Long-sleeve, lightweight shirts for kids?
May 4, 2022 7:26 AM   Subscribe

My 8yo son prefers long sleeves in the summer because he hates sunscreen. But long-sleeve tee-shirts, or button-down Oxford shirts, are too heavy a fabric for a really hot day. Can you recommend kids’ long-sleeve shirts that are very breathable/lightweight?
posted by Ollie to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
Look for fishing shirts made from polyester/nylon.
posted by gnutron at 7:41 AM on May 4, 2022 [3 favorites]


Maybe try some swimming rashguards
posted by hydropsyche at 7:45 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]


Look for shirts with UV protection:

https://www.coolibar.com/kids-baby/boys-4-16/kid-s-agility-l-s-fitness-tee-upf-50.html

https://www.coolibar.com/kids-baby/boys-4-16/clothing/kid-s-long-sleeve-graphic-t-shirt-upf-50-m.html

https://www.landsend.com/products/kids-long-sleeve-upf-50-sun-hoodie-cover-up/id_352374?attributes=17454,45161,45411
posted by les34 at 7:53 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]


UPF fabric is usually a reasonable keyword here. No real endorsement for that company, just an example. I get a lot of stuff in that vein from REI.
posted by supercres at 7:57 AM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]


Loose fitting linen shirts (don't go below 95% linen for best results) are what my adult husband wears here in Los Angeles on even the hottest days. Kind of a pricey solution for someone who is still growing, but perhaps thrift or consignment stores might have some, or you could get a few sizes too big and get two summers out of them.
posted by holyrood at 8:44 AM on May 4, 2022


There are children-sized arm stockings or sun sleeves as well, if you'd like to pair them with existing tees and will definitely be much more cooler because they only come up to your upper arms and not a full-body item covering the shoulders and back.
posted by cendawanita at 11:14 AM on May 4, 2022


Uniqlo’s UV hoodies (come in kids’ and adult sizes, lots of colors) are cooler and airier than anything except thin linen, and have better UV protection. They’re all I wear in the summer now. I have more expensive UPF shirts from REI (REI and Columbia brands) and they’re less comfortable and hold more odor.

Rashguards and sun sleeves are good UV protection, but they’re thicker and hotter.
posted by pickingupsticks at 2:40 PM on May 4, 2022 [2 favorites]


Seconding the fishing shirts and adding hiking shirts like this one.
posted by dg at 5:54 PM on May 4, 2022


My child has sensory issues and won’t switch to t-shirts so basically at the start of the year I get tons of long sleeved cotton shirts in a size or two up… maybe three up because of shrink factor over time and by the time spring comes around they are breathable and light weight. If I want to speed this process up then I can soak them in soda crystals… maybe some thoughts for next year.
posted by pairofshades at 5:58 AM on May 5, 2022


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