Wang Yuanyuan

cheekywang@hotmail.com

IF you were under the impression that all sun-proof clothing resembled something Crocodile Dundee might wear, you were wrong. This summer, you can look stylish while protecting yourself from the sun.

Some sun-proof fabrics are pretreated with UV-absorbing compounds, such as titanium dioxide. However, it’s the overall design of a garment, not just the fabric, that is the deciding factor as to how safe it is to wear on a hot summer day. According to research, it is a combination of fiber, weave, color and weight that decides whether a garment is sun-proof. You can consider these factors when examining the safety of clothing labeled as sun-proof, or the garments that already hang in your closet.

Nylon and polyester have high UV absorbance. Cotton and rayon are the least UV-absorbing fibers.

Meanwhile, thicker, tightly woven fabrics with dense fibers, as in denim and leather, keep sun rays from seeping through your clothes. Watch out for fabrics that stretch, as stretching opens spaces between threads, letting the sun in.

Dark colors such as brown, black, navy and forest green tend to absorb more UV rays than light colors and pastels.

Here are some of the tips which can help you stay safe in the sun while remaining fashionable.

Lace

Covering up with a shirt is many girls’ choice for protecting their skin in summer, but shirts are more for businessmen and lawyers than girls who are trying to look attractive. If you add laces to your shirt then you can look great and stay safe. For example, a lace detachable collar or a lace or a tube top are great choices.

Translucent top

Translucent tops with images of flowers or animals are in fashion this summer. If you think a small vest or a tube top is too revealing, you may feel more stylish and secure when hiding your body in a dark top made of material translucent. It is also great to help protect you from the sun when you wear a bikini on the beach.

Leopard prints

Leopard prints will never go out of fashion. Several famous brands, such as Blumarine and Roberto Cavalli, have all introduced their new sun-protective clothing with leopard prints, adding fashion factors to the traditional and functional sun-protective clothes.

Cloak

If you are worried about your baby-fat arms, nothing is better than wearing a sun-protective cloak. A cloak with light fabrics can not only keep your skin healthy but also make you look stylish.

Epaulette

Sun-protective coats are also a good option if you want to turn heads in public. If you would rather not look too girly, why not get a coat with small details such as epaulette. Different epaulettes can help create different images and this summer, black pearl, metal ornaments and shining stones are very hot.