As it says on their website Blue Dude really has been the ‘go-to’ place for swimwear in Auckland since 1975. An institution in The District, you are always sure to find the best swimsuits here and in my opinion the kind of ones that actually make you look good when near naked. With stock arriving all year long they are sure to be able to find you a winner of a suit for that mid May trip to Fiji or a suit for to perform a water ballet in to over 300 people (speaking from experience!).

John started Blue Dude in ’72 and his daughter, Salene, was recruited to help out with the social media end of the business, see their Facebook page here. Blue Dude resides at 6 Durham st East, lying between Queen St and High St.

Here’s a few Q’s and A’s with our local swimwear specialists!

How long have you been in business here in the District?
John: I started Blue Dude in 1972 and we moved into Queen Street, around High St in 75.

What should we be wearing on the beach this summer?
What we are seeing in the moment in the shop this season includes many beautiful bright colours! There is a huge amount of orange/coral, bright purple and mint green. There are lots of clean stripes and brazilian style bikinis with lettuce edging. There is also a trend growing in terms of busy aztec prints, in deep reds, browns, oranges.

Your favorite spot in the city?
Salene: I’ve grown up spending the majority of my time in the triangle formed by Blue Dude in Durham Street East, Mezze Bar and my other longterm workplace, the unbelievable Tango, both in Little High St.

Best beach in Auckland?
John’s pick would be Tawharanui, his closest favourite beach to Auckland. I would have to pick Onetangi for east, and Piha for west.

What would you grab if you’re house was on fire?
I’m afraid we would be attempting to haul John’s pride and joy, his family history cabinet, out the front door, from its fire safe position next to the exit!

Favourite sunday activity?
John would rather be away at the beach all day, having a surf. I would like to be away from work at Blue Dude, preferably, having a lazy lunch by the beach on Waiheke, or going on a cafe hop with my best friend.

What would you be doing if you weren’t designing and operating Blue Dude?
John: I would be gardening, fishing etc. But probably inventing/designing something, holiday homes perhaps?
Salene: I would probably be spending more time on my own university study haha!

If you could get anyone to model your swimwear who would it be?
Although we don’t have one brand of our own to be modeled per say, the dreaaam would be our very favourites, the Knowles sisters.. Beyonce and Solange. The very coolest, most talented, most fantastic of all.

The most exotic place a Blue Dude swimsuit has graced the beach that you know of?
We couldn’t say any place in particular, but our winters are spent selling swimsuits to New Zealander’s traveling to exotic locations worldwide.

Favourite food in the district?
Salene: Again, I do spend an awful amount of time at Mezze Bar, drinking coffee, eating cake or feta, chilli and turkish bread.

Below is John and Salene’s map of where you can find them in The District. You can also find them here and here online.