Question for Rash Guard Wearers

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I wear my regular tankini top. Not enough support without.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It might depend on the style and type, Angie. I have one that is white and it is just transparent enough that I feel the need for something underneath -- plus, it has no support, and even though I am small busted I feel more comfortable with a little containment.

My daughter also does this -- she wears a bikini top underneath as well.

Either that or her regular swimsuit. She has some board shorts she can put on overtop of that if she wants extra sun coverage but she generally takes all of it off if she is in the water for any length of time.

10 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

Oh my gosh; I would never think to wear a rashguard without a top beneath. The water is always! cold!

10 years ago

Echo

Veteran

Most wear a bikini top/sports bra underneath. However, there are some rashguard tops with built-in shelf bras that might be enough support for some. Rashguards tend to clearly outline everything underneath them, especially when wet, so most people feel more comfortable with some sort of additional layer under them.

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks, ladies. That's what I thought. The J.Crew rash guards look divine on the DRY models with very small perky boobs. I would absolutely wear a bikini top underneath.

Can you believe that not one of my clients wears a rash guard? Interesting.

10 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I always thought they were strictly gear for surfing. To keep the sand that sticks to the board wax from scratching up your stomach. (the surfboard I got had a neoprene covering so I didn't need to wax it - therefore no rash guard for me) People wear them as bathing suits??

10 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Sun protection. My dermatology PA said to get one after I had several moles removed.

10 years ago

Anonymous

I am going to get one this year! I really like the look of the J. Crew ones too, but I am not so fond of their bikini top offerings. I get really cold easily in water too, so the extra coverage is welcome.

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Yeah - up here we wear them mostly as sun protection, Mo.

10 years ago

magpie

Active Member

Over a swimsuit, always -- too much boobage to go without. Besides, they're really thin.

10 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

I have friends who wear them and always with a bikini top of tankini underneath. Mo, they are very popular here as we have been hearing the sun smart messages for years. I wont let my son swim without one, he is very fair and would burn so easily. I am a very irregular swimmer so I simply wear a one piece but make sure I am slathered with sun protection and wear a sleeved tunic out of the water.

10 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

Started wearing a rash guard (and putting them on the kids) about 15 years ago. We spend a lot of time IN the water, and sometimes body surf on boogie boards. Even the best sunscreen washes off over time. Usually the rash guard goes on at noon when a long day at the beach is planned. Better than a T which can bag and drag when it gets wet.

I like that with a rash guard I can get some colour on my legs, but keep the sun off my shoulders and décolletage. Tan lines aren't too weird if you wear a long sleeve.

FWIW bikini underneath!

10 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

I had never heard this term, so just googled. Interesting concept. I've not worn a swim outfit since 1986, so I don't even look at swim gear in stores or catalogues. Nice to learn a new term. Could these be born over a sports bra for running or other outdoor activity?

10 years ago

Aziraphale

Veteran

If you dress your kid in a rash guard, you do it without a bathing suit top underneath. But for adult women, I can see how most would need a bikini top at least. I don't wear one myself, because having a wet suit clinging to you just plain sucks. Why increase the surface area of the suit? I don't make my kids wear them either, for the same reason -- I just slather on the sunblock.

ETA I might change my mind if I (or my kids) were going to spend all day in the water, but we don't surf and we're not big beach-goers. The odd time we go, sunblock will do.

10 years ago

Debra

Veteran

I don't swim too often but always wear a rashie over my one piece. Sun safety is top priority in sunny QLD.

10 years ago

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ah, sun protection. Got it.

10 years ago

Parsley

Veteran

I wear them, and always over a swimsuit, when we vacation at the beach.
Coolibar makes good ones, although not nearly as fashionable as J Crew.

10 years ago

Kristin SF

Veteran

Usually over bikini top, but sometimes without. I wear them for sun protection.

The kids always wear rashguards - also for sun protection. Just so much easier - don't have to apply sunscreen to the back and front neck, and upper arms.

DD always wears the rash guard over her bathing suit.

10 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I am so so excited that these have come into style. I sunburn so easily that I usually avoid the beach, but when I do swim, a rash guard is a much nicer solution than the long-sleeve cotton tee my mother had me wear as a kid.

I haven't been to the beach in ages, though, so I haven't invested in a stylish one yet.

10 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Huh, is it weird that I kind of want a rash guard because I think they look cool? The sun protection is a nice bonus but honestly I am not a big beach goer anyway and I hardly ever burn. (I do wear sunblock nowadays but even counting when I was a kid and would spend all day at the beach and often forget to wear sunblock, I can count the number of times I've gotten sunburned on the fingers of one hand.)

But yeah, I think the current styles that are out recently are pretty cool looking. It seems like a nice way to change up a beach look from my standard bikini. Not that I really go to the beach enough to justify needing multiple beach looks though.

FWIW although I've never actually worn a rash guard, if I did I would definitely wear my bikini top underneath. Rash guards don't seem like they'd have enough support on their own (and I wouldn't want a super heavy or thick one, seems like that would be uncomfortable).

10 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I feel more educated now. I'd never heard of a rash guard. Of course living in Kansas far from a real beach can cause that sort of ignorance. Should one wear one to mow the grass?

10 years ago

dashielle (Ann)

(website)

Veteran

Going out on a limb here, but I would think that the patterned ones could be doable without a swim top, for camouflage. How nice to not have two layers of wet fabric to deal with! Of course, I'm still not over the time when my mom told me that I could no longer go shirtless (I was 5, what were you thinking?
;-)). Plenty of guys should have to cover up if size is the issue here, seriously.

10 years ago

Golden

Veteran

I don't wear one but I love the idea for sun protection. I would definitely wear over a swimsuit top.

10 years ago

Lantana

Veteran

Another Aussie here who opts for rashie over one piece, FYI variously known as bathers, cossie, or togs depending on your geography.

10 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

Ah ,the Australians are out in force with this one! Like Deborah, my son has never been swimming without one. When we visit the Gold Coast, you can always tell the overseas travellers, as all the Australian kids wear sun shirts and all the travellers don't!
I wear one sometimes, if we have a long day in the sun. If we just go to the beach for a couple of hours, I might just wear sunscreen, but if we are out on the boat all day I'd cover up more. I ALWAYS with a swim suit on underneath! I don't think many women 20 plus could get away without a little support!

10 years ago

Anonymous

Hmm, I've never worn one, but when in Greece we do spend a lot of time in the water. Could I have a link to the J Crew one so I may see the style?

10 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I always make my kids wear them for sun protection (and less sunscreen needed). I have one (and wear a swim top underneath or a sports bra if I'm not really swimming). Hopefully they will advance enough that they'll put built in bras in them soon. I like the look and the coverage.

This is my fave of the j crew ones:
https://www.jcrew.com/womens_c...../A1707.jsp
or this
https://www.jcrew.com/womens_c...../06654.jsp
Athleta (lower necklines on these) and Landsend have a decent selection as well. I think jcrew will make it more mainstream.

10 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've never worn one, but I'm intrigued. I made a return at REI recently and eyed a cute rash guard but wasn't in the mood to strip and try on.

I am in the water quite a bit, but in our own swimming pool, which gets a fair amount of shade. Of course, we are also near the beach and take some beachy vacations, so I can see this being useful. Like Diana, I also think they look pretty cool in a sporty way. And I have a family history of skin cancer, so yeah, protection is always wise.

There is no way you'd see me in one without a bikini top underneath. 32E needs support! Maybe the less endowed can go without.

10 years ago

viva

Veteran

Count me in as another person who does not have, and has never worn, a rash guard. I think I might like them as I definitely get tired of sun exposure. I use sunscreen of course but love the feel of sun on my skin -- still, after just a few hours at the beach I am usually done and start to worry about getting too much sun. This might help but I am a little worried about how they would feel. Are they comfortable? Especially with salt on the skin? I can see myself putting it on and then immediately wanting to rip it off.

10 years ago

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