For fun in and around the pool or on the beach you want quick drying outfits that are comfortable both wet or dry. Swim shirts are easy to swim in and help prevent sun burn and rashes from watersport activities. They are classed as swimwear by public pools and indoor swimming centres. You can stay warm in the pool for longer fun. Dress your club members in team colours for swimming events.

They were originally developed for swimmers on Australia's Great Barrier Reef where the sun can be brutal, who needed clothes that protected from sunburn and didn't hinder their swimming. Swim shirts are used for light coverage in warm to moderately warm temperatures for several water sports including surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, wakeboarding, and kayaking. Under a wetsuit, these shirts avoid rashes caused by the friction of the neoprene rubber against the skin.

Fabrics

Swim shirts are made of lycra blended with polyester or nylon and are intended to be worn in the water. The breathable, quick drying fabric provides cooling effect in hot weather when wet. If you get too hot simply soak it again with a quick dip into the water and you feel cool again.

Choose a swim shirt made from a durable nylon/spandex combination. Look for thicker material and brands that offer more durability and resilience against the elements. New materials make the water just bead off the shirt.

Fashion

Swim shirts are so comfortable that many people use them even when they are not swimming outdoors, like in the mall or indoor pools, at home or for other sports. You can wear them for extended periods anywhere you or your children are outside and need sun protection or want to look good. On cooler days wear other clothes on top for added warmth, like an anorak to reduce windchill.

Short sleeved swim shirts leave your arms exposed to sunburn when you're out on the beach. Long sleeve swim shirts are better for daily use. The tight fit is ideal for swimming.

The advantage of a swim shirt versus simply wearing a T-shirt is that it is designed to be worn in the water. It doesn't get heavy and waterlogged. You barely notice a tight fitting swim shirt when swimming. Enjoy the feel of the water flowing through the fabric, a very pleasant experience.

Surfing

In surfing, rash guards are worn to avoid irritation from lying on the board paddling and for sun protection. Sunscreen oils have the disadvantage of making surfboards slippery. Rash guards are also worn under wetsuits to prevent chafing. The wetsuit material slides on the lycra. This makes it also easier to put the wetsuit on, especially if the rash guard has long sleeves with thumb loops.

Rash guards are also worn in practice for many martial arts to prevent skin irritation from the mats and to speed the evaporation of sweat.

Comfy Beach Outfit

If the tight fit of a rash guard isn't for you, try a water shirt, a loose fitting swimming pullover which feels good and looks great on shore or in the water, both wet or dry. The loose fit allows for more ventilation on land than tight swim shirts, but causes a little bit more drag when swimming.

The "T-Shirt Style" has become very popular, derived from swim shirts for maximum UV sun protection. You can wear it for extended periods on the beach, in the pool or water park, or anywhere you or your children are outside and need sun protection.

Combine it with jeans or lightweight pants into a stylish and casual amphibian outfit for warm climates like Thailand, where swimming in clothes is the expected norm.

Hooded Swim Shirts

If you have sensitive skin, a hooded swim shirt is what you may want. It is snug fitting and thus ideal for swimming or snorkeling where you wish to protect your neck and ears. The hood provides protection for the head without the need to carry a hat around. Combined with lycra pants they make a complete stinger suit to protect you from toxic jellyfish.

Hooded Sun Shirts

Sun shirts are a comfortable alternative to traditional sun screen products. You avoid sunburn when you wear these loose fitting garments with good air circulation. The silky soft fabric is quick drying and breathable but not waterproof. They remain wearable after you've been in the water and feel pleasant as they dry in the sun. A wet sun shirt keeps you cool on hot days. Matching pants make this a practical outfit on land or in the water.

Hooded sun shirts are becoming popular in Asia. People there don't want to get a tan, so this provides a great solution for playing on the beach or in the water. You can buy them cheaply in the local markets.