Girls (and women) of summer, take note: Those in search of the perfect two-piece for working on a golden glow at Golden Gardens [0] will find a rack of brilliant options at Cheka-Looka Surf Shop [0]. The veteran shop, which recently relocated to Fremont from Eastlake, stocks an array of surf-brand swimsuits, almost all of them under $100.
Billabong [1] Popcorn halter-top suits in red with sky blue, or black with green ($74), have substantial -- but believable -- padding. The black-and-white floral-print Raisins by Quiksilver [2] ($40 top, $34 bottoms) get a color shot from embroidered yellow-and-pink trim, and a boost from removable pads.
Roxy [3] suits, such as a floral-print Shadow Reef string bikini in black, white, blues and greens ($38 top, $38 bottoms), let your skin take center stage. For a more modest getup, try pairing a swimsuit top with coordinating board shorts, all around $40.
After you've found the perfect suit, let owner Jeff Abandonato, who gregariously greets regulars by name and regales newcomers with surf stories, take you on a stroll through the shop's main attraction: row upon row of fabulous short- and longboards. The vast selection may entice you to sign up for one of Cheka-Looka's surf lessons at Westport -- just $150 for one person or $200 for two.
If you have a shop, sale, event or great product tip you'd like to share, e-mail seattleshopping@nwsource.com.
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