Women's Board Shorts

About Board Shorts

Board shorts have been popular among surfers and other water sports enthusiasts for years and the name apparently was adapted from their wear during surfboard use. Originally, men were the main buyers of these swim shorts, but gradually, as more women took up surfing and other activities such as wakeboarding, board shorts manufacturers realized the need for women’s board shorts as well.

Board shorts are typically longer in length than traditional swimming trunks and are loose-fitting. In some areas, it’s difficult to find a surfer who’s not wearing this particular type of short. It is very popular in North America, but less popular in parts of the world where smaller trunks are favored.

How to Wear Them

Board shorts don’t have to be confined to the beach. They’re casual enough to be worn anywhere you would wear shorts. Still, for the beach, they’re ideal because they’re easy to care for and quick-drying.

Wearing board shorts over a bathing suit or bikini is the way most female water sports lovers wear them. While it can be stylish to match board shorts to a swimming suit, it’s not necessary. Board shorts have reached beyond the sand and surf, however, and are mainstream summer attire. You can pair your shorts with a coordinating tee shirt when you’re out and about.

Styles of Women’s Board Shorts

Women who prefer to keep their thighs covered will feel right at home in board shorts, which can be as plain or as colorfully decorated as any fun summer fashions. Board shorts are available in colors such as:

• Black
• Blue
• Red
• Yellow
• Green
• White
• Orange
• Multi

Also, floral prints, lending a tropical vibe, are easy to find.

Where to Find Board Shorts

If you’re fortunate enough to live near a beach, surf shops are probably on every corner. These are the ideal places to find the summertime apparel you need. With any luck, stores near you will cater to women as well as men and carry a wide range of sizes. If not, feel free to let the manager know what you’d like to see on the shelves and perhaps the shop will try to stock board shorts for everyone. Online, you can search a number of retailers who specialize in surf wear as well as many items designed to take the heat and activity of a summer day.

• Shore-fit Sunwear carries a selection of plus size board shorts in basic colors as well as feminine colors like pink and aqua.
• Aloha Apparel carries clothes and accessories that can evoke a Hawaiian vacation every day of the year. In addition to the traditionally long style of board shorts, this store also carries shorter length styles as well, for when you want to show a lot of leg.
• Junonia has long provided full-figured women with active wear because they understand that curvy girls like to have fun in the sun, too. You’ll find a small selection of board shorts made for the plus size figure at this online shop.
• Hippychix carries funky clothing for the hip and trendy. Besides looking at this retailer’s board shorts, you may find other fashions you like as well.

Caring for Your Shorts

Because board shorts are fairly durable, there’s not too much care involved. After all, these garments need to take on the sun, sand, saltwater and sunscreens, as well as hold up to lots of activity. It’s best to buy a quality short so that they’ll last at least one season of regular wear.

Most board shorts can be washed in cold water and hung to dry, so keeping them clean is easy. If you’re in the water on a daily basis, you’ll need several pairs of shorts in rotation. You can wear your stylish shorts at the beach and in town all summer long.