if you want it to be more fitted, I'd recommend sizing down. I'm 5-foot-5 and about 140 pounds, and the size small was slightly oversized (I had to cuff the sleeves for a better fit). Here, I styled mine with a Brooklinen T-shirt, black jeans, and Tread by Everlane sneakers.
At $148, the Blanket Shirt is at the higher end of what I'd spend on a shirt, but it's so well made you'll be able to wear it for years on end. —Amir Ismael, senior reporter
I generally don't wear color, but something about this green midi dress really caught my eye. I love that the straps are adjustable — I'm 5-foot-1, but I have a large chest that often requires me to size up, which means straps are usually too long for me. The ties on this dress allow me to get a custom fit, and the length is perfect on my frame. —Sally Kaplan, senior editor
The Station Jumpsuit is utilitarian, cool, and very fun to style thanks to its front zipper, sleeves that you can roll up or leave down, and tapered silhouette. It's tough and functional, but you can also make it look more casual or dressed up, making its $180 price tag feel more justified.
It's made from 51% organic cotton and 49% linen, resulting in an instantly comfortable feel from the very first wear. Right now, NYC weather is a little too hot and muggy for me to wear the suit without overheating, but I can't wait to live in it during fall and winter. —Connie Chen, senior reporter
Having worn plenty of jeans over the years, I went into testing Outerknown's $168 Selvedge denim with high expectations — and they actually exceed them. The jeans have that hefty weight and rigidity you'd expect from well-made selvedge denim and handsome brass and nickel hardware on the rivets and buttons. The fact that Outerknown was able to achieve quality this significant while still being considerate of the environment is truly impressive.
Craftsmanship aside, the S.E.A Jeans are simply great-fitting pants, and for me, that's super important. I had no problem styling these jeans with casual shoes like the Wu-Tang x Clarks Wallabees I'm wearing or sportier sneakers.
The jeans are available in every waist sizes from 28-38 and inseams 30, 32, and 34, so most guys will find a pair that fits them well with no alterations. —Amir Ismael, senior reporter
The S.E.A. Slim Fit Selvedge Jeans have, far and away, become my favorite raw denim jeans. They're sturdy yet tidy, and I can pull them off dressed up or down for just about anywhere and anything as needed, short of a black tie dinner (not that you'd ever find me at one). —Owen Burke, senior reporter
This top is so flowy and perfect for summer. It's made from organic cotton spun to be exceptionally thin and lightweight, so you can feel the breeze even when you're fully covered up. I love tucking it into jeans for a casual look I can pull off at work or on the weekends.
It comes in six colors, but I will say the lighter ones are slightly sheer, so choose your undergarments accordingly. —Sally Kaplan, senior editor
Featherlight and airy, these pants will serve you well on a scorcher. The color also does wonders to conceal any spillage that might take place at an outdoor barbecue, though that's another story that probably says more about me than these pants.
There's nothing like seersucker in summer, and the slight bit of linen (20%) worked into them mostly pays off. I'd prefer them to be 100% linen, especially at this price, but the fact that they're sourcing organic cotton (at least for 64% of the pants — the rest is 16% pesticide-reliant cotton) and corozo (tagua palm nuts) for buttons mostly makes up for it.
In the end, they're sturdier than my all-linen pants that ring up the same bill, and I imagine they'll last longer. Again, you get what you pay for with Outerknown. —Owen Burke, senior reporter
This cropped top is sweet, breezy, and easy to wear. You can tuck it into a skirt or pair of pants, or let it flow loosely over your body. It features touches that are both stylish and practical, like the shoulder ties, which let you get a customized fit, and the elastic at the top, which prevents the chest area from gaping. —Connie Chen, senior reporter