Sun-Sensible Swimwear for a Sport-Filled Beach Day

When choosing sun-sensible swimwear for a sport-filled beach day, my go-to outfit formula is a rashguard, well-fitted swim pants, and a straw hat with a broad brim. It’s fairly easy to figure out why! This outfit formula gives me the freedom of motion I need for fun beach activities while retaining optimum coverage to block damaging sun rays.

Choose the Right Fabric

As much as I cheer everyone who dresses in maximum coverage for sun protection, I have to say, choosing the right fabrics goes a long way. You can dress in a rashguard and long swim pants, but are the fabrics protecting your skin enough?

So many apparel brands use sun-protective fabrics now. It’s a nice elevation from basic fabric blends that don’t offer as much sun protection. And when it comes to our skin health, investing in sun-sensible clothing is always commendable and worth the price tag.

You can spot some of these brands in my blogs here and here

Today, I’m introducing you to one more sun-sensible swimwear brand: Dallas-based fashion label, Cover.

The patterned rashguard and black, fitted swim pants I’m wearing from Cover are both made with certified UPF 50+ jersey fabric. This means that it blocks at least 98% of damaging UV rays from the sun. This material is breathable and water-wicking. It also keeps me cool out of the water, which is a huge plus when you’ve got a long beach day!

I wore this in the morning for a fun stand-up paddle boarding at the beach with my boys. By noon, of course, I had ducked out of the sun and into the shade of a beach cafe for a lunch with my friends.

 

Snorkeling in Style: What to Wear to Avoid Sunburns

With temperatures soaring, there’s a high chance people are heading to the beach to cool down. I recently dived into the waters myself with my boys for an afternoon of snorkeling. Unfortunately, even underwater, there is no guarantee that we are protected from harsh and strong UV rays. Today, I’m showing you exactly what to wear to avoid sunburns while snorkeling in style.

Snorkeling isn’t particularly restrictive when it comes to what you should wear; most people are advised to wear any comfortable swimsuit, whether it’s a bikini or a wetsuit. The problem is UV rays can penetrate the water and can cause sunburns to exposed skin.

So what do you wear to avoid sunburns?

Your best bet are full-coverage, sun-protective swimsuits. Here, I’m wearing a full outfit from Cabana Life, a brand that offers swimwear with 50+ UV protection. Not only does full-coverage block harsh rays, it also protects you from ocean particles that could sting or bite your skin.

The rashguard, while simple at first glance, has lovely details regular rashguard styles seem to come short of. Its delicate scalloped edges and laser cut design ensured that I was snorkeling in style. In fact, I think think this rashguard is so elegantly crafted that I can see myself pairing it with non-swimwear bottoms: perhaps a midi skirt or light denim pants!

The swim pants I wore have an energizing blue pattern on them that camouflaged so well with the marine life I explored with my boys that afternoon. Not to mention, they’re super comfy and breathable—important factors when choosing your snorkeling outfit!

What do you wear to snorkel in style and avoid sunburns? Sound off in the comments!

Sun Sensible Day at the Beach

Nothing can quite cheer me up like a day with my family.   True, I am set in my sun sensible ways!  But it doesn’t mean I can’t spend a perfect day at the beach with my boys.  I just have to take extra steps to protect myself from UV rays.

On my most recent visit to the beach, I wore a white scallop rashguard and bora bora fringe tulip swim shorts from Cabana Life. The crisp white rashguard goes perfectly with the shorts. These are my go-to bottoms.  With their comfortable waistband, fringe hem and tulip openings, they are just perfect for a day at the beach. They also add a pop of color to the outfit. Both pieces have a 50+  UPF for maximum sun protection.

Cabana Life is one of my favorite companies. They have a bunch of stylish 50+ UPF outfits for children and adults alike. They have dresses, swimming suits, pants and even hats.

Speaking of hats, they always manage to make an outfit chicer.  This time I went with a stylish white hat from Sensi Studios.  This Classic Panama hat is hand-woven by indigenous artisans from The Andes before being pressed, and its brim ironed.  It is made of torquilla palms which are known for being flexible yet durable. This design is trimmed using a black grosgrain band and is very light.  I almost forgot I was wearing a hat!

A beach outfit is never complete without sunglasses. I went with bright pink shades from Italia Independent.  I just couldn’t help myself.   This color is perfect for the beach, and these frames feel like velvet to the touch.

Finally, I carried all my beach necessities in a large navy ticking striped canvas bag.  This bag is not only stylish but also fits perfectly flat in my suitcase making it easy to pack.  If you are planning a day at the beach, this could come in handy.

It’s important to note:

Avoid hanging out at the beach from 10 AM to 4 PM, when the UV rays are most dangerous. Instead, take a dip before or after those hours. Not only does your skin bask in less damaging light and heat, but you also get to enjoy the horizon during the golden hours.

Beach SPF

Enjoying the Beach Safely

Enjoying the Beach Safely

While we’re exposed to harmful sun rays everywhere we go, the beach still peaks as a place where we run the highest risk of skin damage. Not only do we have to dress less and show more skin, but there are other factors—such as the ocean catching and reflecting sunlight—that can wreck our skin and hair. This doesn’t mean that we have to slip into full-length pieces all the time, nor does it mean we should avoid the beach altogether! What this means is that we should work around the situation and take extra steps to protect ourselves from UV rays.

I’ve found ways to enjoy the beach safely while staying on top of my style game. For one, I like to invest in quality swimwear with eye-catching patterns, like this Mila long-sleeved one-piece. It has a sophisticated, sleek design and is made with a soft, UPF 50 material. The fabric is ideal for activities like swimming and snorkeling; out of the water, it dries quickly. So I didn’t have to walk around in an uncomfy, soaked swimsuit with this piece!

I styled it with a long black wrap-around skirt, a House of Lafayette Billy Bob hat, and Illesteva cat-eye sunglasses. The result is an elegant, monochromatic look, with a beautiful design that cascades from the top, and a skirt that billows around my feet.

Here are some of my :

  • Always wear a sun hat and sunglasses. The shade they give are closer in range compared to that of a beach umbrella. This is helpful when you factor in the reflection of sunlight from the waters.
  • Apply sunscreen often.
  • Invest in a protective swimsuit—it may be pricier, but it can do wonders and truly save your skin!
  • While you’re at it, don a cover wrap, too. It can lend you extra coverage for when you’re out of the water.
  • Avoid hanging out at the beach from 10 AM to 4 PM, when the UV rays are most dangerous. Instead, take a dip before or after those hours. Not only does your skin bask in less damaging light and heat, but you also get to enjoy the horizon during the golden hours. (Fashion blogger tip: these are the best times to take pictures! *wink*)

Elena-Meehan-8269 Elena-Meehan-8226

L1020713_Retouch_v1.01_f01_vis01 L1020704_Retouch_v1.01_vis01

Rashguard Surf Suit by Mara Hoffman

If you’re curating pieces for a sun sensible wardrobe like I am, it’s always important to invest in fabulous accessories. And by fabulous, I mean fabulous: go all out! Choose hats that add a lot of character and sunnies with topnotch quality. The incredible thing about women’s fashion is that nothing—not even accessories that protect you from the UV rays—is underrated. There are designers who produce pieces that are both lovely and functional.

Today, I’m highlighting some of my favorite accessories. I wore a rashguard surf suit by Mara Hoffman, which features a quirky, fun print that captures the colors of that playful morning on the beach. The rest of the outfit was pretty light and bare, because I wanted to run around and catch a bit of the early morning rays. I only put two choice accessories on: one is a pair of sunglasses from a beloved Berlin-based eyewear company, ic! Berlin. The materials these sunglasses are made with are second to none. The lenses provide absolute protection for the eyes, and the shades are lightweight, unbreakable, and do not leave any marks. Not to mention, the design is stylish! Just look at that pink rainbow flare!

Another thing I accessorized with is the Yosuzi “Simea” hat. It’s not too hard to fall in love with it. It has a refreshing, vibrant design that bring on notes of warm sand and summer dreams. It features a flat top, but the brim of the hat can be turned up or down to create a different hat silhouette. The pompom embellishment on the hat completely perked it up. Venezuelan craftsmen made this by hand.

Sticking to the summery color palette, I wore a pulled over pair of coral linen beach pants.

Functionally, outfits like this work well because after frolicking on the beach, I was able to wear the same clothes to a late breakfast at a seaside cafe.

Elena-Meehan-8371 Elena-Meehan-8322