Forget the White Shirt: Denim Is the Answer

Most of us, me included, grab a white cotton shirt when we want to cover up in the sun.

Wrong, says new research reported by the BBC. Denim and other thick fabrics, including wool, provide the best sun protection.

The report didn't offer any tips for avoiding heat stroke while bundled from head to toe in denim and wool in mid-August, however.

The report also gives a thumbs-down to sunscreen, saying most people don't apply enough product, don't apply it before they go outdoors, don't reapply it often enough, and think that using sunscreen means they can bake in the sun all day.

Read the report:

Denim 'best protection from sun'

Comments

[KarenJoSeattle]

Jeanne, do you know about Sun Precautions clothing? They have a store in Madison Park.
http://www.sunprecautions.com/

[jeanne]

Good Housekeeping mag had a feature in this month's issue where they evaluated a number of brands of supposedly sun-proof clothing and found that about half the ones they tested didn't provide the protection advertised.

I need to get a copy of the mag and check the brands before I order the white shirt I have my eye on.

Jeanne

[Katrina]

Someone on mpip wrote one of the companies a letter and got a response saying that the good housekeeping article was wrong about their rating. I'm not saying they were right or wrong, but something to keep in mind. Maybe check for a retraction.

[jeanne]

Thanks. I'll follow up on it, and post my findings.

Jeanne