Surfing has been a popular year-round sport for a lot of beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts but hitting the waves in the summer is more than ideal. Traditionally, surfers wear rash guards and wet suits. Nowadays, showing a little more skin adds heightened appeal to the sport from both surfers and watchers alike. The long-sleeved turtleneck zip-me-ups are sporadically being benched on the beach to make room for hipper water-chic surfing apparel. Of course, competitive surfing still prefers sanctioned sponsor gear but anyone loves a little deviance and a whole lot of almost-nothing on ripping waves.



The debate over bikinis and rashies will be a discussion for all time. However, we do live in the land of the free and the freedom to wear what we want is just one of its perks. After Cameron Diaz and Demi Moore sported those gigantic surfboards and smashing good-versus-evil bikinis in the movie Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, every girl who's seen it wanted to pull the look off. Sadly, females of America, you aren't Cameron nor Demi. The good news is that you can surf in a house dress if you want to. Own what you wear on the streets and make waves with your spanking new bikini. When it comes to surfing apparel rules, there are simply no rules. Just surrender to the ocean and go wherever the tide of style takes you.

The surf is up for beach bodies this season and there are hundreds of surfing swim wear to choose from. When opting for a bikini to surf in, you have to look for support. You don't want your top to ride up on you. And completely losing your bottoms to the deep sea is just as unfortunate. I'm sure Swimsuit Illustrated models get uncomfortable in their skimpy little outfits even though they don't move around a lot in them. So what makes you think you're invincible? To avoid these surfing mishaps, pick a bikini that's both snug and flattering instead. Take, for instance, the olive and pink-printed Billabong Free Spirit Bikini. This sensational two-piece has a halter bikini top with removable cups and a belted low-rider bikini bottom with top-stitching details. Halter tops provide maximum support even for top-heavy individuals while belted bottoms give added security and comfort so they don't just wash up the shore without you. If you're still uneasy about spreading your legs and cruising on your board in a bikini bottom, reinforce your outfit with a dependable and versatile board short. The white subdued polka print Acetone Shorty Board Short from Volcom certainly adds more style to the Billabong bikini. It has an elastic waist and contrast binding on the edges to cover the right parts and stay on at all times -- until you take them off yourself, of course.

With the summer almost over, you can still catch the heat wave in slowly chilling coastal waters or simply fly to your favorite tropical surfing destinations and extend the summer frenzy. I suggest you pack something that won't take up all the space in compact carry-on bag. Sure, rash guards sound like the ultimate surfing artillery against undesirable skin rashes and minor injuries but wouldn't you rather fall off your board, hit your head on a shallow reef, and get a mild concussion in style? The Itsy Bitsy & Ooh La La Bikini from L Space is the perfect traveler's surfing bikini. It's not as professional as a wet suit but it can definitely command the toughest of waves. As a bonus, you get people to look and admire your assets while ripping it (pun intended). Put on a Lost Mina Board Short over the belted bikini bottoms and the boys would not only lust over you, they would respect you as a fellow surfer as well. The long-length tribal design of this boardie gives you the right amount of style and confidence you'll need when you're on that killer wave. Trust your safety to the lifeguards on duty, but trust me with all your surfing haute couture concerns. Order all these fabulous bikinis and board shorts at www.tactics.com and Swell.com while you enjoy their unbelievable low prices and hot deals.