While in Bali (one week to go!) I plan to take two or three surfing lessons (with a likely needed massage in between). A friend who did Fulbright in Bali warned me to take a rash guard for lessons. After googling ‘rash guard’ I figured out it was just a tee shirt from swim fabric. I was always so confused when I saw people in tee shirts swimming. Turns out they are great for sun protection and you want a rash guard for surfing so your skin doesn’t get roughed up on the surfboard.
Armed with this knowledge, I turned to the Burdastyle 7/2014 #113 bike dress pattern I used on my biking honeymoon to the Netherlands. It has the look of a raglan / sporty style. And, is blessedly already altered for me. I say blessedly, because the last thing I wanted was to feel like I had an ace bandage on my bewbs and this was already FBAd. To make it a shirt, I overlapped the skirt portion and the bodice at the waist, and marked off an additional four inches into the skirt. I think for a ‘traditional’ rash guard that also provides full back sun protection, I needed an additional 8 inches. Mine is a little too short and shows the white waistband I used on my shorts which tends to make it look like a maternity bottom. But, for a few days of surf lessons and tubing on vacation, this will more than suffice.
Alterations: I eliminated the center front zipper (don’t think I’ll need the venting) and didn’t have a more ‘sporty’ zip on hand. For the neckline, I skipped the one as drafted by Burda and used the fashion fabric to make my neckband. I needed this top to be a bit snugger than the cycle dress version, so I was just really generous in the sew line vs seam allowance. Oh, and I shortened the sleeves a bit from my dress version.
I’m wearing a cup sized bikini top from Freya underneath (god bless you Europe and your 34F sized swimwear). I think I could also easily wear a non-cotton sports bra and be fine too. Other than being a a little too cropped, I’m pretty pleased with this top. I think it’s also a totally legit coverup option too while at the pool or beach. And, being in a Muslim country (ETA: Bali is mostly Hindu. Indonesia is mostly Muslim) and not feeling 100 about my body, I’m more comfortable in this than my two piece.
I am an unabashed lover of the Jalie 9796, Multi Sport Skort. I made several a few years ago when I biked to work and ran on a semi-annual basis. When I knew I wanted to take a surfing lesson in Bali, I figured the Jalie 3351 swim shorts would be cute and coordinate nicely with a rash guard.
I made a size Z at the waist and graded to a BB at the hip. As I’m really measuring for hip measurement at my thighs (where I am widest) I wish I had gone down one more size at the waist, slightly slimmer at the hip and made a sway back adjustment based on my muslin. But, for some reason I ignored it and just plowed on through. For my actual version, I did shorten the crotch length by 1/2 inch — possibly too much?
The shorts have built in, full-coverage briefs, which I made out of white (with the knowledge that in MILLION years I wouldn’t need the fabric to make a white swimsuit). The waistband uses elastic inside unlike the skort. So, it seems a bit more secure in the water (drag, water weight)
Usually in shorts I get chub rub with the inner thigh riding up. I don’t have that problem with these. While I like the pockets, I can’t see myself using them for swimming. I suspect things would come out. But, as running shorts, those pockets are legit. I would also make these minus the briefs as athletic coverups for poolside activities. I think this pattern is a real winner. Together with the rash guard, I felt appropriate for a Muslim country, good for water sport activities and doesn’t feel like I had on my mother’s skirted swimsuit from the mid 80s (it was HIDEOUS). Lord have mercy. I just realized I AM my mother’s 1980s age!! Sigh.
I found myself looking at more swimsuit fabric online when I was done with this outfit. Then I remembered I’ve had this Roxy fabric for at LEAST five years. My stash runneth over because I still have red, black and some gold swim fabric! That said, a good reason to keep a stash. You can have everything you need when you want it!
PS: We had a “Latkes and Rum Punch” holiday party back in December and my tripod got swept up in the CLEAN EVERYTHING movement. So, selfie stick and cell phone camera are at work here.
Miss Celie's Pants 
The majority of Balinese is of Hinduism religion, not Moslem.
Well, that’s good to know! I just read that the country was mostly Muslim. But, further googling tells me you’re correct. Thanks!
On Thu, Jan 14, 2016 at 7:25 AM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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Great looking kit!
wow I love your little surfing ensemble! And I would be very comfortable wearing that on any beach, surfing lessons or not.
Looking cute and ready for surfing
Your surfing outfit is cute and I’m sure will serve you well. Have a great vacay!
Looks fantastic! We call them rashies for short in Australia.
Gorgeous little outfit: you look perfectly fabulous.
That is really flattering on you. You got a great fit – especially the shorts.
Looks good – have fun in Bali!
Love the surf shorts and rash guard… When my girls were body boarding they used them and they definitely help! Have fun in Bali!
Love your fabric choices and you are just darlingly cute wearing it. Bon voyage!
That’s a great rashie and swim shorts – absolutely perfect for surfing! Australians are used to wearing rashies (including long sleeved ones) a lot in the water, especially for sun protection, so you’re likely to see a few around. It’s such a great thing when you can make them yourself!
Off topic, your hair looks ready for the tropics, too, very attractive!
I have a long sleeved rash guard (from famous outdoor wear supplier) that has been a real life saver over the last few years – sun protection! no sand-abraded elbows! etc etc….
Have a wonderful trip!
Ceci
Ha! Thank you! I’m getting braid extensions this Saturday so I don’t have to deal with my hair while traveling. I haven’t worn braids in 15 years!
On Thu, Jan 14, 2016 at 6:33 PM, Miss Celie's Pants wrote:
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I finally bought that jalie shorts pattern. For a security pocket (zip or snap, I think it would be a breeze to sew the pocket and then attach it onto the inside of your shorts at the waistband. (Hotel key thingy).
Rash guards are in abundance on Oahu (as well as brazillian bikinis).
As a super pale white lady I can attest to the usefulness of rash guards for sun coverage. I’m currently on vacation in Hawaii and love mine!
I feel you on not feeling your body 100, but I think you look great 🙂
Perfect looking set. I think I just found my new hobby too: biannual running. Love it! Have a fabulous holiday
That shorts pattern does look pretty great. I think if I were going to swim in them I would add a drawstring. In case of rough water so they didn’t fall down.
A fantastic swim/surf set. I have rash vests to wear under my scuba gear when I get to dive warm water. They also save me from burning to a crisp!
Enjoy your time in Bali. I really envy your surf lessons.
Nooooo!!! Sad tripod! If you ever want an AWESOME tripod, this is the one I have: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/917559-REG/sirui_bsrt025x_t_025x_carbon_fiber_tripod.html Yes, it’s horribly expensive (though most tripods with its stats cost easily twice as much), but it’s basically a full-sized tripod, it’s stable enough even for astrophotography, and it’s small enough and light enough that I can throw it in my purse and forget about it.
Have fun on your vacation!
beautifullllllllllllll
I love your swim/surf set! The colors, fit and shaping all look great. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
Love your new surf & swim suit, it is really perfect, and you are looking really good, Renee. Because I need a lot of sun protection, I wear swim tights to the beach here, about mid-calf length. They are cute & sporty, and dry quickly.
I’m a big fan of the Freya cup size swim tops also. So thankful for them.
Have a great time in Bali!
Very cute Renee and you managed to look very sexy in it too! You have the cutest little figure and it baffles me why you wouldn’t feel the best about it! I guess we all have something we don’t like! Both you and your new set are absolutely beautiful!
OOPs, I forgot to say…”have fun in Bali”!!
These are both fantastic. Great use of color-blocking. I am also big fan of those Jalie swim shorts and wearing rash guards–helps you save $$ on sunscreen, and avoids any wardrobe malfunctions 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful time in Bali. I’ve stayed at the Conrad in Nusa Dua (using points of course) and loved it.
Love what you came up with. And you inspired me to go back to the July 2014 Burda and finally trace out what you are into such great cycling dresses
Hi there, love the surfing gear. just wanted to know what’s happened to Treena from the Slapdash Sewist aka Nice Girl on Pattern review? I’ve been missing her reviews, hope all is ok with her.
[…] confidence during the on-land group class (and loving my Jalie Swim Shorts. They asked me to wear their rash guard so it was easier to spot me on the beach/ in the […]