Sun Protective Clothing Archives

Why Golf Is Good For The Soul

Few years ago I discovered golf for myself thanks to my husband and my two sons. The boys were quite younger then but they had already spent a few years on the golf course enjoying the outdoors and perfecting their swing. I started playing golf just to have fun with them, but I was surprised to learn how invigorating and revitalizing this sport is!

It’s Good for My Brain

In addition to wandering around the rich, lush greenery on a pleasant day, you really have to think about your strategy – where you want to hit that ball and try and scupper your opponent’s game!

And a Pleasurable Exercise

I exercise my arms – golf helped me to develop great muscle tone! And, if I chose to walk across a golf course instead of taking a cart, it becomes an amazing cardiovascular activity.

Great Way to Spend Time with Your Family and Friends

I’ve made many new friends on the golf course! And there’s nothing I like more than spending a weekend’s morning or afternoon at my local golf course with my own family. Golf is something we can all play together. I really enjoy watching my sons improve their skill while I’m also learning and growing in my ability.

A Great Stress Reliever

Golf is a great stress reliever for me. Not only it’s good mind-training exercise, it also takes my mind away from other things. I need to concentrate: as soon as I take my eye off the ball I can fall behind. But I also love the smell of the grass, and I enjoy the feeling of wind as I swing my club. And a game isn’t over in an instant! With 18 holes to cover there’s plenty of time to feel any stress leave my body. By the end of it I am physically exhilarated and mentally rejuvenated.

Caution: Be Sun Smart

It is important to remember to be sun smart when playing golf. Please wear SPF 50 on any exposed areas, re-apply your suncream every two hours. Even on a overcast day 80% of the harmful UV radiation penetrates through clouds. I always wear some sun-sensible clothing. Not only does it protect my skin from the UVA and UVB rays, it also looks great. The best type of clothing to choose includes UV blocking golf trousers and long sleeve shirts as opposed to shorts or short sleeves. I wear a g light weight hat with a large brim. And try to keep myself in the shade as much as possible using one of the large golfing umbrellas. In addition, I avoid playing golf during the heat of the day (10 am to 4 pm). And bring plenty of water to avoid dehydration: I sip it at regular intervals.

I encourage you to try golfing. It really is a terrific sport and once you’ve had a few lessons and got into the swing of it (pardon the pun) you’ll find you’ve introduced a worthwhile pastime into your life which promises to invigorate and revitalise!

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

July 4th Celebration

Have A Sunny, Carefree July 4th Celebration

No doubt you will agree that the July 4^th is a phenomenal day in the calendar and one that I look forward to every year. It’s a genuine privilege to be able to celebrate American Independence and I feel honored to be able to do so with my family and friends in the Hamptons, one of my favorite places! The USA is one of the greatest countries of the world and to live freely is a blessing.

Did You Know?

While we all know what the July 4^th is about sometimes we forget the real history behind it.

As it so happens, July 4^thisn’t the day Americans received independence from England. It is actually the date when the Declaration of Independence (completed by John Adams, Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert R Livingston and Roger Sherman) was backed by all the 13 colonies. The declaration was sent to the second Continental Congress. The original first Congress had been formed to try and persuade the British government to recognise the American colonies’ rights but it failed. The Second Congress formed during the American Revolution.

When the American Revolution ended on September 4^th 1784, the date July 4^thwas heralded a holiday because it commemorated day the declaration document was approved by the congress. It is believed to be the most important patriotic day in the US calendar.

How I Celebrate

This year I will join my family and friends at a relaxed, informal BBQ in the Hamptons. It promises to be so much fun, with love and laughter. You’ll agree it’s just what everyone wants on this special date, especially when we live in turbulent times. The food will be abundant and there will be plenty of celebratory drinks to enjoy and no doubt, as is usually the case in the Hamptons – the sun will be shining. Later on there’ll be a magnificent fireworks display – in red, white and blue of course! All of the above makes for a perfect day in a poolside setting and while everyone will be having a super party; it’s still wise to take safety measures in the heat.

The weather in the area in July is usually hot, up to 80°F and while it can be humid, it’s mainly clear. This is why it’s such a fantastic and much sought after destination for New Yorkers and other Americans who travel to the beach for some R&R, escaping the hot, dusty city. It’s all too easy to get caught up in conversation during these exciting celebrations but everyone should be cautious to keep in mind how strong that Hamptons’ sun is. This means taking the necessary precautions to make sure all the family are well protected throughout the day.

Here are my five top tips to help you stay cool – and safe in the sun!

Wear Factor 50 sunscreen. Put it on all exposed areas before going out in the sunshine. Some people think that just by putting on sunscreen they are protected all day but that sun is exceptionally strong so top up every half an hour, paying particular attention to children who have delicate skin. The UVA and UVB rays penetrate even through cloud so if by chance there’s a cloudy day in store don’t skimp on sunscreen. While the sun is good for everyone in moderation (it increases Vitamin D stores and feels good), it is dangerous and sun damage could lead to cancerous melanoma, sunburn, age spots and premature aging.
Take a pretty parasol. I am a big fan of parasols especially the Persolé collection as they are bright colourful and sassy – perfect for an outdoor BBQ and always make a great conversation piece. You should also stay out of the sun as much as possible, escaping every half hour or so indoors to give your skin the chance to recover from the heat.
Wear a protective hat which stops the top of your head from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays and keeps your hair color from lifting. Hats are never boring – WOW your friends and family with a large brim straw hat perhaps with a colorful sash or a wild print. Hats are always in fashion and look stylish especially when you put a large pair of UV protective sunglasses on too (another must-do). This is a look favored by many of our famous film-stars, old and new – it’s such a gorgeous way of adding some Hollywood glamor to the suburbs of New York!
Drink plenty of water. The sun is very dehydrating and as well as damaging skin it can lead to headaches, nausea, muscle cramping and confusion if you become dehydrated. July 4^th celebrations normally last all day and into the night so keep an eye on your water intake and be sure to drink at least 3.5 pints. If you do drink alcohol, alternate it with a glass of ice-cold water to counter the effects as alcohol acts as a diuretic which increases the chances of dehydration.
Wear sun-sensible clothing. There are plenty of beautifully made, high quality protective clothes which repel the sun’s harmful rays, keeping skin well-protected while looking stunning. In breathable and soft fabrics, they are cool to the skin and even on the hottest days skin is well-protected. Natural fibres are best to prevent perspiration, cool cotton, soft silk and lightweight linen for example.

What I Plan To Wear

For the July 4^th celebration I’m attending I’m going to be wearing my favorite Piamita “Edith” floral dress, which is made of silk, a completely natural and breathable fibre so will keep me nice and cool. I’ll also have my useful Marc Jacobs ¾ sleeve embellished denim jacket close to hand for when it cools down in the evening, I wouldn’t want to miss out on the array of colorful fireworks by standing inside! Additionally, always close by, I’ll wear my sunglasses and a hat and carry my brightly patterned Persolé parasol. What will you be wearing to celebrate American Independence Day?

Safari Chic Jumpsuits

It would be an understatement to say I love jumpsuits. If I have to pare my wardrobe down to 10 key pieces—factoring in my sense of fashion and concern for sun protection—jumpsuits will definitely be in there. They’ve got style and function rolled into one: providing maximum coverage while lending sophistication to your overall get-up while requiring very little styling effort.

With the sunny days just around the corner, you will definitely spot me wearing one of these full-length pieces. Because why not? They give you that much-coveted, effortlessly chic look. This one that I wore is a Safari-inspired jumpsuit from Ralph Lauren. It’s made of satin finish silk, which is said to have infallible UV protection and can help withstand the scorching island weather. Not to mention, the satin silk is soft on the skin.

You can expect this jumpsuit to provide ease of movement with its loose and light fitting, too. And for a day out and about, I’d require nothing less for an outfit.

Just as a dress is not style on its own, jumpsuits need a little work, too. I sprinkled a little color toe the soft nude hue of my jumpsuit with my wrist bangle. My Sensi Studio fedora hat has beaded details that added a little playfulness, too. Then I put on sunglasses to finish the outfit off with.