When you're considering what to wear over your swimsuit to the beach or the pool this summer, you'll find many cover up options in swimwear collections. If you want to feel comfortable and look laid-back on the shore or the deck, opting for women's board shorts as a part of your cover-up is an ideal choice.

What Are Women's Board Shorts?

Women's board shorts are a bathing suit cover-up style that never fades from fashion. The shorts are inspired by the long swim trunks worn by surfers, and the "board" in their name is a reference to the surfboard. While styles of women's board shorts can vary, most are long in length and hemmed to the mid-thigh or just above the knee. The traditional style for women's board shorts includes a drawstring waist, though some styles have elastic waistbands for a comfortable fit. Most also have a Velcro or zip fly, but some styles for women have a faux fly front. Many styles feature flap pockets in the legs for stowing keys and other small items.

The Appeal of Women's Board Shorts

There are many reasons why women's board shorts remain popular choices for swimsuit cover-ups year after year. One of the most appealing things about women's board shorts is just how comfortable they are. The shorts typically have a relaxed fit through the legs and the seat, making them perfect for stretching out on a towel, a beach blanket or a lounge chair. Often, the shorts are made out of fabric that dries quickly, which is beneficial when you pull your shorts on right after a dip. Many styles of women’s board shorts are designed to be swim-safe so that you can even wear them in the water without worrying about damaging the quality of fabric. When you slip a t-shirt on with a pair of women's board shorts, you look as if you're just wearing a casual summer outfit, making it possible to run errands or have lunch without changing out of your cover-up. You can also wear a one piece or two piece swimsuit with a pair of women's board shorts as a tank top, camisole or bra top.