Sun protective clothing is clothing that can be worn in order to keep the sun from tanning, burning, or damaging the skin. One of the most popular kinds of sun protective clothing is a wide-brimmed hat. A hat with a wide brim not only protects the face from the sun, but it can also offer shade to the shoulders and the upper parts of the chest and back.
For people who easily burn or have a family history of skin cancer, sun protective clothing is an important part of the wardrobe. While wearing topical sunscreen can help in terms of reducing sunburn, clothing can be more effective, especially if a person plans to spend a long period of time outside. Sunscreen only protects the skin up to a certain amount of time outside. Furthermore, during hot weather or vigorous activity, sunscreen can be diluted or washed away by sweat.
Most opaque clothing can be worn to protect the skin from the sun. However, there are some garments that are designed specifically to provide protection from the sun. Such garments are usually made with natural or synthetic fibers that are proven to offer optimum blockage against the sun.
There are a number of lines of clothing for children and babies that include sun protective clothing. This is because babies’ and children’s skin is especially sensitive to sunlight and can easily burn. These lines of clothing often include hats, shirts, and trousers that will protect skin from sun damage.
Linen is a common material for sun protective clothing because tightly-woven linen can shield the skin from the sun, but is also quite light and breathes well. While it may not protect the skin as completely as a synthetic materials like nylon, it is much more comfortable to wear in hot weather and while sitting in direct sunlight. Furthermore, linen can be stylishly cut into pantsuits, dresses, tunics, and shirts that can be worn even in some professional settings. In fact, some hats with wide brims are made of linen.
Finally, one of the most important pieces of attire in sun protective wear is sunglasses. In order to protect both the eyes and the delicate skin around the eyes, it is advisable to wear sunglasses that filter UV rays. Many clothing lines that sell sun protective wear also sell sunglasses. Even companies that sell such clothing for children offer eyewear that helps to block out the sun.
