Swim shirts are for sun protection, not fashion.

They’re basically a rash guard — a tight-fitting, quick-dry shirt made for swimming. The material is usually SPF-rated and blocks UV rays better than a regular cotton tee (which gets heavy and saggy when wet). You wear one when you’re spending a long day in the sun and water: beach, lake, pool, snorkeling, paddling. Also great for kids who refuse to sit still for sunscreen reapplications.

If you burn easily, it’s a no-brainer. If you don’t, you might skip it. But it beats slathering on lotion every 80 minutes. And no, it won’t make you look like a pro surfer — it’s just practical.

Wear it when the sun is high and you plan to be wet for hours. Future skin thanks you.