Fashionable Sun Protection Clothing

Protect yourself and your kids with clothes, hats, sunglasses, and other new products that are effectively UV resistant and stylish.

With over US$3 billion in annual sales (including US$74 million for children’s sunglasses alone) according to a 2007 Wall Street Journal report, sun protection items have become big money-earners. They were big business before “Global Warming” became a household term and now they’re sky-high, so to speak. 

We’re not only talking about sunblock (now dispensed free at many resort pools and healthclubs), but expensive anti-sun socks, solar-weave parasols, chlorine-proof onesies and four-way flap hats for infants.

Wrote FTF member J. W. of Kansas City, Missouri, “We just recently moved from Asia, where we used Australian SPF swimsuits. Here in the states, after several Internet searches, I found a great thing called a “SunShirt” that is certified UPF 50+, but is lightweight and comfortable for children. It’s at www.sunproof.com“. In addition, the site offers consumers an extensive collection of MasqueRay sunproof fashions, and large variety of hats for adults and children.

Is this type of clothing really necessary? A University of Arizona professor who helped set voluntary standards for the sun-protection clothing industry, claims that any heavy cotton garment that’s been washed to tighten the weave is as effective at blocking the sun’s rays as chemicals or synthetic fibers.

Try telling that to surfers, who made rashers (those half-sleeve, half-leg colorful polyester suits worn to avoid skin rashes and sunburn while surfing) a popular alternative for beach-goers and their fashion un-conscious little kids. They started an industry that only grows bigger as new fabrics, less scratchy and sweaty, are developed.

Not to mention the influence of the rising incidence of skin cancer around the world. 

Sources for UV Resistant Clothing

Pediatricians agree that any item that increases awareness of the sun’s damaging effects is well worth the investment.

In addition to www.sunproof.com, you’ll find sun-protective clothing and accessories at many shops and stores online.

The company Sun Precautions, was one of the first with its pioneering Solumbra clothing lines, originally for adults only and now for all ages. Check out their retail stores in San Diego and Los Angeles and their online catalogue. 

For infant and children’s clothes, with cute eyeglasses and SunSmarties (UV resistant bathingsuits with built-in swim diapers), nothing beats the variety available at the One Step Ahead website.

For Australian-made UPF50+ stroller canopies, essential if you’re planning long summer walks with baby, visit www.pepeny.com