Why Do I Need a Swim Shirt?

There’s nothing like a tropical vacation to get you through a long, dark winter. Before planting yourself in a beach chair, though, think about how you’ll stay safe in the sun. It isn’t just sunburn you have to worry about; there’s also an increased risk of skin cancer from sneaky UV rays, even if you don’t get a sunburn.

A swim t-shirt from Lands’ End can make protecting your delicate skin avoiding a painful burn much easier, since you don’t have to rely solely on sunscreen. For that matter, consider packing one into your suitcase before heading to the airport. Here’s a bit of helpful information to illustrate why you and your family need at least one swim shirt.

What Are Swim Shirts?

Swim shirts are exactly what they sound like: sun protection shirts for swimming. They’re also commonly called rash guards, so that’s important to know if you’re shopping online for one. Men and boys can wear a swim shirt while swimming, paired with swim trunks, to add extra protection from the sun without worrying about the waterproof factor. Women and girls can wear swim shirts over their swimsuits — either while swimming or just as a cover-up — for the same type of sun protection.

Swim Shirts Provide Extra UV Protection So You Can Focus on Having Fun

Having to constantly slather on sunscreen can be a real buzz kill, and it’s even less fun when you have little kids who refuse to come out of the water for reapplication. That’s why a swim shirt is great. And while swim shirts can certainly keep your skin safer than a typical swimsuit would alone, it is important to know that not all swim shirts are made the same.

Some brands simply sell waterproof tops that are meant to be worn over a swimsuit or alone, with no promise of skin protection. SPF and UV swim shirts should have labeling that indicates what the UPF rating is and how much of the sun’s UV rays it blocks. With years of experience in sun protection swimwear, Lands’ End’s swim tees have a UPF 50 rating and block 98% of damaging rays. Free from worry about age spots and other skin woes, you can kick back and relax in style.

Swim Shirts Make Perfect Cover-Ups

Unless you’re swimming in the privacy of your backyard, you’ll want a cover-up to wear over your swimsuit as you walk from the car to the beach, the hotel lobby to the pool, or from the beach to a seaside café. After all, who wants to peel off a wet swimsuit, find somewhere to store it while eating lunch, and then put the wet suit back on when ready to hit the waves again? That’s why UV swim shirts make such great beach cover-ups. They cover your chest, back, and shoulders, so you don’t have to worry so much about whether your sunscreen is still working. And they dry so quickly, so you don’t have to worry about sitting in a wet shirt while you’re eating or hanging out poolside.

If you choose to wear your swim shirt solely as a cover-up instead of while you swim, it also packs away nicely in your beach bag, taking up hardly any space while resisting wrinkles.

Swim Shirts Come in a Variety of Styles and Colors

You’ll see a variety of swim shirts on the market once you begin your search, from short-sleeved to long-sleeved, and from hooded to hood-free. And they come in a variety of styles, whether you like prints, solids, or fun designs for the kids.

At Lands’ End, we make swim shirts in all sizes too, so you can order one for yourself, some toddler rash guard and a men’s rash guard for your partner to keep the whole family sun-safe.

Swim Shirt Considerations and Care

There are a few important things to remember about our swim shirt line. First, know that dark colors provide better protection than light ones. So if you plan on spending hours in the sun, choose something in black or navy. Second, the innovative fabric we use may not work as well if washed many times or stretched out of shape.

It’s also likely that your shirt won’t be as effective when wet. Increase your UV swim shirt’s lifespan by rinsing it in cold water immediately after wearing it to remove salt, sunscreen, and sand. When it needs cleaning, do a quick hand wash with mild detergent. Afterward, let it air dry.