Clothes are our first line of defense against the sun’s rays and despite popular belief, covering up with clothes in the summer won’t make you hotter. You can cover up while staying cool and fashionable as you take advantage of the beautiful weather this summer, and here are five ways you can do it.
Purchase UPF labeled clothing.
All clothes provide protection from the sun’s harmful rays, but some manufacturers provide a UPF (Ultraviolet Protective Factor) label on their clothes that tell customers just how much protection their clothes provide for ultraviolet rays. These labels read much like a bottle of sunscreen does, with an article of clothing rated as UPF 30 meaning that it blocks all but 1/30th of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. The higher the rating the better protection the clothing provides. Cabana Life and MOTT 50 are two great places to shop online for UPF labeled clothing.
Cabana Life
Mott 50
Choose the right materials.
Choosing the right material can make all the difference in staying cool this summer. Natural silk or lightweight synthetic materials such as rayon, polyester, and nylon are good choices for blocking out harmful rays while allowing you to stay dry and cool. Workout clothes are also a good choice as they provide protection while also ensuring comfort.
Avoid tight fitting clothes.
Wearing tight fitting clothes traps heat and moisture against our bodies, causing us to feel hotter. A much better choice for the summer months is light and loose fitting clothing that allows air to circulate around our bodies and carry off excess heat. You will be much more comfortable in a long, loose, flowing cotton dress than you would be in a pair of tight fitting jeans.
Choose bright or dark colors.
Many people think they should avoid wearing dark clothes in the summer because they will make them hotter, but actually dark colors absorb more of the sun’s ultraviolet rays than light colors do. As long as you are not wearing too thin of a material, a black shirt will allow less ultraviolet rays to penetrate your skin than a white shirt will. For this reason consider adding more blacks and reds to your summer wardrobe.
Add a wide-brimmed hat and 100% UV protection sunglasses.
Skin cancer occurs more frequently on the head and face than any other part of the body, so be sure to remember to also provide protection for your head, face, and eyes. The best way to do that is by topping off your summer outfits with a fun wide-brimmed hat and 100 % UV protection sunglasses. For the best protection choose a hat that is made of tightly woven material and has a three inch brim, as these have been shown to reduce sun exposure by two-thirds. Make sure to protect your eyes as well by wearing a stylish pair of sunglasses that are labeled to offer 100% UV protection.
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