How do you wear a rash guard - YouLookFab Forum

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How do you wear a rash guard

Anonymous

Do you put it on over your swim suit? Is it a standalone garment that I can wear instead of a swim suit?

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Sara L.

Veteran

I wear mine over a swimsuit. Otherwise it's like wearing a wet t-shirt without a bra.

delurked

Veteran

It’s going to depend a lot on age, chest size and modesty factors. I wear mine over a swimsuit to keep everything in place and covered. DD when younger could wear as a top without anything under it. Younger ones for her were sometimes sold with an extra front layer. The one I have zips up the front, which makes it easier to get on and off than a pullover one. YMMV.

Anonymous

That is what I thought. Thank you, Sara and Delurked. It was probably obvious .... but I still wanted to make sure I was understanding the problem.

Bonnie

Veteran

I wear mine over the lightweight bra I use for yoga.

Nordstrom Lingerie Seamless Day Bra

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Sal

Veteran

Either over my swimsuit or a sports bra. I have a black long sleeve one and wore it a lot this summer.

MsMary

Veteran

Heh. I wear mine to work!

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Women's Stripe Crewneck Swim Tee Rash Guard from Lands' End

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April

Veteran

Seconding Sarah L and delurked -- unless you have a slim straight figure in the bust area, you'll want something underneath for support. Also, bonnie's idea is genius.

I find that rashguards are great in theory. I dislike the sticky feel of sunscreen and the way it affects my sensitive skin, so the temptation to just pull on a long-sleeved garment for protection is strong. And then, reality sets in. Reality: out of the water, these are made of non-breathable synthetics and can feel just awful in hot, humid weather. In the water, they make me cold and want to scream (because they do feel like you're wrapped in wet fabric, since you are.)

So, there you have it. I love the idea of these but have found them hard to make peace with.

Sal

Veteran

I think it depends how much you swim - what your activities are.

If I am going for a quick dip I just wear my bikini/swimsuit and add on a cover up as soon as I am back at my towel. These are great for boogie boarding, kayaking, or super long swims. I agree that when you are out of the water they can feel clammy or hot....

Lucy

Veteran

These are a real essential in Australia!
I have a long sleeve black one that I wear over a swimsuit (otherwise, everything looks a big saggy!)
I do find it hot unless it is wet. Recently, I left my "rashie" at home when we were out sailing. I borrowed a spare from my husband, who is a lot bigger than me. I have to say, the looser style was nowhere near as hot - I'm filing this info away, and perhaps I will size up in future.

Joy

Veteran

I wear my Lands End rash guards like a tee over my bra. If at the beach, I would wear it over my suit. There are some now that zip up the front like a jacket. I want one as a cover-up.

Classically Casual

Veteran

I have the same rash guard as Ms Mary, and recently wore it in Hawaii on a cloudy day when I was a little chilly. Not what the designer intended, but it worked. I hadn’t brought much in the way of long sleeves. It also looks good with shorts to extend a travel capsule.

aloha emily

I’m a lifeguard and a beach lover in Florida- I wear a long sleeve o’neill rashguard 90% of the time when I swim or play at the beach. Always with a two piece swimsuit under. A wet rashguard is a pain to take off and put on, and even more of a pain if you’re dealing with a one piece suit underneath. I often wear Carve swim leggings with upf as well. I have some lifeguard friends who don’t wear rashguards in the ocean because apparently sea lice can get trapped by the fabric and bite more? But another lifeguard says rashguards provide some protection from jellyfish and man o war stings. I have no idea if/which is true. I would much rather swim without a rashguard and feel the water on my skin, but I hate sunburns and I’m scared of both skin cancer and sun damage to my skin. Out of the water I wear cover ups and leggings by solumbra, lole, and coolibar, all of which are made of fabrics with sun protection. 6pm.com often has lole, O’Neill, and carve on clearance so they are pretty affordable. I’m hot and sweaty most of the time, but so is everyone else no matter how uncovered they are! Who cares? I’m just happy to be at the beach

Brooklyn

Veteran

I wear mine over an aquatic sports bra (which is basically a supportive crop top made from swimsuit fabric, and can be worn just as a swimsuit top).

I agree with Lucy that, with our intense sun, rashies are more common than not here. And they have that cool surfie vibe

I have a short sleeve one but next summer I am going to get a long sleeve one for more coverage and a front zip for easier entrance and exit.

Thistle

Veteran

My daughters, 6 and 3, wear it as a stand alone top.

I wear it over a swimsuit, because, yeah.

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I wore mine in HI for snorkeling. I learned a fun fact from the snorkel boat operators. We stopped at our first stop and the water felt fine, so I didn't wear it. They warned us for our second stop that although the water (closer to shore) was 10 degree warmer, we'd feel colder because our body temps had cooled so much from snorkel #1.

Mine is pretty tight, so I doubt I'd wear it for anything but in the water.

cjh

(website)

Veteran

I haven't worn a dedicated rash guard top, which I suppose would be better fabric for resisting water and chemical damage. But I have a couple 1/4-zip running and golf-style tops that are looser, so somewhat airier, and light material. These work well for me over a swim suit, either in the water or on the sidelines to protect from sun and cover up. Note: I do not really swim, as in laps or as motation from one point to another, but go in the pool or lake to play with g-kids.

Chiara

I always wear 'rashies' (Australian slang name for them) as I am very fair-skinned, love swimming, and dislike applying all.the.sun.block.
My experience is that they work best if bought TIGHT. If there is more ease in the fit, they just fill with water and drag and feel heavy in the water. Initially, I felt self conscious about this, but the improvement in water feel was so worth it!
Also, I look for rashies with a little loop of tape at the front- if you wear swim bottoms with a draw string, you loop the draw string through the tape on the front of the rashie, and it keeps it in place when you're swimming- see photo attached to see what I'm talking about.
I actually find a wet rashie keeps me cooler in hot weather, I think the layer of wet cloth next to the skin can work like that.

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Jjsloane

Veteran

Like a few others, I wear my rashguards (I have multiples) over a bikini top or sports bra. I don't do a lot of swimming at the beach so rarely get wet above the waist. If I do, I wear the bikini top (which for me is bra-sized for support) or a tankini top (also bra-sized). My Landsend tops are very lightweight and save me a lot of sunscreen! I wear swim shorts ( I have 3 lengths of Landend shorts) or skorts with them and am able to feel covered, but beach appropriate and not have to fuss with sand as much. A few are below

Tommy Bahama Fleur De Lites Zip Front Rashguard

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Lauren Ralph Lauren Skirted Swimsuit Bottoms

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Women's Sport Tankini 9" Supplex Swim Shorts

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Women's Tie Dye Crewneck Swim Tee Rash Guard

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Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I find them useful as a sun protective layer when out canoeing or kayaking. And they are a good layer to prevent lifejacket chafing at armpits.

Anonymous

Well ... here is the thing. My BF and I were planning a summer beach vacation. I have been busy planning my vacation wardrobe, but with his broken ankle which is healing slowly, I wonder if this vacation will come to fruition. I put my planning aside yesterday afternoon.

IF we decide to go, I'll shop what is available closer to the date. Is this chancy? Yes. But I have a really good idea of what I want now and what retailers are most likely to have what I want in stock.