Fashion bargains await beyond the sea in Bali

Indonesia's most popular holiday island is also a red-hot destination for surf fashion bargains

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Published: 11:15pm, 23 Jul 2014Updated: 4:03pm, 15 Apr 2015

Sunset beachside cocktails, infinity edge pools and cliff-top villas have their allure, but Bali also excels when it comes to fashion. Whether you're seeking the chilled-out surfer look, a sophisticated dress for restaurant hopping, tropical chic for kids or some hand-crafted local style, the island has you covered.

Shoes, caps, and boards at Drifter in Seminyak (above). Plenty to choose from at the Quiksilver store in Bali (below right).

Bali's fantastic surf is what drew many travellers here in the early days, so it makes sense that surf fashion is huge. You'll find plenty of outlets of all the major international brands — Rip Curl, Quiksilver, Hurley, Billabong and O'Neill — selling bikinis, boardies, rashies, polos, sunglasses, watches, bags and other paraphernalia.

If you're looking for something a bit more soulful, you can't beat Drifter Surf Shop (50 Jalan Oberoi, Seminyak; driftersurf.com) which celebrates the art of surfing with a great range of retro-cool clothes and surfing gear. Australia's Deus Ex Machina has three Bali outlets celebrating, as they put it, a "culture of creativity" which includes stylish clothes for men. Grab a signature Deus tee, pair with some boardies and you'll look like you've been hitting the waves for years.

Along Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, just before Dewa Ruci when coming from the airport, are a cluster of factory outlets where you can snare some surfer threads for a song. Bali Surf Outlet (BSO) and Surfer's Paradise are among those to look for, while Surfer Girl has an outlet on Jalan Dewi Sri, Kuta.

Or go window shopping while sipping on a Bintang at Single Fin, perched over Bali's Uluwatu surf break. Surfers trudge up and down the steps just outside so you can observe the latest fashion in the water before ducking into their on-site surf shop.