Ask Angie & Others: Good looking sun protective clothing?

Anyone have any recommendations? I typically spend around 4 hours a day outside between 8 AM and 5 PM in the U.S. deep south in the summer and no amount of sunblock is up to the task! (Ok well the stuff I slather on the kids would work but I dont want to to be a ghost in titanium dioxide, oh, and it is so expensive for the good chemical free stuff!)

Last 2 years I have layered a button up sun shirt from a gear brand like Sportif or REI over my sleeveless dresses (which is the indoor outfit frequently). I also wear a sunhat (again usually a gear brand)... This will be my first summer with YLF and gear looks so... well "geary" to my eye now, but short of finding UPF shirts without big safari themed patch pockets and a little better tailoring I am at a loss. I looked at the sunprecautions (http://www.sunprecautions.com) paper catalog and they had a zebra scarf which i thought was promising but now i cant find it on their website... Anyone have any helpful ideas for dressing for sun protection and 90+ degree weather or shall I consider my summer look "gear"? Also up for consideration are the UPF umbrellas but I rarely have a free hand available... Thanks everyone for your help and knowledge!

13 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Ah. I hear you. Very sofy gauzy cotton shirts, pants and skirts are a good idea. My late Mum used to dress like this in the high heat of South Africa - and wear a HUGE hat. Sometimes a parasol too.

Sarah A

Veteran

yes, I agree. But I struggle knowing gauzy fabrics only provide 3 to 5 times sun protection when the new technical fabrics provide 25X at least... Can we not get technical fabrics with fashionable fit! Maybe I have found my clothing line to design...

Isabel

Hi Sarah,

I like http://www.coolibar.com ( they are an Australian company that has been around a long time. )

I would also google ( if you haven't already ) sun protective clothing or clothing with SPF...I some the other day at Dick's sporting goods.

Good luck !!!!

Sarah, there is also over 500 items on Sierra Trading post with SPF 30 and up

http://www.sierratradingpost.c.....thing~d~6/

ETA : sorry , for clothes it is UPF

keruchina

Active Member

Have you tried Rit Sun Guard? It turns your regular clothing into sun protective clothing for a few laundry cylcles.

I've used it to make my tennis clothes sun protective but haven't tried it on regular clothing.

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missvee

Try some of the golf shops - they are carrying more sun-proof tops these days with all the concern about over-exposure. I have a couple of long sleeved tops by Birdy and Grace with mesh inserts on the underside of the arms. They are quite stylish with a casual skirt or shorts.

Makrame

Like Isabel, I was going to suggest checking out Sierra Trading Post - their selection changes all the time. I am signed up for their credit card and e-mail and get 35% off coupons from time to time, which I use when I need UPF clothing, outdoor stuff etc.

Here is an orange jacket http://www.sierratradingpost.c.....rFamily=07 and a cute stripy shirt http://www.sierratradingpost.c.....rFamily=02.

Some of this stuff is gearish but not all of it.

thanks for the recommendations thus far!

@makrame that jacket and striped shirt are great! Thanks to you and Isabel for recommending sierra trading post. I am going to spend some time checking it out.

thanks also for the coolibar recommendation.

@ keruchina, I have never seen that I will look for it at the craft store for sure!

@ missvee, great idea to hit a golf shop! I will ha e to look one up locally but I like the idea of being able to try on an item too.

tg76804

Member

Check out http://hydrochic.com

ALL their active wear items are sun protective 50+ UV resistant and made from light weight material to keep you cool. They have a large selection of tops and bottoms and also carry a chlorine proof swimwear line.

Hope this helps!

thanks tg76804, i have never heard of them before so i will check it out!

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