Dressing for... zika: cool but covered up. Pls help!!!

Hi all! I can't be the only one trying to figure out how to cover myself up this summer to avoid Zika/mosquitoes. I'm looking for long pants and long sleeve shirts that I can spray with Permethrin so I don't have to slather myself with Deet constantly. Suggestions?

(Backstory: I'm planning to be pregnant, with the help of fertility treatments- so I weirdly know the 'date' in a way I didn't with my last pregnancy. [Secondary infertility.... I thing I didn't know existed.] Who knows, yadda yadda, but I'm assuming that it'll work- which is what my dr thinks, so it's not just wishful thinking!)

ANYWAY - PANTS:

-I was thinking Zella pants (not leggings). (Link below.) Super athleisure, which isn't really me, but- I think it's my best choice?

-Maybe the Caslon linen pants that Sterling posted today? The issue is that baggy pants like that don't flatter my pear/hourglass body, AND I'm short-waisted so tucking in is usually not ideal.

-I will probably wear my KUT Diana skinny jeans (in gray, dark blue, and mint), which are hot for Texas summers but not unbearable.

TOPS:
-Long sleeved bUT not hot and not frumpy. Eek. So far, I've thought that Rash guards are a good option. Below are some links from Amazon. (This will not be something I wear much in the future, so I don't want to spend much on them.)

-Maybe a very lightweight cardigan? Any suggestions for good ones?

ACCESSORIES:
- HATS! I bought approximately 20 hats (sigh) yesterday to try on (I'll return 18 or so). I want to wear them so that I can avoid Deet around my face/head as much as possible. The smell is not awesome.
- I want to wear shoes that cover up my feet, again to minimize Deet usage. I'm thinking Converse All-Stars and Tom's.

**EVENTUALLY I'LL NEED MATERNITY CLOTHES, BUT I'M CURRENTLY THINKING ABOUT THE FIRST THREE OR SO MONTHS.**

CONSIDERATIONS:
- My hips are no joke. I'm also at a higher weight than I'm thrilled with (fertility issues --> stress/sadness ---> eating too much).

-I'm short-waisted, with relatively wide shoulders. I usually look better with scoop or V-necks, and I pretty much need either a petite top (for the length and proportions, including armhole placements) or a tunic.

-I'm NOT looking for investment pieces! Fast-fashion is going to be my friend (I hope). I love my Zella City Shorts, so I'm thinking having Zella pants will make me happy enough that I'm fine with spending $75 on something I might not wear very frequently later.

-I work a lot and have a preschooler, so I need to do most of my shopping online.

-I'm not super concerned with being super stylish... but I also don't want to resign myself to a frump-tastic giving up, which is my general inclination. (I've fought it for the last year and a half, with the help of YLFers!)

-Comfort matters, because I'm expecting to feel pretty crappy in my first trimester.

Suggestions? Advice? Pictures?

All help much appreciated!!!

PS I'm not really talking much about the fertility stuff with people in my real life, so putting this out there is pretty intense for me.

Amazon

Private Island Hawaii Private Island Hawaii Women Wetsuits Long Sleeve Rash Guard Top

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Amazon

Kanu Surf Women's Valencia Long-Sleeve Rashguard

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Nordstrom

Caslon Drawstring Linen Pants (Regular & Petite)

$59.00

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Nordstrom

Zella 'Move It 2' Pants

$74.00 $49.58

Sale

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Nordstrom

KUT from the Kloth 'Diana' Stretch Skinny Jeans (Grey)

$89.50 $53.70

Sale

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8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I've developed a problem being out in the direct sun. Dermatologist-worthy. Personally I'm on the look out for a linen duster coat. I would just like an easy topper. Albeit, I think maskitta can stab right through it...

Suz

(website)

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Happy news.

I am hoping some of our Texas members will chime in, but I'm thinking that both Debbie and Texstyle might have heat beating suggestions.

I guess a question is, how bad is this mosquito problem and do you spend a lot of time outdoors? I mean, no point dressing as if you were out camping if you don't actually need to, right?

Having said that, the Zella pants sound like winners. I'd also recommend linen pants. Angie posted some Old Navy ones...I'll see if I can grab the Find. Gap sometimes has that kind of thing, too. You can semi-tuck instead of tuck and if they have elastic waist you can wear them a bit lower down to disguise short waist. Also, they will expand for your belly.

The rash guards look good but don't have the type of neckline you prefer. (Which makes sense for a rash guard and even against bugs, but might not make you fashion happy).

UmmLila (Lisa)

I have looked at both these pieces and found them lightweight.

Athleta

Gap Pacifica UPF Hoodie

Gap Midtown Ankle Pant

Beth Ann

Best wishes with your treatment! DH and I went through 7 years of infertility -- we were in the 10% of couples who could not be given a "why" after intensive testing. Then, at 38 -- right after logging our adoption papers in Beijing, I discovered that I was pregnant. My son and daughter are 6 months apart (we dubbed them China Baby and Belly Baby). They are now busy 14 year olds.

Infertility treatments have come a long way, and it is good to hear that your Doc is optimistic about your situation. It's even wiser to protect yourself from Zika!

I heartily recommend these pants from Target (see finds) and my photo. I didn't size down, but I almost could. They are generous in the hip and thigh and, while also generous in the waist, there is a drawstring in the ribbed waistband. These would be wearable a long ways into a pregnancy, too.

Wearing mine with a denim jacket dresses them up a bit. They can pass for standard black cropped pants, since they aren't as baggy on me.

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Target

C9 Champion Women's Woven Pant

texstyle

JJ - I live in central Texas and deal with heat for a good part of the year. The mosquitoes in Austin and other lower lying areas can be gruesome (much better here higher up in the hill country). Anyway, I've learned that covering up is often required just to have a dinner or drink outside - let alone trying to trek through a park or something more "nature" oriented.

One thing I've tried recently is peppermint oil. Mixed with a carrier oil the scent is not too strong but seems to help repel the biters pretty good and does not have the toxic impact of other sprays. You can also keep some peppermint Altoids in your pocket to suck on and keep your breath disguised from the mosquitoes.

Other than that, gauze, linen, silk/cotton blends are all good bets.

I think I'd invest in one nice slightly oversized long sleeve white gauze or linen button up to wear as a "jacket" or on it's own as needed over light weight tanks.

A linen cardigan could be another option. I have one but it's a bit hot for true summer.

Gap Linen Ankle Pant

J.Crew

Long cotton-linen boy shirt

$79.50 $39.99

Gauze popover in navy plaid

Anonymous

All the best for your treatments JJ. My pregnant colleague is also worried about Zika, so I hear you on that front.

I am the original mosquito magnet and just bought this Icikuls top for gardening and summer hikes. I wore it all day in humid 85 degree weather this weekend and felt so cool. The fabric is like a much lighter rash guard and feels super cool against the skin. It also has printed mesh along the underarms for breathability and offers SPF protection. It looks like the website isn't up yet, but I see several online stores selling it. It comes in other prints and solids if the Pucci look isn't your cup of tea.

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J Jill has plenty of linen pieces.

Coolibar sells clothing with SPF that doesn't wash out - may be worth looking into.

My family and I spray ourselves with Deet-containing insect repellent, per CDC instructions for Zika prevention.

Ledonna N.

Just wanted to say congratulations. What about long maxi dresses and sweaters.

Maxi dresses sound like a good idea.

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