Swimsuit Covers and Rash Guards: Your Keys to Long Beach Days
When you plan to spend all day at the beach, sun protection is a must. For some people, a sunburn can happen in as little as 15 minutes if the UV index is high enough. This can seem surprising since sunburns show up around 6 hours later, so people often think the sun isn't affecting them as much as it is. This is why sunblock is essential and should be applied every 30 minutes or after any time spent in the water.
But what do you do when you have so much to keep track of that reapplying your sunblock doesn't happen exactly every half hour? Your keys to long-lasting sun protection without tedious reapplication are rash guards and beach cover-ups. Both garments offer excellent UPF 50 sun protection that blocks 98% of sun rays and helps you stay cool, confident, and protected all day long at the beach. Let's find out which one is right for you!
The Power of UPF 50 Fabric
Swimsuit materials have come a long way, offering more flexibility, support, and longevity than ever before. UPF 50 fabric is one of the most convenient innovations in swimwear. This type of fabric is quick-drying, durable, and designed to block out 98% of UVA and UVB rays. When kept in good condition, it will work just as well as a constant reapplication of SPF 50 sunblock, which also blocks 98% of UVA and UVB rays.
Simply wearing a plus-size rash guard over your swimsuit can keep your arms, shoulders, and back protected from almost all of the sun. These effects remain as long as you wear the rash guard. There's no need to reapply sunscreen to maintain these effects either. However, you will have the most protection if you carefully apply sunblock underneath your rash guard before you put it on so that areas around your neck, face, and hands are also protected.
Zip-up Rash Guards
Rash guards and swim shirts come in many different styles. You may prefer one that slips over just like a shirt. Or, you may want the convenience of a zip-up rash guard, which is easy to take on and off. This rash guard style can be made out of different materials, such as terry cloth or another type of quick-drying active material. It's a style that matches well with a variety of swim bottoms and even streetwear. In fact, it can easily be worn at home or while you're out and about doing errands since it looks just like a regular zip-up hoodie.
So, if you want a win-win versatile piece to have in your closet, a zip-up rash guard can serve multiple functions and protect you from the sun for hours. When clothing can be worn in many different ways, it's definitely a great investment. To make it easier to match it with different outfits, pick a neutral color like black, white, or gray.
Styling Your Rash Guards
Rash guards offer more than just sun protection. They can be part of a stylish swimsuit that you wear all day. For example, you may wear a rash guard over a bikini top and pair it with swim shorts to achieve a modest and stylish look at the beach. This is great for active people who plan on chasing after little kids or playing high-energy sports. Being busy like this makes it difficult to remember sunblock, so having extra protection and coverage can give you peace of mind.
Coverup Dresses
Contrary to what one would expect, being covered up while you're constantly exposed to the sun can actually make you feel cooler. However, you must be wearing the right material. You can't expect velvet, corduroy, or non-breathable nylons to give you any type of cooling effect. Instead, summery materials like linens, athletic cotton blends, and the quick-drying materials used in cover-up dresses will keep you protected from the full brunt of the sun's rays. Coverup dresses are designed to keep you cool and help you easily transition from the beach to the boardwalk in seconds.
Swimsuits with More Coverage
Rash guards give you the freedom to cover up when you need to and show off your swimsuit when you feel like it. But if you want to strike a good balance between coverage and style, our selection of modest swimsuits will keep you protected. Swim dress bathing suits do a good job at covering your torso and part of your legs and back. Meanwhile, one-piece swimsuits, tankinis, or matching a swim shirt with a bikini bottom can also give you extra coverage that lasts throughout the day. Just make sure to wear enough sunscreen on the parts of you that are exposed and to pair your swimsuit with a hat. You can also wrap beach towels around your shoulders as you dry off so that you keep most of the sun away. Just be sure to reapply sunblock before you jump back into the sun once more.
Rash guards, swim shirts, and beach cover-ups are wonderful solutions that protect you from almost all of the sun's harmful UVA and UVB rays. Keep them in your beach bag for those long days out in the sun so that you stay protected even if you forget to reapply your sunblock.