Beach chic: Inside Stephanie Gilmore’s wardrobe

What are three essential items in your wardrobe?
A Roxy bikini: at the moment I’m wearing a triangle one with tie sides in a cool little hibiscus print. My favourite pair of board shorts: I pretty much wear them every day. And a bucket hat: I might look like a raver but it’s good for the beach.

Any go-to jewellery?
I don’t wear too much because I just lose it in the surf, but I’ve got some fun Lucy Folk “Aztec” earrings and a simple chain necklace with a green stone I bought from a little shop in Hawaii. I also wear a gold Breitling Navitimer watch.

What shoes do you wear most often?
Terry-towelling, two-tone blue Roxy slides from my collection. I wear them everywhere, to the beach – they get wet, it doesn’t matter.

Can you remember a favourite outfit from when you were a child?
A Ninja Turtle suit. Also, my wetsuit. We were always at the beach: my dad is a good surfer and while mum wasn’t into it so much, she was very supportive of the whole thing.

And your worst fashion mistake?
Wearing heels that I thought looked cool but were so uncomfortable you could tell I wasn’t feeling confident.

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What was your first fashion moment?
Going to the Met Gala in 2015. The theme was “China: Through the Looking Glass” and I wore a Marchesa gown. It was a wild experience, being among the who’s who of the fashion world. I loved it.

What’s at the top of your fashion wish list?
A Gucci suit would be pretty cool. Or a Saint Laurent suit, tailored for me.

Is there something you’d never wear?
I’m not big on Hervé Léger – that stuff scares me! I wouldn’t be caught dead in a short bandage dress.

Is there a current fashion trend you like?
I love the guys dying their hair different colours, like pink and green. [Actor] Evan Mock and those guys are leading the way. It’s fun.

Who’s your favourite fashion icon?
Diana Vreeland was such a badass. She was about celebrating women and all their imperfections. Also, Rihanna – her style is out-there. She does exactly what she wants to do and doesn’t care what everyone thinks.

What do you wear when you compete?
I mix it up. At the Corona Open in Mexico I wore pink board shorts and a rashie. After, I’ll wear a comfy pair of cord pants and a nice T-shirt.

What’s your favourite off-duty, casual Sunday look?
Again, a bikini. With a sarong as a skirt, my slides and bucket hat.

The Stephanie Gilmore x Roxy collection is available from roxyaustralia.com.au.

This article appears in Sunday Life magazine within the Sun-Herald and the Sunday Age on sale October 24. To read more from Sunday Life, visit The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

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