Pale Girl » Covered Up

Summer UPF

kl — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:20:43 +0000

Summer is here…well, for most of us! The point is, it’s time to start preparing for hot weather. The good news is that there are fabulous new products that will keep you sun safe and looking great. Here are a few of my personal “must have pieces” for the season. And remember, if you don’t want to spend money on clothing specifically designed for sun protection, look for items in your closet that are dark in color and have tight weaves. The downside to regular clothing is that it’s hot. One of the main reasons UPF clothing is pricey is that it takes very specific fabric to block the UV rays and keep you cool.

Mott 50 Marilyn Open Cardigan: It’s not new, but it’s a must. Soft, breathable, UPF 50 and a great piece to keep in your bag for long days in the sun.
Mott 50 PaleGirl Track Pant: Yes, I’m slightly biased since I designed these pants, but I’m obsessed! UPF 50, super soft and perfect paired with a tank and the Marilyn Open Cardigan!
Athleta Breezy Bomber: Love this UPF 50 bomber jacket over a tank dress for arm and shoulder protection.
The Seea Doheny Aquaflor Rashguard: If you’re a surfer – or just want to look like one – this rashguard is for you! It’s made like a wetsuit so it’s a tight fit. The fabric lasts and lasts with no fading or pilling.
Billabong Skinny Sea Legs Surf Pant: Whether you’re surfing the waves or chasing your kids around in the sand, these leggings are a must for long days at beach or pool.
Tasc Performance Sideline Zip: A work-out shirt like no other. Perfect for hiking, running or yoga – it will keep you cool and looking good!

Run Covered

kl — Fri, 18 May 2012 03:36:40 +0000

When it comes to exercise, sun protection and staying cool in the heat is top priority. If you’re like me, and enjoy exercising outside, the challenge becomes finding a way to stay protected from the sun, and yet stay relatively cool. Many polyester or spandex work-out tops give you great sun protection, but they’re not practical in the heat. Nothing worse than a thick, moisture wicking fabric in 80+ degree weather! So, what to do?

The main thing that will help in your quest to stay cool and sun safe…ventilation. And by ventilation I don’t mean cutting an enormous hole in your Nike running top! Look for loose-fitting, well ventilated tops that allow air to flow. Mesh in the sides or underarms make a huge difference. I know many of you love to rock form-fitting work-out attire, but as the temperatures rise, go for the loose stuff. When the priority is staying cool and covered, here are your best options!

Lululemon Sun Runner Long Sleeve: UPF 50+ and mesh panels for ventilation so you’ll be protected and cool!

Tasc Performance V Neck: Super soft, moisture wicking, anti-ordor technology and it’s UPF 50. This shirt isn’t ventilated, but the bamboo and cotton fabric content make this a great option for warm days.

SunPrecautions Women’s Ultra Athlete Full Zip Front: It’s UPF 100, ultra ventilated and has a front zipper pocket. Order it in raspberry or white. You’ll be happy.

And for men…

SunPrecautions Men Ultra Athlete Full Zip Shirt

And for kids…

SunPrecautions Kid’s Super Active Shirt

Rash Guard Chic

kl — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 01:20:07 +0000

There are many new, amazing long sleeve rash-guards for women – they make sun protection look GOOD. Here are my Spring Break top picks…

J Crew Deco Shell Rash-Guard Top: Finally, long sleeve rash guard for the masses! UPF 50 and super chic!
The Seea Doheny Rash-Guard: A little bit retro, a little bit punk, a whole lotta sun protection.
Pret-a-Surf Roses Long Sleeve Rash-Guard: Yes, high fashion and sun protection can work together. Black, with a few well-placed red roses…it’s not what you think. Check it out!
Summer and Salt Oracle Leopard Long Sleeve Rashie: If you like leopard print, this rash guard from down-under is just what you need!
Mott 50 Color Block Rash-Guard: It will be available in March, but I got a sneak peak and it’s amazing! Check back soon!

Fall Favorites

kl — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:45:04 +0000

With cool weather right around the corner, it’s important to remember that sunburn and sun damage are still a concern. A crisp fall day can be deceiving when it comes to UV exposure. Without the heat of the sun reminding us, many people forget they’re being exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays and go without sunscreen. While UVB rays are less intense during the winter months, UVA rays (the ones associated with aging the skin cancer) are fairly consistent throughout the year. Keep that SPF goin’ on your face and hands and sunglasses for your eyes – just because fall hit doesn’t mean we can be complacent when it comes to UV protection. Here’s a few of my new favorites…

Mott 50′s Brela Open Cardigan- For Los Angeles weather, in particular, this is the perfect cardigan…and it’s UPF 30!
Mott 50″s Lulu Windbreaker- Water resistant, packable and UPF 30.
Sun Threadz Beach Blanket- UPF 50+ and it even has a “foot pocket” so it won’t blow-off. Perfect for your next beach vacation.
Sunny Sleevez Stroller Shadez- UPF 50+, it’s a lightweight, breathable stroller blanket. Tie-dyed pattern is great!
MyChelle SunShield Coconut SPF 28- My skin gets dry as the weather cools and this is the perfect texture. Zinc based, environmentally friendly and it smells delicious!

Swim Covered

kl — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 02:08:20 +0000

I know how much you all love slipping into a teeny bikini or stuffing yourself into a European style Speedo, but in case you’d like an alternative, let me introduce you to my swimming attire of choice…a rash guard and swim tights (board shorts if you’re a guy). Years ago, when I first started wearing a full body suit for swimming, there were only a select few on the market. They were all bright blue and had no shape whatsoever. I looked like I was wearing outdoor furniture covers. It was humiliating, to say the least. But NOW, there’s good stuff! Many surf companies make great looking (and fitting) rash guards and more and more big chains like Target carry rash guards for kids (please, stick with long-sleeve). The bottoms are a bit more challenging to find, but I’ve got a few recommendations that look like black leggings. My girls have stopped fighting me and my husband has followed suit…literally.

Women

Athleta’s Summer Shade Tee- Long-sleeved rash guard for swimming, surfing or paddle boarding. This is a medium fit, meaning it’s not skin tight.
Coolibar’s Water Jacket- I like that this one zips all the way down. It makes it a lot easier to take off after a swim.
O’Neil Basic Skins- Great if you’re looking for a tight fit rash guard.
Long Sleeve Long Leg Full Body Suit- This takes some commitment, but I actually really love it. Full body coverage, easy zip in and out and you look like a surfer wearing a wet suit. You could schlep around a surf board and no one would be the wiser!
Coolibar’s Swim Capris- Capri length swim tights. These look great with the Water Jacket or even a standard cover-up top. -There is a full length version as well.

Men

Coolibar’s Zip Front Swim Shirt- Full zip is really nice. Medium fit and lightweight.
Long Sleeve Swim Shirt- Basic long sleeve swim shirt, solid color and no big logo (which is nice).

Kids

Girl’s Long-Sleeve Splash Guard- Cool pattern options, breathable and UPF 50+, ages 2-16.
Boy’s Long-Sleeve Splash Guard- ages 2-16.
Swim Tights- Tight fit, great for a day at the beach. They say these are for boys, but who are they kidding!
Toddler Mermaid Swim Romper- So cute for girls 12-18 months!
Baby Skinz- Long-sleeve rash guards for ages 6-12 months and 12-24, colors for boys and girls.

UPF Favorites

kl — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 23:16:04 +0000

Okay, so you’ve all heard of SPF (and if you haven’t, I don’t think I can help you), but many people are confused when they see a UPF label on clothes. Don’t be. UPF simply means Ultraviolet Protection Factor and refers to the amount of UV protection you get from clothing or fabric. The great thing about using UPF clothing as a first line of defense against the sun is that, unlike sunscreen, you don’t have to worry about fading, rubbing or reapplication. The downside to UPF clothing is that it can be hot (and I don’t mean sexy). It’s made from either a tight weave fabric that has inherent protection because UV can’t penetrate the weave, or the fabric has been treated with chemicals that reflect or absorb the UV rays. Either way, breathability is the key. I have searched long and hard to find UPF clothing that isn’t hideous. Ladies, it’s not on this list unless I wear it. Here’s what I’ve got for you…

Women

Mott 50′s Long Sleeve Crew Neck- I have to say, this shirt is really yummy! It’s 92% Bamboo which makes it incredibly soft and cool. Pair it with cargos or a long skirt and no one will even know how sun smart you’re being!
Mott 50′s Emily Zip Jacket- I know, you’re thinking “who wants to wear a jacket when it’s 100+ degrees!” Again, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how cool the bamboo is.
Mott 50′s Classic Legging- Black, tight, soft and cool. Enough said.

Men

Exofficio’s ExO Dri Long-Sleeve Crew- Basic long-sleeve tee, dri-release technology, soft and UPF 20+. There is also a short-sleeve version.
Exofficio’s Trip’r Check Long-Sleeve Shirt- Collared dress shirt style, lightweight, quick dry, UPF 30+.

Kids

Coolibar’s Unisex Long-Sleeve T-Shir t- Soft, breathable, basic tee. Give your kids a Sharpie and have them customize it – then they’ll want to wear it for sure!
Sun Precautions Kids Super Active Shirt- I admit, it’s not the most attractive shirt, BUT it’s super breathable and perfect for an afternoon of sports.
K&J Short-Sleeve zen T-Shirt- Yes, they are short-sleeved, but these shirts are super soft, chemical free UPF 50+ with cool graphics. Sizes 0-24 months. Some shirt styles go up to size 6X.

Everyday Clothes

kl — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:46:20 +0000

You might be surprised to hear that I’m not a big fan of sunscreen. Now, that isn’t to say I don’t wear it, because I do. But, I’ve always felt that sun protective clothing should be a first line of defense and sunscreen more like a fill-in-the-blank. Use sunscreen to protect your face, ears and hands and let clothing do the rest. The other advantage to using clothing is you don’t have to worry about reapplication, not to mention it’s quicker! Now for the tricky part…how do we stay covered on hot days without boiling or looking like a fool? I’m not claiming to have completely solved this issue, but if you don’t want to invest in UPF clothing* here are a few practical tips…

A white cotton t-shirt has an SPF of about 5. Darker colors absorb more UV rays, so simply opting for a dark blue or black t-shirt instead of a white one instantly improves your protection.
Loose fitting clothes are always cooler than tight.
Denim is an excellent UV blocker. Baggy, wide leg jeans give amazing UV protection.
Polyester, silk and hemp are much better than cotton at blocking UV rays. Many skirts and kimono style tops use polyester or silk. Guys, think Hawaiian shirts.
A tight weave is always preferable. If you can see skin thru your clothes, so can the sun!
Collared shirts are better than crew neck or wide neck t-shirts since collars protect the vulnerable back-of-neck area.

*If you’re looking to invest in a few pieces of UPF clothing, check out my UPF Fav’s article for recommendations.

Hat Head

kl — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:24:40 +0000

As a kid I remember spending my Saturdays at a local water park, only to come home to a red hot, blistered scalp. This is not something I recommend. If you’re going to be out in the sun for a few hours (or most of the day) a hat is a must. For trips to amusement parks and the zoo, everyone in the family should sport a soft, packable, wide brimmed style. Baseball caps are fine for guys, but remember they leave the ears and back of the neck totally exposed so really slather on the SPF. For myself and my girls, I always prefer light-weight bucket styles so I can stuff them in my purse or back pack at the end of the day. Consider these…

Reversible Bucket Hat: Great for kids, sizes 2-8 or 10-16. Light-weight and great for travel.
Ground Swell Straw Fedora: Girls ages 7-14. Super cute for school, but this one’s not packable.
Packable Wide Brim: For women, perfect for travel, light-weight, breathable and UPF 50+.
Men’s Havana Hat: Most guys, including my husband, wouldn’t be caught dead in a hat other than a baseball cap, but maybe you know someone who can rock this one…

Tip: Like with everything, if you don’t love it, you won’t wear it. Any style hat is better than nothing, so pick your battles.

Four Eyes

kl — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:11:20 +0000

For years I was under the impression that I could purchase a pair of sunglasses on my way out of the pharmacy and my eyes would be protected – I mean the glasses always have that little “100% UV protection” sticker, right? Well…wrong. A recent conversation with an optometrist opened my eyes to the fact that the UV protection on a pair of inexpensive sunglasses is not the same as the protection you get from a good pair of sunglasses. Apparently, inexpensive sunglasses are sprayed with a UV film which, over time, will peel and fade. (If you’re like me, and keep sunglasses jostling around in your purse, chances are the film is long gone.) Good sunglasses, purchased at a store that specializes in glasses, have UV protection built into the lens. The danger with a bad pair of sunglasses is that a dark lens makes our pupils dilate, thus letting in more UV rays (and yes, you can get melanoma in your eyes). If you’re wearing dark glasses with a worn-down, peeled-off UV film, you’re doing more harm than good.

Tip: Most optical shops have a UV meter to test the amount of UV protection in sunglasses. If you have a pair you’re wondering about, take them in. Many places will test for free!