Since the time when Brooke O’Hair worked her very first job in a surf shop, she knew she wanted to follow a career in the fashion retail industry, specifically in the surf category. Based on, “the dream to open a surf boutique for guys and gals with my own twist- vintage and western”, Brooke founded and opened the doors to Blacktop Surf Shop in 2021. When asked to describe her vision for the brand, she explained that she wanted to create “a unique space consisting of everything I loved -- the ocean, the beach, the spirit of the west, and vintage finds with a story- but most of all, I wanted to create a community for those who share the same love and interests as I do”. If you’re in Largo, Florida, you can stop by the shop to find products like apparel, accessories, skateboarding goods, and home goods intended for those who live beachside, on the water, and anywhere in between. The brand name "Blacktop" means black asphalt, which symbolizes “progress and a city vibe.” Brooke hopes to be your neighborhood surf shop #OnTheBlacktop, while encouraging others to surf the water, or the pavement with skateboards to get active and enjoy the beachy, Florida lifestyle.

When asked why she carries so many cotton-rich products in her store, Brooke explains that she “feels it is the best breathable and comfortable fabric to be worn in the hot Florida sun every day!” With extremely high temperatures ten months out of the year, cotton is a great choice for light, breathable apparel to move around in. Brooke also studied fashion merchandising in school and is “aware of the sustainability benefits of cotton compared to other synthetic materials.” She further explains how she, “wanted to ultimately incorporate sustainability into my business! Cotton is lightweight, breathable, and sustainable- which I love!” We couldn’t agree more, Brooke.

When asked to describe her personal style, Brooke described it as “a mixture of many styles- beachy, western, and vintage -- and I feel like my home and surroundings has a huge impact on the way I dress and accessorize!” With cotton’s versatility, you can find styles to encapsulate any mood or style. She further elaborates that, “Thrift shopping is also a huge source of style inspiration too- fashion is always revolving and coming back around so purchasing and seeing pieces from the past helps spark my creativity and also gives me a unique style!” We love how cotton clothing is timeless in style, as well as durable so that it can be passed on second-hand and older pieces can be given new life.

In her shop, Brooke sells many surfer-focused brands to reflect the culture and lifestyle of surfers in Florida. Going to the beach, practicing watersports and skating on the beach encapsulates the local lifestyle in this area, so Brooke, “knew the community would love the beachy styles the brands offered! Surfing is a fun sport for all ages, and those who don’t surf can still enjoy the lifestyle and clothing the surf community offers!” In her personal life, Brooke loves surfing, swimming, cruising on her longboard with friends, and taking long walks on the beach. She loves athleisure clothing because “it is so comfortable and so versatile -- it can be worn anywhere. No matter what mood I’m in I can almost always feel like putting on leggings or sweatpants with a comfy oversized tee!” She further says that “cotton is such a go-to fabric, and many brands are incorporating it into their lines! So, you can enjoy the comfort and breathability of cotton in the outdoors and on the go, and also have it in many of the trendy and fashionable styles that you see these days!” Cotton is soft and comfortable, which is ideal for layering. Whether you’re skating around the beach or taking a long walk, cotton is an easy choice because it moves with you, looks good, and feels good.

Fashion is our favorite source of self-expression. Not only can your outfit choices help define your style and mood, but they can also have a direct, functional impact on how you move and approach your day. When asked about the power of comfort, Brooke shares that, “comfort to me is feeling relaxed and content with where you are, who you’re with, and what you’re wearing! When I am comfortable, I feel confident- which is important because confidence goes hand in hand with being your true self and allows you to create strong connections with people, passions, and goals!” We hope that cotton can propel people to feel comfortable and confident whenever they wear it. Shop our favorite cotton looks at Blacktop Surf Shop here, or visit the store in Largo, Florida.