Long sleeves suggestions for very hot country.

[CaulkheadUpNorf]

Two weeks in rural Kenya in July and I've just been told I have to have long sleeves to cover self harm scars.

Does anyone have any suggestions other than a cardigan or loose shirt? Nothing can be skin tight.

The Lands End sale pages had a long sleeved linen "popover". I wouldn't suggest it from a S&B point of view, but I have one (with a hood) and have worn it for everything over the years. It covers up as much as necessary in Muslim countries, protects from sunburn and is a useful extra layer as a sweat shirt in tropical places when the sun drops.

www.landsend.co.uk/Womens_Long_Sleeve_Striped_Linen_Smocked_Shirt/pp/P_24034.html?cgid=12094&brand=2

Not the same as mine, but cheap and useful to throw on.

Craghoppers sell long sleeved khaki shirts, I wore something similar on safari & found it incredibly cool and comfortable.

From personal experience, everyone will be wearing Craghoppers-type stuff in the evenings anyway to avoid mozzies. And often during the day to avoid being scorched.

I loved being on safari & knowing that the drabber I looked the more authentic/appropriate. So relaxing sitting in poor light in the evening knowing I could wear the same clothes every evening. I bought a pair of Merrell walking shoes.

Linen every time. It's cool, and dries quickly. Creases only get so bad and no worse!

I'd avoid modern synthetics that claim to breathe - I had to go clothes shopping in a very hot country as I felt like I was wearing a carrier bag.

Wonderful! Thank you. First time there so no idea really.

Hang on a second...what do you mean you were told you have to have long alleges to cover your scars? Who told you that? Unless I'm mixing something that's pretty offensive. I've been on safari several times and travelled all over Africa, and I'm absolutely covered in knife scars, so much so that toddler DS thinks my superhero power is being a zebra. They aren't from self harm but may be mistaken for it I've never been told to cover them up.

That aside, GAP often have lovely linen and/or cotton lawn safari-ish shirts - natural colours to try and be less obvious to wildlife is best.

Sleeves, not alleges, sorry!

Missing, not mixing. Crikey bad typing today!

My friend brought me back some long sleeved when she was last in India - lots of course, some with sequins around the neckline. Very cool and comfy. I'm sure they will have some on Amazon.

Loup I'm not on safari- teaching at a school, training teachers etc. I have to cover tattoos (not culturally acceptable) and scars due to potentially upsetting either someone there or an under 18 coming to volunteer with us.

A cotton/silk mix can be quite cool. M&S have some here but the prints aren't great. I really wish they'd do plain ones. The striped one looks quite nice.

Or a slouchy linen shirt maybe?

Ahh that makes more sense, sorry I jumped to conclusions.

I think most people did tbf.

Thank you for the suggestions, will make the shopping much simpler - I just couldn't think!

I've just bought some very sheer pure linen cardigans from tkmaxx

I often wear those cheap boyfriend cardigans for very hot places with a swing vest underneath and I find those very cool and a smart if you pick the right ones, something like these...

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DT6VW1I/ref=twister_B00DT6VVUU?th=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/WOMENS-PLAIN-PRINT-HANKY-FLARED/dp/B0718ZSMBZ/ref=sr_1_25?s=clothing&ie=UTF8&qid=1496354411&sr=1-25&nodeID=1731296031&psd=1&keywords=swing+vest+tops+for+women&tag=mumsnetforum-21

Definitely lightweight natural fabrics.

Massimo Dutti usually do long sleeved patterned cotton voile tops. They're slightly translucent but would provide the right amount of coverage.

How about selwar kameez style tunic tops? If you're near an Asian area then have a look in the sari shops or online.

www.rupalionline.com/shop/women-fashion/tops-kurtis#/8/

Scroll through the pages, there are some awful prints but also some nice ones with long sleeves.

I need to wear it over a calf length skirt, so some of these might look bonkers but others will work. Thank you for all the suggestions.

There are long sleeved shirts on Amazon, not particularly pretty but would function well as work shirts. They are like men's work shirts, think the retailer was premier work wear. Are you going to be living with some other teachers or in a home stay? Thinking about laundry situation. A friend of mine taught in Uganda for 6 months, I'll have a think about what she wore.

Living in the equivalent of a very basic guest house. We wash things ourselves in a bucket, or one of the local women comes and does it.

In that case, maybe long sleeved cotton t-shirts might be better. Linen shirts without an iron would look like rags.

Something that works well for me in heat is a cotton shirt that i wear open with a vest underneath. The cotton top is intended to look crinkled (you tie it in a knot to dry to keep it crinkly!) and dries really fast.