How to stay stylishly sun safe
As we gear up for warm weather, these are the habits and products I'll be relying on
Hi friends, happy Sunday! In this post, you’ll find lots of links to products I use or that have caught my eye. There are no affiliate links here - I’m just sharing!
I wasn’t built for summer. I’m a very sweaty person. As a redhead, I can’t chance any time in the sun without sunscreen. Hot temperatures make me cranky and sluggish. I’m also allergic to most kinds of grass!
For these reasons, I’m definitely an indoor cat when summer reaches its peak. That being said, there are occasions - like vacations - when that just doesn’t work.
From a young age, I’ve had to figure out how to stay safe in the sun. In recent years, though, I’ve focused equally on feeling like myself in the sun. To me this means wearing clothes I actually like (rather than just clothes that will accommodate the weather) and developing suncare habits that don’t ruin the vibe.
Because we all have to go outside sometimes, in this post, I’m sharing my advice on how to stay stylishly sun safe. I’ll start by sharing my sunscreen tips and then discuss clothing and accessories.
Sunscreen
I’ll be the first to say that sunscreen is a bit of a drag. However, sunburns are even more of a drag, so I’m a sunscreen devotee. I’ve come to rely on a few key products and habits, so if you’re looking for some SPF SOS, I’m here for you.
Body
I particularly dislike the way applying sunscreen slows me down when I’m trying to leave the house. To combat this problem, I keep a giant supply of cream sunscreen on hand in my bathroom. After I shower in the morning, I apply it all over my body like I would body lotion. That way, when I need to leave the house for whatever reason, I’m protected.
The product I use - Supergoop! Play SPF 50 - is slightly moisturizing, so it actually functions as body lotion. I buy the 18-ounce pump container and it lasts me the whole summer! As the saying goes, though, the best sunscreen is the one you actually use. Find what works for you!
If I’m out all day and I need to reapply, I use a clear spray sunscreen that fits in my handbag. I’m not picky about brand here, but typically affordable drugstore products meant for sports and sweating are my go-to.
Face
I’ve tested a lot of face sunscreens over the years, but the one I’ve settled on is Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 50. This product gets its name from the fact that it’s completely clear, which means there’s no white cast.
I apply my sunscreen after my moisturizer and before my makeup, and it acts as a primer for my foundation. This product has a silicone base, which gives it a dry touch and slight smoothing effect. It doesn’t irritate my sensitive-acne prone skin.
I’m planning to be outside for long stretches of time this summer while I’m on vacation, so I’m considering adding in a tinted powder sunscreen to simplify re-application after two hours in the sun. Once again, I think Supergoop! will be the hero here, but there are many brands that make similar products.
If you’re someone who experiences the dreaded scalp sunburn, this would be a great option. Just dust it on and you’re safe!
Clothing
My style changes a lot in the summer. I lean into relaxed shapes and styles, although there is still usually a feminine element. My goal with anything I choose is to stay pretty covered up. This isn’t so much for modesty reasons as it is for sunscreen reasons. The less skin I show, the less sunscreen I have to manage. I also think there’s a cooling effect.
Another non-negotiable is breathable fabric. Anything polyester is asking for trouble. I’m a big fan of lightweight cotton and cotton-linen blends because they keep me cool and they dry quickly if I’m sweating. They’re also very washable and look fine with a light wrinkle or two.
Here is a quick run-down of my summer staples:
Cotton midi skirts: Longer skirts (with an elastic waistband please!) cover my skin but allow for lots of air circulation. If I need to look polished for any reason, I’m not sacrificing comfort.
Lightweight, loose-fitting pants: This particular barrel-leg style is back from Banana Republic this summer. I love the belt detailing. They feel easy but can ably transform into workwear if needed. And they come in petite lengths!
Tight-fitting cotton tank tops: I try really hard not to wear a bra in the summer. As a card-carrying member of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee, these ribbed tanks hold me in just fine. A key feature is that the fabric is fairly substantial.
Cotton camisoles with a shelf bra: If you’re a bit bustier than me, this is a great option for a one-and-done top.
Oversized button up shirts: I use these as a coverup over my tank tops. My favorite is a blue-and-white striped linen number. I steam it after washing to get out the worst of the wrinkles, but then I let it do its thing. (This is an exercise in being easygoing.)
Your staples will be your staples - please don’t let me tell you what to buy - but these might be a good place to start if you feel a bit lost. The common theme of these picks is comfort. I’m already miserable enough in the heat - I don’t need to make things worse with my clothing!
Accessories
If I’m going to be outside in the sun, I’ll be wearing a hat and sunglasses. Both of these accessories have been acquired tastes for me, but now they’re non-negotiable.
If you’re on the fence about the hat-and-sunglasses combo, consider these perks:
They add an element of interest to our often simple summer outfits
They create a little bubble of shade that has a cooling effect around your face
They stop you from squinting, which can be both tiring and wrinkle-producing (I have no problems with wrinkles, but I don’t need mine to be needlessly self-inflicted)
They let you spy on passersby without being detected, and give you an air of mystery
Let’s talk about finding your own.
Sunglasses
I’ll keep it short and sweet here. I don’t think you have to spend a lot of money to get good sunglasses - you’re looking for anything UV 400 or 100% UV blocking. That being said, I do think stretching beyond fast fashion is worth it. I wear prescription sunglasses from Warby Parker. They’re not fancy, but I spent enough money to motivate me to treat them gently and get my money’s worth.
The key to this process is finding frames that work with your face shape and personal style. Trying on plenty of pairs in store will help you make a decision. My somewhat surprising advice would be to go for something that feels like a bit of a statement, so that when you wear them, they feel special and interesting. Remember that the bigger the frame, the more protection you’ll receive.
Here are some possibilities!
Hats
Taking the time to find hats I actually enjoy wearing has been a worthwhile project. Hats were a real sore spot for me when I was younger because they never fit over my curly hair. Now, I have a small hat wardrobe consisting of about four hats that add to an outfit rather than complicate it.
My two favorite kinds of hats are ball caps and straw hats.
Ball caps
I don’t have a particularly sporty style, but I don’t think that’s a prerequisite for rocking a ball cap. I love this pick because you can really express yourself with different shapes, fabrics, and decorations. Like sunglasses, I think trying on lots of hats in store will serve you well so you can find something that feels right.
Here are some ideas, but again - a try-on is important here.
My favorite ball cap is a Toronto Blue Jays corduroy number I picked up in Canada last summer. The corduroy texture and the fluid font definitely make this hat special, but what makes it my go-to is the snap closure. I can adjust the fit depending on how I’m wearing my hair, which means it won’t fly off my curly head. As a bonus, for a small fee, the store let me choose which player’s signature to embroider on the side of the hat!
Straw hats
There are many different kinds of ball caps, but there are infinitely more kinds of straw hats. Here are some considerations:
Brim size and shape: Consider a hat with a brim that goes all the way around the hat, so both your face and neck are shaded.
Construction: Can you fold it into a suitcase without it losing its shape? That’s a winner.
Weave: A loose weave can look visually interesting, but a tighter weave will block more sun. It’s not that a loose weave is bad, but it does come with this trade off.
Chin strap: I think these can look dorky, but I also love looking dorky. If I were to buy a straw hat tomorrow, I would want a chin strap to keep it in place.
I’ve also picked a couple options (shown below) to give you an idea of what’s out there.
Stay safe out there!
Sun safety is serious business, but it doesn’t have to ruin your style. I’m really glad I took the time to experiment and find what works for me. I can now spend hot summer days in relative ease, thank goodness. For that reason, I hope this post gave you some inspiration for staying shaded and stylish this summer - whatever that looks like for you.
Do you have any sun safety tips to share? What’s your favorite hot-weather-friendly outfit? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!