Swim Shirts Are In—These Are The 6 Chicest

Sun protection is trending, and it's no longer all about sunscreen. This summer, sun protection has made a splash in the fashion space, with swim shirts on the rise as the unexpected way to stay out of the sun. Styled alongside wide-brim hats and umbrellas, the swim shirt has taken staying out of the sun to the next level, without compromising on style.

Anne Hathaway and Nicole Kidman have been advocates for the swim shirt for years, and more recently, Kendall Jenner has gotten on board, styling a dress from sun-protective brand Claudent while walking around St. Tropez last summer. With celebrities' stamp of approval, the extra layer has become more mainstream than ever. And it has us curious: should we make room for a swim shirt in our bikini drawers?

According to Dr. Kseniya Kobets, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care, they're a strong addition to anyone's rotation because "people tend to under-apply sunscreen. It's easy to miss areas, sweat sunscreen off, and forget to reapply. UPF clothing takes a lot of that user error out of the equation because once you put it on, you have relatively consistent protection over a large surface area without having to reapply every two hours, feel sticky, or worry about a white cast."

If you're looking for an unfussy-yet-stylish way to stay protected during these last few weeks of summer, we've rounded up the best swim shirts on the market today. If you're uncertain which to get, Dr. Shereene Idriss, founder of skincare line Dr. Idriss, recommends checking out the UPF rating before purchasing. "Look for the actual UPF rating," she says. "UPF 50+ is good coverage, and find a fit you’ll actually wear. The best sun-protective clothing is ultimately the clothing that stays on your body."