Long sleeve shirts are often associated with cold weather, formal occasions, or conservative dress codes.
But did you know that long sleeve shirts can also offer many benefits for your health, comfort, and fashion sense?
In this article, you will discover the surprising benefits of wearing long sleeve shirts, especially casual long sleeve shirt women’s, and how they can protect your skin, keep you cool, and enhance your style.
Protect Your Skin from the Sun
One of the most obvious benefits of wearing long sleeve shirts is that they can shield your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society , around 106,110 melanoma cases — the most dangerous type of skin cancer — are expected to occur in 2021.
While sunscreen can help block some of the UV rays, it is not enough to prevent sun damage.
Sunscreen can wear off, wash off, or be applied unevenly. Moreover, sunscreen only protects the areas that are covered by it, leaving other parts of your body vulnerable.
Long sleeve shirts can provide more consistent and comprehensive protection for your arms, which are often exposed to the sun.
However, not all long sleeve shirts are equally effective. The level of protection depends on the fabric’s Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF), which is a measure of how much UV radiation can penetrate through the fabric.
Cotton and linen shirts have a UPF of 5, meaning 95% of UV rays can pass through them.
Polyester has a UPF of over 30, meaning less than 3% of UV rays can pass through it.
Some clothes are specially designed to have built-in sun protection, with tightly woven threads that block out UV rays. These clothes usually have a UPF label indicating their rating.
If you want to protect your skin from the sun, look for long sleeve shirts that have a high UPF rating or are made of synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon.
Keep You Cool and Moisturized
Another benefit of wearing long sleeve shirts is that they can actually keep you cooler and more comfortable in hot weather.
This may sound counterintuitive, but there is scientific evidence to back it up.
A study by researchers from Harvard University and Tel Aviv University found that Bedouins in the Sinai desert wore black robes to minimize solar heat loads in a hot desert.
They measured the heat gain and loss of a volunteer wearing different levels of coverage and different colored clothing in the desert sun for 30 minutes.
They found that long sleeves and more clothing kept the wearer cooler because they created a small air flow between the skin and the fabric, which helped dissipate heat and sweat.
The color of the clothing did not make a significant difference because the additional heat absorbed by the black robe was lost before it reached the skin.
Another study by researchers from Stanford University found that cotton fabrics soaked in a solution containing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) could lower body temperature by up to 4 degrees Celsius compared to normal cotton fabrics.
MOFs are porous materials that can absorb water and release it as vapor when heated. The researchers explained that this process creates a cooling effect similar to sweating but without wetting the skin.
Long sleeve shirts can also help retain moisture in your skin, which can prevent dryness and irritation.
Dry skin can be caused by low humidity, air conditioning, or excessive washing. Dry skin can lead to itching, cracking, inflammation, and infection.
Long sleeve shirts can act as a barrier between your skin and the environment, preventing moisture loss and keeping your skin hydrated.
If you want to keep cool and moisturized in hot weather, look for long sleeve shirts that are made of breathable fabrics like cotton or linen.
You can also look for fabrics that have moisture-wicking properties like polyester or nylon. Avoid fabrics that are too tight or too thick, as they can trap heat and sweat.
Enhance Your Style and Versatility
A third benefit of wearing long sleeve shirts is that they can enhance your style and versatility. Long sleeve shirts come in a variety of colors, patterns, designs, and fits.
You can find casual long sleeve shirt women’s that suit your personality and preferences.
You can also mix and match them with different bottoms, accessories, and shoes to create different looks.
Long sleeve shirts can also be adapted to different occasions and seasons.
You can wear them as they are for a simple and elegant look, or you can layer them with jackets, sweaters, or vests for a more cozy and sophisticated look.
You can also roll up the sleeves, button up or down, or tie a knot for a more casual and playful look.
Long sleeve shirts can also help you transition from day to night, from work to play, or from summer to fall.
You can wear them with jeans and sneakers for a relaxed and comfortable outfit, or you can wear them with skirts and heels for a chic and classy outfit.
You can also wear them with shorts and sandals for a breezy and summery outfit, or you can wear them with pants and boots for a warm and autumnal outfit.
If you want to enhance your style and versatility, look for long sleeve shirts that have a flattering fit and a neutral color.
You can also look for long sleeve shirts that have some interesting details like prints, embroidery, lace, or buttons. These can add some flair and personality to your outfit.
