Trend Alert - Tot Style

My latest trend spotting happened by chance this past weekend at El Porto beach. I've noticed lately that my 4-year old son's playmate, Tess (3), has a natural knack for styling. It's scary to think that at three she's already expressing her own fashion sense and experimenting with clothes (her Mom says she insists on selecting her own "looks" each morning.) Her latest "look" and full-on trend statement will have the Roxy and Billabong designers clamoring for more.

Thanks to the surf industry, young girls and woman have been donning rash guards to achieve that surfer girl look. The rash guard is essentially a nylon t-shirt that's worn while surfing, boogie boarding, or just for that surfer wannabe look. I'm a big fan of the rash guard (I prefer Xcel Hawaii's version) because it keeps my Hawaiian blood warm in the cool California waters and it protects my skin from the sun. But unfortunately, the rash guard can cover up a woman's fabulous bikini. Women have worked so hard to find that perfect suit and to then cover it up in an unsightly, yet practical, nylon t-shirt is a sin. It took a 3-year old to solve that problem!

Tess, already at 3, has an impressive array of stylish bathing suits that would put my suits to shame. She is determined to show them off and not sacrifice fashion for warmth or sun protection. Solution: wear that fabulous halter swim top OVER the rash guard. How brilliant! As pictured above, Tess is sporting her plaid halter over her lavender Roxy rash guard. Why cover up that fabulous top, when you can layer your top over your sporty rash guard? I can just see Megan Abubo or Rochelle Ballard taking this trend to the world class circuit. They'll be rippin' it and shreddin' it with their Roxy-sponsored string bikini tops over top their sun-protecting rash guards - fashion and function. Soon all the Roxy girls from Malibu's Surfrider to Huntington Beach pier will be sporting this look.

My only suggestion, would be to get a slim fitting rash guard that fits super close to the body so the bikini top gets full attention. So keep a look out for this soon-to-be surf-inspired trend to hit the beaches and all brought to you by the creative, uninhibited style of a 3-year old tot!