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Sun Protection

rachylou

Veteran

So went to the dermatologist again. I am to try major sun cover up. I'm not tan, I'm burnt up. Long sleeves in the heat...driving gloves! Any thoughts on ways to cover up in summer? Ones that don't make me look like I'm wearing my dads clothes? Or pool furniture?

Dressing

37 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Diana

Veteran

An oversized straw hat and sunglasses is always chic!

Are semi-sheer fabrics OK or are you supposed to really be covering up with opaque fabrics? If they're OK, I think a light silk or cotton voile long-sleeved shirt is a nice look in the summer... I like a semi-sheer white over a bright colored or black tank (or even a bra if you're daring) myself.

rachylou

Veteran

Probably supposed to really cover up, but I will cheat...lol. Cotton voile is lovely to wear... The hat part is difficult for me. My favorite hat, the brim probably doesn't offer enough shade. I hate the big floppy hat. I don't know why I've turned against it. I should also probably be wearing a prairie bonnet, but someone will think I belong to a cult...

Ginger

Veteran

Have you tried a Panama or wider-brim fedora? The brims don't tend to be floppy (I hate those too) and the sun protection is pretty good. I like the structure of the fedora shape. It's extremely chic when worn to one side, which is nice because I'll do that when the sun is there.

JAileen

Veteran

I have a Tilley hat. It has a ventilation panel near the top and a chin strap for wind. They make different sized brims too. It looks like hiking gear, but hey, sporty chic, right?

Poppy

The past couple of years SPF fabrics have shown up in the marketplace. I have found them at Eddie Bauer, Duluth Trading and Lands'End. Averaging around SPF 40 and light weight, they work well for me. I just ordered a few more rash guard shirts from Lands' End to wear in the S. FL sun. I stick to the light colors, but they have many bright patterns to to match their swim wear (it is often made from swim fabric) so they don't hold heat, don't wrinkle, do well when wet.

I also own a hoodie and sweater with SPF. They really work! Try it!

Diana

Veteran

My red hat is more of a panama, and provides good sun protection.

Is a boater too preppy?

And this little straw newsboy is cute too.

Scala Straw Panama Hat

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Natural Straw Boater Hat

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Janessa Leone Janessa Leona 'Gadina' Cadet Cap

$250.00 $149.97

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kkards

Veteran

i got this hat earlier this year....this is the widest brim i've ever worn that is also comfortable.

Aiya Floppy Hat

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Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I feel for you, Rachylou. It's hard to come up with stylish sun coverups. I do like the wide-brimmed fedora idea (and I have one myself). I wasn't so crazy about the rounded-top wide-brimmed hats on me, but the more structured top appealed to me more.

How about a parasol? I think you could carry off that style. Maybe you could keep an eye out for interesting ones, so you could have a little wardrobe of them to switch up with your outfits.

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bj1111

Veteran

yup...parasol. a printed umbrella in a rachy print.

i myself have no problems looking like an escapee from a japanese tour bus filled with moms and grannies.

Gigi

Veteran

If you're going to cheat, I think that this Nic and Zoe topper works well over sleeveless items. Nordstrom has it in quite a few colors (you'll have to click around on the site to find them, as they have divided some of them into separate pages). It's very lightweight and versatile.

I did buy a floppy hat at J. Crew. It wasn't as floppy as other floppy hats, so it didn't overwhelm me (I'm short). I bought the CrewCuts version, for kids, since my head is too small for regular hats. I also found a straw hat at American Eagle that is nice--it makes me feel like I'm going to the Kentucky Derby or something.

Nordstrom does have some hats with SPF built in that may be worth a look.

Nic + Zoe '4-Way' Convertible Long Sleeve Cardigan (Regular & Petite)

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Girls' floppy sun hat

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carter

Veteran

Driving gloves?! Would a boho-type bell sleeve blouse be a decent cheat? Something with extra long sleeves to cover your hands when you're outside.

Band Of Gypsies Ruffle Front Poet Blouse

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Sun & Shadow Bell Sleeve Top

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Free People 'Modern Muse' Tie Neck Long Sleeve Blouse

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Guess Lace-Up Bell-Sleeve Chambray Top

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Saks Fifth Avenue

Helmut Lang Bell Sleeve Twill Blouse

$395.00 $158.00

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rachylou

Veteran

Cute hats! I do like the black page boy, but the brim might not be enough. The boater also appeals to the old fashioned in me. Didn't know what a panama hat was when I thought about it. Will have to go looking for those and fedoras and check out Tilley.

You look good in your fedora, Firecracker!

kkards...that Anthro hat is my kind of brim. That's not what I mean when I say floppy hat, although this one is titled 'floppy'... lol. This is more like a proper Ingrid Bergman hat.

Good to know SPF cloth works, Poppy. A SPF cloth topper I should do, I think. Did a google... they have some with the thumb holes so the sleeves cover the hands. Yes, I think I should really do something like that...

I think I also need something like a long linen 'coat' topper that I can just throw on. I wonder if such a thing exists.

rachylou

Veteran

Carter, the bell sleeves are brilliant!!

Ginger

Veteran

Rachy, a "duster" was originally a long, lightweight, dust-colored coat topper (I think of linen) worn for driving in newfangled open automobiles. Perfect for you.

FWIW, I actually wear driving gloves! The inside temperature of the car gets so hot in summer that the wheel burns my hands.

rachylou

Veteran

Was a duster originally linen and for driving?! Oh then someone has to be making something like that.

I think of dusters as the long, heavy coats that cowboys wear...

LaPed

Veteran

I highly recommend a parasol. Find one in a nice summery print. Very versatile, can wear whatever you want and not fret about burns (have to learn how to angle it properly!). I carried one often when I lived in Nevada.

If you aren't excited by full-brim hats, you could do a cap plus a scarf or kerchief for the back of your neck. And big voluminous scarves are nice for low-cut necklines.

One of my most stylish great aunts suffered from (and survived) numerous melanomas -- she was an avid boater. In her later years, her summer uniform was a long sleeve white blouse, linen pants, a big straw hat, and white tennis shoes. She looked eternally fab. It's totally possible.

Meredith

Veteran

Does hipsterville have hipster gardening shops? The locally owned shops around here carry very nice straw hats. I have one straw and one Tilley for the field. But if anyone could pull off a sunbonnet, it's you!

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rachylou

Veteran

I can imagine that look, La Pedestrienne. Minimalist avant garde. Hmmph! I can see my look already - but with wide black crop pants.

rachylou

Veteran

Meredith. Ohmigosh, lolol! Hipsterville totally has plant shops... that is, Hipsterville had terrarium shops. Jungle-floor dark. Hipsters don't really go outside. They just sort of walk really fast to the drip coffee hole-in-the-wall. Oh, ok. I lie. They stand outside to queue. Hipsters LOVE TO QUEUE.

p.s. I do already have a prairie bonnet...my mum brought it back for me as a souvenir from some trip.

catgirl

Veteran

Indian tops are MADE for this issue. Light cotton lawn/gauze kurtis. Seriously.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh, of course! Brilliant, Una.

LillyH861

Oh no! Try something linen or cotton. Those fabrics are more breathable so you can cover up but not melt from the heat.

Bonnie

Veteran

I like to wear long sleeved chambray shirts in the sun. I've worn them hiking on hot days and they cover my skin but are not as hot as tees or man made materials. I also wear a Tilley hat. Not fashionable but it really works.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

A wide hat and light cotton or linen long sleeves. I don't like floppy either, this one holds its shape. I see the pompom version for you.

Catarzi Wide Brim Straw Fedora

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Catarzi Wide Brim Straw Fedora with Pom Pom Trim

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Ledonna N.

Veteran

You will be the most stylish covered person Rachylou

heather.enhui

I'm definitely in team covered up, and second all the suggestions for breezy linen and cotton gauze long sleeved tops. Going for loose and wide shapes helps with air circulation. I'm loving wearing wide culottes and palazzo pants right now, though I am combining them with a bit more fitted tops. I cannot stand wearing a hat even in winter, as I easily overheat, so I carry a parasol all the time, but it is quite normal thing to do here in Beijing. All the summer umbrellas come with a UV protection inner lining. If you do use a parasol, make sure it is not letting the UV through!

Covering up can be stylish and to be honest, I love the opportunity to be creative and contrarian to the norm.

Ginger

Veteran

Rachy, I found a hat for you! This is very Ingrid.

Future’s So Bright Sun Hat

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annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I vote for a wide brimmed straw boater

rachylou

Veteran

Wow, Ginger. That is totally Ingrid'. Genius find.

Anna, I feel I've seen you in a boater and recall it was brilliant!

I'm watching to 'catch a thief' - also need that big white round thing Grace wears... And her backwards apron dress (!!)

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