18 Stylish Women’s Rash Guards For Surfing, Sun Protection, And More

Last Updated 19 Apr 2024 by Fiona Perisone

A rash guard is a protective shirt designed to be worn in and around the water. Initially developed for surfers, they protect wearers from abrasion, skin irritation, and sun exposure. Though traditionally long-sleeve and tight-fitting, these practical tops now come in every fit, sleeve length, and fabric weight you could possibly want.

To help you find the perfect one, we're highlighting some of the best and most stylish women's rash guards and swim shirts from top brands on the swimwear market. Slip them on over your bikini for added coverage during water sports or under your wetsuit for added warmth in cold waters. Cut from quick-drying performance fabrics (often finished with a UV-blocking treatment for improved sun protection), the fifteen options below can truly do it all.

18 Most Stylish Rash Guards For Women

Sweaty Betty Tidal Xtra Life Long-Sleeve Swimsuit

A Classic Solid Color

Sweaty Betty Tidal Xtra Life Long-Sleeve Swimsuit

Sweaty Betty's Tidal Xtra Life Long-Sleeve Swimsuit offers wearers added coverage for wardrobe malfunction-free swimming, surfing, and water sports. A body-hugging fit provides light compression, while an inner bust shelf adds bra-free bust support. For a reduced environmental impact, it's made with part-recycled 'Xtra Life' Lycra— which happens to be five times more durable than traditional elastane.

Material

Main: 69% Polyamide, 31% Elastane

Lining: 82% Polyester, 18% Elastane

Care

Rinse in cold fresh water immediately after use. Wash at 30°C (86°F) on reduced spin. Do not bleach. Do not tumble dry. Dry away from direct sunlight.

ACACIA Ehukai Rash Guard

Eco-Conscious Design

ACACIA Ehukai Rash Guard

ACACIA is a Hawaiian swim brand from designer and avid beach-goer Naomi Acacia Newirth. The label's stylish and functional swimwear pieces are made from sustainable materials in ethical factories working to eliminate the gender gap. This covetable Ehukai Rash Guard is crafted from 80% recycled nylon for a reduced environmental impact and 20% spandex for light, comfortable compression. The mock neck, the long-sleeve rash guard, comes in four fashionable prints designed to stand out on the water. But heads up. It's known to run small, so we recommend you purchase at least one size larger than your typical clothing size.

Material

80% Recycled Nylon, 20% Spandex

Care

Hand Wash Cold

Good American Scuba Surf Suit

A Timeless Piece

Good American Scuba Surf Suit

Good American's Scuba Surf Suit accentuates your curves without compromising comfort or performance. The timeless one-piece swimsuit provides waist-cinching compression and a long-sleeve, high-neck fit for sufficient rash protection during surfing. Its zip-front closure can be zipped up tight for added coverage on the waves, then undone for a flash of skin on the shore. Offered in an extended range of sizes, it's a suitable option for beach-goers of all shapes and sizes.

Material

Nylon, elastane

Care

Hand wash

Seea Haze Surf Jacket

Eco-Friendly Surf Jacket

Seea Haze Surf Jacket

This stylish Haze Surf Jack from Seea is crafted from an innovative plant-based neoprene alternative. Long sleeves, a high-neck front zip closure, and a body-hugging fit provide excellent protection from rubs, rashes, and painful sunburns. Zip it on over your bikini top for total sun protection or under your wetsuit for additional warmth. Complete your look with the coordinating Palisades Surf Shorts.

Material

Recycled Polyester, Spandex, Yulex Natural Rubber

Care

Hand Wash Cold

Roxy Enjoy the Waves Long-Sleeve Rash Guard

Sporty Rash Guard

Roxy Enjoy The Waves Long-Sleeve Rash Guard

This reasonably-priced Roxy Enjoy the Waves Long-Sleeve Rash Guard makes a versatile addition to any active wardrobe. The sporty, looser-fitting rash guard features a classic crewneck and curve-skimming fit. Sleek Roxy logos on the chest and back keep the otherwise simple style from feeling too plain. Might we suggest grabbing one in both color options? You'll be glad to have an extra swim shirt or two on hand when it's time to pack for your next beach vacation.

Material

nylon, elastane, polyester

Care

Machine washable

Atmosea Fire Back Zip Spring Suit

Sporty One Piece

Atmosea Fire Back Zip Spring Suit

Stay protected on the surf in Atmosea's Fire Back Zip Spring Suit. The practical one-piece surf suit is cut from panels of luxe neoprene fabric with color-blocked panels of sunset orange, red, blue, and purple. A high neckline, low-cut legs, and full-coverage bottoms make it an ideal rash guard for more modest beach-goers. Durable stitching and abrasion-resistant fabric ensure the versatile style lasts for countless beach days to come.

Material

80% Chloroprene Rubber, 20% Nylon

Care

Hand Wash Cold

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Long-Sleeve Rash Guard

A flattering wetsuit jacket

Rip Curl Dawn Patrol Long-Sleeve Rash Guard

Say goodbye to chafing and hello to all-weather comfort. Rip Curl's Dawn Patrol Long-Sleeve Rash Guard offers protection from sun rays and rough sand. The lightweight wetsuit jacket is cut from 2mm-thick neoprene to keep you warm in chilly waters. A full-length front zipper lets you quickly slip it off when you return to shore for a mid-day tanning session.

Material

E5 ultralite neoprene

Care

N/A

GIGI C Maggie Surf Suit

High-cut legs

GIGI C Maggie Surf Suit

Go straight from the waves to the streets in this stylish Maggie Surf Suit from GIGI C. The cheeky, high-cut one-piece rash guard boasts flattering seam placement and a front zip closure that allows you to show as much or as little cleavage as you like. Slip on your go-to denim shorts or joggers, and you're ready to run errands or grab a casual lunch after surfing. The golden yellow color is guaranteed to brighten your day.

Material

Polyamide, Elastane

Care

Hand Wash Cold

Cynthia Rowley Animal-Print Short Wetsuit

A bright abstract animal print

Cynthia Rowley Animal-Print Short Wetsuit

Prefer a rash guard that's more akin to a wetsuit? Try this Animal-Print Short Wetsuit from Cynthia Rowley. The stretchy neoprene one-piece is cut with long sleeves, a high neckline, and full-coverage boyshorts with a zippered back pocket. Its functional design is perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, and other activities that require added coverage and an uncompromised range of motion.

Material

80% neoprene/20% spandex

Care

Machine wash

Artesands Sunsafe Zip-Front Rash Guard

With built-in UPF protection

Artesands Sunsafe Zip-Front Rash Guard

Beach bodies come in all shapes and sizes— and Artesands' Sunsafe Zip-Front Rash Guard flatters them all. The long-sleeve swim top is cut from quick-drying, recycled nylon with built-in UPF protection, and it's the perfect lightweight layer for paddle boarding, swimming, and staying protected from the sun during long beach days.

Material

82% recycled nylon, 18% spandex

Care

Hand wash, dry flat

Salt Gypsy Jade One-Piece Swimsuit

slim-fitting

Salt Gypsy Jade One-Piece Swimsuit

Salt Gypsy's functional Jade One-Piece Swimsuit was designed with water sports in mind. The mock neckline, zippered back closure, and medium-coverage bottoms make wardrobe malfunctions a thing of the past. Slip it on for a day of surfing, swimming, boating, or beach volleyball. Knit from a recycled nylon blend, it's a wise choice for the environment too.

Material

78% Recycled Nylon, 22% Lycra

Care

Hand Wash Cold

Loveshackfancy x Hurley Cheeky Surf Suit

Statement Design

Loveshackfancy X Hurley Cheeky Surf Suit

Cut from neon green and hot print performance fabric, Loveshackfancy x Hurley's Cheeky Surf Suit makes a bold statement at the beach. Cheeky bottoms and cinched cut-outs along the side show off plenty of skin without being impractical for surfing or swimming. Plus, it offers SPF protection to keep your skin safe from damaging UV rays. Stash a pair of jean shorts in your beach bag so you can wear it as a bodysuit too.

Material

84% Nylon, 16% Spandex

Care

Hand Wash

Lands' End Sun Protection Swim Tee

Lightweight and extra soft

Lands' End Sun Protection Swim Tee

Looking for something you can throw on over your swimsuit when the sun gets too intense? Add this versatile Sun Protection Swim Tee from Lands' End to your cart. It's LYRCA Xtra-Life spandex is specifically designed to withstand sweat, sunscreen, chlorine, and frequent wear. Moisture-wicking and rated UPF 50+, it'll keep you dry, comfortable, and protected from harmful UV rays. And did we mention it's offered in a tempting array of colors and prints?

Material

91% Nylon, 9% Spandex

Care

Hand Wash & Line Dry or Lay Flat to Dry

Inner Relm Long-Sleeve Spring Suit

Retro-inspired

Inner Relm Long-Sleeve Spring Suit

Inner Relm combines vintage prints and design details with advanced wetsuit technologies. This orange daisy-print Long-Sleeve Spring Suit is crafted from stretchy limestone neoprene with durable flatlock stitching, anti-slip silicone rings at the wrists, and an adjustable neckline to minimize water entry. Flattering high-cut legs and cheeky bottoms accentuate your hourglass shape without feeling too revealing.

Material

Limestone Rubber

Care

Hand Wash Cold

Billabong Pretty Groovy Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuit

A groovy pattern

Billabong Pretty Groovy Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuit

Billabong's Pretty Groovy Long-Sleeve Rash Guard Swimsuit is guaranteed to be your new favorite surfing swimsuit. Its crew neckline and long sleeves provide excellent rash protection, while UPF 50+ fabric keeps you safe from the sun's rays. The best part: its retro floral-print fabric is made using 85% recycled materials for a lower environmental impact. Try styling it with casual bottoms as a sporty bodysuit too.

Material

85% recycled polyester, 15% elastane

Care

Machine wash, tumble dry

Body Glove Women's Smoothies Sleek Rash Guard

a silky-smooth barrier

Body Glove Women's Smoothies Sleek Rash Guard

Body Glove's best-selling Smoothies Sleek Women's Rash Guard creates a silky-smooth barrier between your body and your board. It's crafted from a lightweight, breathable nylon-spandex blend with UPF 50+ sun protection. The loose fit is perfect for throwing it on over your bikini top for added coverage during paddleboarding or under your wetsuit for added protection during surfing.

Material

Smoothies (80% nylon, 20% spandex)

Care

N/A

Carolina Long Sleeve Rash Guard One Piece

Fun Pattern

Carolina Long Sleeve Rash Guard One Piece

If you are looking for a fun pattern rash guard, then you must check one this Carolina Long Sleeve Rash Guard One Piece. Available in multiple fun and eye-catching patterns. Perfect for surfing or walking on the beach as the long sleeves rash guard will protect you from the sun. It can be worn on its own or with a swim top underneath. Either way, you will feel feminine and sporty regardless of your chosen pattern.

Material

90% nylon, 10% spandex

Care

N/A

Elodie Ditsy Zipper Short Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit

Short Sleeve Design

Elodie Ditsy Zipper Short Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit

Add a touch of style to rash guard with this Elodie Ditsy Zipper Short Sleeve One Piece Swimsuit. Super cute and stylish, it may just be your new favorite piece in your closet. It features a high neckline and a short sleeve. With a front zipper, it makes it easier to wear. Perfect for any water sports.

Material

Materials: 80% Chinlon, 20% Spandex
Lining: 90% Polyester, 10% Spandex

Care

Regular wash

About the Author

Fiona is a veteran travel consultant, photographer and travel writer at planetrider.com. She has spent many years as a corporate travel consultant and decided to actually live the life rather than plan it for others!

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