Summer Clothing Guide – Staying Safe and Stylish in the Sun!

The summer sun rises early and stays up late and makes for steamy days when it’s tempting just to lounge around the house in nothing but your underwear. But if you really have to be out and about, there are things you can do to keep your cool and protect yourself from that blazing sun. Choosing the right styles, fabrics, and accessories is essential, and this summer clothing guide is sure to put you on the right path to being safe and stylish this summer. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

 

1. Top

Keep things breezy while still covering lots of skin with a flowy 100% cotton top in a light color. Cotton is one of the best fabrics for pulling moisture away from the skin and is soft and comfortable even on the most uncomfortable of days. Embroidered details will add a subtle and feminine flair.

 

2. Bottoms

Linen is another great, natural fabric to keep summer heat at bay, and these linen pants are loose-fitting for allowing more air through to cool the skin. Again, a light color is preferable and a long pant is great for keeping skin protected. Linen is also a very durable fabric and can withstand lots of play at the beach!

 

3. Hat

Your best accessory for a day in the sun is going to be a classy, wide-brimmed sun hat. The wider the brim, the more sun protection the hat will offer your face, which is perfect for days when you are trying to avoid slathering on sunscreen and having that “shiny nose” look. Go for a bold pattern or color to mix things up!

 

4. Eyewear

Don’t skimp when it comes to eye protection – yep, UV rays can damage your eyes too, especially if your eyes are a lighter color like blue or green. Choose sunglasses that cover a large area around your eyes and are specified to protect against UVA and UVB rays. Look for glasses that complement the shape of your face, or go for a universal shape like the aviator.

 

5. Tote

A tote is an essential for keeping your sunscreen and other personal items close at hand on a hot day. A bag made from or lined with canvas will help keep things clean and dry for those hours at the beach.

 

6. Jewelry

If you choose to wear jewelry, keep it light with thin bracelets and small earrings. Avoid leather (it makes you sweat!) and dark metals that can heat up in the bright sun.

 

7. Shoes

The obvious choice for summer footwear is a sandal. And why not? They’re light on the feet and the best for allowing air to circulate, but before you throw on any old pair, consider the amount of time you’ll be spending in the sun. The tops of the feet are high-risk areas for sunburn because they are always facing the light and often neglected when sunscreen is applied. If you will be out and about during the sunniest parts of the day (from around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.), try a sandal that offers a bit of coverage for this part of the foot.

 

 

Are you looking for more ways to look great at the beach this summer? Try one of these 18 DIY Beach Coverups!

 

Featured image via Better Homes and Gardens, collage created on Polyvore.

 

Kayla Lilly is a photographer, writer, wife, and mama making a house a home in eastern Idaho. She met her mister while working at an amusement park and married him a year later after deciding there was no way to live without him. The amusement has continued as they’ve added three kids and a passel of pets to their lives while finishing college and starting a photography business. Drawing inspiration from the whirlwinds of marriage, parenthood, and the media, Kayla blogs at Utterly Inexperienced, and spends the rest of her time chasing chickens, organizing junk drawers, diapering toddlers, and photographing everyone willing to step in front of her lens.