To wonder why more adults don't wear rash vests

[Hardingham291]

On holiday in Greece, it's 41 degrees and rising. I'm wearing my long sleeved rash vest in the pool. It's so easy, don't have to worry about how long I've been in the water for or re applying the sun cream all over my body. Its also great for keeping cool if you leave it on after a swim.

A few kids are wearing them but I'm the only adults. So many burnt shoulders here. Why aren't they a 'thing'?

But sun damage is about far more than looking g younger. A friend of mine enjoyed many lovely holidays when younger but neglected to protect their skin. They're now in their 70s and dealing with multiple facial skin cancers, they've needed large chunks of their nose, forehead and neck surgically removed and are now having a treatment which is a cream she has to apply that has made her whole face look chemically burnt. Its been an ordeal to say the least. You don't reach your 60/70s and think 'oh well, who cares, I've lived a good life'.

Unfortunately, mine wasn’t designed for anything other than weak Northern European sun.

If rash vests are designed to be worn under wetsuits, why are they rated at SPF 50? It’s dark inside a wetsuit.

I have been wearing a rashie to swim since I discovered them in Australia years ago. They were unavailable UK at the time. I have tight ones for swimming and baggy long sleeved ones for general wear in sunny climes.

I like the feel of the sun and the wind in my skin too much to wear one in the UK, and I don't go anywhere as hot as Greece in the summer.

Getting a tan is sun damage. Would people really rather risk skin cancer than be pale?

Yes I wear a bikini or one piece underneath.

not all work when wet

Personally I'd stay indoors if it's 41c. It's ridiculous to be outside during the hottest hours of the day. That's why people who live in hot countries close shops then and go home for a siesta.

My DH is not a million miles off this (but younger) with his on. I just about cope

Too short in the body and not usually swim grade tops at Decathlon.

With actual rash vests a basic (probably still UV) one that’s a t shirt is fine under wetsuit.

Actual swimwear level will probably have a half zip and be made of something that feels like a swimsuit not like a t shirt

Yes, we’ve just spent 3 weeks in Spain staying with family and we stayed in between 12-3. Far too hot for the kids to be out.

I think mine look ok. Get one designed for women.

The revelation here seems to be that there’s more fashion police poolside than amongst surfers.

I will admit I’m rarely poolside lol

I don't wear them every day on holiday, but I have a couple of rashguard swimsuits and I like them a lot. This one from Show me Your MuMu is a particular favorite.

I like not having to worry about my shoulders and arms getting burned when I'm trying to stop my feral children from drowning themselves in the pool.

You could say that about literally anything that humans do on a day to day basis. A tan is the bodies naturally evolved barrier to cell damage. We have also evolved our skin types to match our latitudes because vitamin D is so important, and protects us from other cancers. Regular small doses of sun are beneficial. Don't cover up all year and then blast yourself for two weeks in the midday sun under a UV index 9. Don't lie on a sunbed. As with all things in life, little and often, and don't overindulge.

If I was a bloke I wouldn’t swim in that because it looks like a t shirt not uv swimwear and probably would just look like a wet t shirt

They do allow them as long as they are Lycra type material designed to be worn in the pool.

I’m very olive skinned, and so is DH. We cover our children (also olive skinned) in factor 50 and don’t let them stay in the sun for too long, but for us it’s about the feel of the sun on our skin that would stop us using rash vests as adults. Neither of us are that bothered about tanning, since we don’t look pale anyway, but wet swimwear feels horrid at the best of times; I can’t imagine having it full length down my arms.

However, we are sensible with the sun. I’ve never actually been sunburnt in my life. Am currently sitting in the garden in 23C sunshine, enjoying the warmth on my skin and watching the children play. As soon as I feel uncomfortable, I’ll move to the shade. It’s all about enjoying the sun in moderation for us, and of course fully protecting the children until they’re older.

When it's wet it looks like a wet rash vest. Personally I much prefer the t-shirt-type ones to the zippy-swimwear-type ones but then it's not me wearing it anyway.

Love mine
I wear it over a bikini top and usually have legging style swim shorts down to the knee. I get all the heat and non of the burn and when I whip it all off for a bit of a last dry before putting some clothes on as I stand their on the beach glowing white I presume people will forgive my sartorial failings. A ginger abroad needs help.

Never heard of them until I read this thread maybe lots of people haven't. I guess if many wear traditionaly to do surfing etc is this another class divide as a working class person I must say never heard of them

Uncomfortable, leave tan marks and I have awesome boobs for my age.
I don't burn though, well I might if I stayed out in the sun for long enough but I am careful and cover up when not swimming

Recently bought myself one, never been a sunbather but pale skin and was burnt a few times in my teens on swimming holidays and currently dealing with skin cancer in my 30s, so they definitely appeal to me as don’t fancy repeating this again!

I am working class, and I wear them just because I'm ginger and burn easily.

I've gone for that over a swimming costume for DD. Personally I like swim dress but maybe I should try a rash vest. I'm fat and hairy I don't want too much flesh on show!

The question should be why do people go in the swimming pool at 41C and rising.
My rule is, when you go to a country with a difference climate, do as the locals do.
I doubt many locals would be spending a lot of time in a swimming pool at 41C temperatures.
Go before 10:30AM and after 5PM. It's not rocket science. SPF50 at all times applied correctly, sun hat, stay out of the sun mid-day. No need for all these additional vests.
You won't sunburn (and still get some tan if that's the aim).