As lockdown eases and life slowly begins to return to some kind of normality, people’s thoughts are turning to summer and being outdoors again in the sunshine.

And although it’s great to be able to top up our Vitamin D levels, prolonged exposure to the sun without adequate protection is dangerous and damaging to our skin. 

Bristol-based father and son beachwear brand Tom & Teddy is inspired by the beach lifestyle of Sydney, where husband and wife team Jelle de Jong and Michelle L’Huillier used to live. 

The couple then moved to Singapore, where they launched their range of matching father and son beachwear products, before relocating to Bristol with their sons Tom and Alexander in 2016. 

From their time in Australia, they were acutely aware of the dangers of prolonged exposure to the sun, so decided to launch their own range of UPF50+ rash vests - a lightweight shirt that protects against ultraviolet radiation, made from stretch nylon/polyester fabric and worn when swimming to protect the skin from sun exposure and sand abrasions. 

Tom & Teddy’s rash vests offer UPF50+ protection, as tested by The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency, and the fabric is resistant to both chlorine and saltwater, so they won’t breakdown, go baggy or lose its shape after ocean swims or dips in the pool. Unlike most rash vests on the market, Tom & Teddy’s version has a T-shirt style that’s not clingy and is easy to pull on and off, even when wet.  

“With climate change the risk of skin cancer is real and growing. People can still contract the disease from prolonged exposure to the sun if they are only covered by cotton or any other light fabric, or likewise if they are in the water without a skin covering,” says Michelle L’Huillier. 

“That’s why we decided it was essential to offer a high-protection rash vest within our swimwear collections. 

“We had four key things in mind: the vest would have to offer outstanding UPF protection, it would need to be extra - easy to take on and off even when wet, it had to be durable and not break down or lose its shape after just one or two summer seasons, and it should be the ideal co-ordinating sun-safe piece for our entire swim trunks range. 

“When you wear our rash guard in the water, direct sunlight and sun reflecting off the water are absorbed by the fabric and your skin is shielded from the UV rays that can burn skin.  

“Another benefit of wearing a rash vest is that in cold water, it can offer an extra layer of insulation when worn underneath an insulating wet suit.”