[QUOTE=arlosmine;7580811]
I go to REI in the early winter and stock up on their brand of “sun shirts”. They are GREAT in hot weather: remember that cultures in hot climates often “make their own shade” with loose fitting fabric. It really works. It’s much more cool, amd ore comfortable than sleeveless shirts.[/QUOTE]
I do the same, except wear a Girls XL, because I am short! I do have to leave the bottom snap unsnapped since I have hips, though…
I love the Le Fash long sleeve show shirts. They’re great for schooling and for showing! Super stylish, and light weight with some stretchy bamboo fabric for a great fit!
www.lefashny.com
Ok so how is this for weird. I just got the Bette & Court shirts I ordered. One in crimson, one in white. Plastic packaging is different, tags are different. One days “Swing Bette & Court”, other just says “Bette & Court”. Both have different manufacturing origins (one is Vietnam, other is Taiwan). Crimson fits more like the Riding Sport-short and boxy. White fits great-longer length, slimmer fit.
Anyone know if they switched manufacturers or have they always been like this? Big difference in fit across colors? Older versus newer batches fitting better, or vice versa?
Sports Authority is having an online sale for 25% off one item plus free shipping. I found out about it because I bought this in person yesterday and really liked it. http://www.sportsauthority.com/product/index.jsp?productId=23503196&view=grid. I ended up buying two more online for a total of $35!
I currently have a few sunshield shirts. I am italian, with a very olive skin tone and a sun-worshipper. I tan, I dont burn, my “red” is either non-existent or the beginning of a bronze glow. This photo and story shocked me (and yes, skin cancer too).
I currently have the Tailored Sportsman IceFil Shirt. Definitely my favorite by far. I was in Dover picking up one of the shirts, the Riding Sport one at $50, TS at $65. The quality of the TS BLOWS the Riding Sport one out of the water, especially for $15 more. I bought another one to be my show shirt for the rated local shows in the Jumper ring.
Ariat Sunstopper Shirt. EASILY best schooling shirt. I bought this at Equine Affair for $25- hello, bargain. Flattering, cool, lightweight fabric (TS fabric is a bit heavier). I’m looking to purchase more of these for myself and have the girls I teach get them to lesson in the summer.
Smartpak’s Sunshield shirt. Bought last month during a 20% off Smartpak items and paid about $50. They’re okay. I wish they had a mesh lining underneath the arm (hello armpit air breeze, it feels so nice while cantering). I sweat in this shirt, but I feel its cooler than wearing a t-shirt.
My next purchase will be an EIS shirt. This thread makes me happy- because despite the “trend” everyone is being cautious for their own health.
So this week I really compared my different UPF, sweat-wicking long sleeves. Although I love the colors of the Athleta brand, definitely only comfortable in the mid 70’s. My favorite cut and fun zipper is the Pheel Breeze shirt. It is almost an open mesh and I am not entirely sure it has a decent UPF rating, but always getting complements from horse and non-horse people on it. Not Velcro friendly, however, and good for low 80’s. My tailored sportsman is pretty cool to wear, but not sure how much that fitting like a crop top comes into play. It is tight on the arms which kind of seems to help with the cooling effect. Hope they come out with a “tall” option, although I am only 5’5". The Kastel is my favorite and it looks like they are coming out with new colors and maybe a plaid design for summer. Over 88 degrees, I think I would still prefer a loose tank. I’ve also tried the gauzy cotton/linen button down type shirts, but prefer the tech shirts over those.
I just got two of the SmartPak SunShield shirts and I like them. They’re definitely cooler than the polos I usually wear, with the added bonus of sun protection. Like lindsay.anne said, I do wish they had mesh under the sleeves, but other than that they’re great. They fit quite nicely too- not super snug!
I’ve never seen this - my Swing shirts that I bought at the Atlanta horse show all say Made in Vietnam…the sizing has been consistent throughout. Does the tag report different material between the two?
[QUOTE=KateKat;7598479]
Ok so how is this for weird. I just got the Bette & Court shirts I ordered. One in crimson, one in white. Plastic packaging is different, tags are different. One days “Swing Bette & Court”, other just says “Bette & Court”. Both have different manufacturing origins (one is Vietnam, other is Taiwan). Crimson fits more like the Riding Sport-short and boxy. White fits great-longer length, slimmer fit.
Anyone know if they switched manufacturers or have they always been like this? Big difference in fit across colors? Older versus newer batches fitting better, or vice versa?[/QUOTE]
Funny. I ordered one in Jade (green) and Crimson. Yes, my Crimson says “Swing Bette&Court” and my Jade just says “Bette & Court” but has “swing” on the little zipper. From my understanding, the company I bought from (Essex Golf) had to order Crimson from the manufacturer. So I would say that the Jade “Bette&Court” one is an older style while the Crimson “Swing Bette&Court” are a new style.
Tried on Jade, adore the fit. I just put the Crimson right up against the Jade and they are identical in cut/length/etc. So perhaps you just got a bad apple or the color is making your body look different.
In compare to the TS icefill shirts, I love the Bette&Court way, way more.
I just picked up an Ariat Sunstopper shirt and love it – it’s lightweight and dried almost instantly. I rode yesterday in 85 degree heat. However the fabric isn’t as soft as the other shirts, so it was a little scratchy. I liked how it was fitted with darts - no baggy fit.
[QUOTE=candico;7601111]
My favorite cut and fun zipper is the Pheel Breeze shirt. It is almost an open mesh and I am not entirely sure it has a decent UPF rating, but always getting complements from horse and non-horse people on it. Not Velcro friendly, however, and good for low 80’s. [/QUOTE]Super cute shirt, thanks for recommending! I just ordered one.
Just wanted to comment that I love my shirts from Sports Authority. They are much cooler than wearing a t-shirt and the white one isn’t totally see through. Added benefit: they dry instantly after a bath.
I didn’t love the SmartPak shirt. It was OK when I was moving, but warmer when there wasn’t any breeze and the neck portion felt super warm. It also didn’t dry as quickly and it wasn’t even particularly humid the day I tried it.
Does anyone wear any of these sun-shirts under a coat for a schooling show?
[QUOTE=karasha;7604229]
Funny. I ordered one in Jade (green) and Crimson. Yes, my Crimson says “Swing Bette&Court” and my Jade just says “Bette & Court” but has “swing” on the little zipper. From my understanding, the company I bought from (Essex Golf) had to order Crimson from the manufacturer. So I would say that the Jade “Bette&Court” one is an older style while the Crimson “Swing Bette&Court” are a new style.
Tried on Jade, adore the fit. I just put the Crimson right up against the Jade and they are identical in cut/length/etc. So perhaps you just got a bad apple or the color is making your body look different.
In compare to the TS icefill shirts, I love the Bette&Court way, way more.[/QUOTE]
I’m guessing bad apple then. I held the two shirts up to each other as well, and the crimson is at least an inch shorter than the white. I did go with the mock collar though, did you get the polo collar?
[QUOTE=KateKat;7608213]
I’m guessing bad apple then. I held the two shirts up to each other as well, and the crimson is at least an inch shorter than the white. I did go with the mock collar though, did you get the polo collar?[/QUOTE]
Yes, I went with the polo collar. Yeah, both of mine were exactly the same length. Return it! I think this type of stuff happens sometimes on accident. Sucks it happened though. 
Yeah it does suck but in the scheme of things, its probably best to return. I don’t NEED another sun shirt but I do need extra cash for what is sure to be a big vet bill 
I was going to buy the Coolibar one mentioned previously (for about $44 with a coupon code) and then I happened to be at a local tack store for a Belmont party and found the Ovation Cool Rider shirts! Bought the long sleeve zip mock in a pretty royal blue for $38 and wore it today in 90 degree heat doing a little fitness/conditioning trail ride (read: trot sets on hills in the blazing sun and crazy wind). It was lovely. I love it. Fits me very nicely, long enough to stay tucked in but not all the way past my butt like the Ariat Heat-Tek shortsleeve shirt I tried on at the same store (fabric on that felt great though!). Kept me comfortable depsite the crummy weather although the high winds made it feel less like 93 degrees than it should have. Will be wearing it again on Tuesday in my jump lesson, forecast says 98 right now, but I am giving this one a HUGE THUMBS UP for it’s first impression and GREAT price point!
Has anyone got an Essex talent yarn competition shirt and do you know how their sizing compares with EIS?
[QUOTE=Promise No More;7614396]
I was going to buy the Coolibar one mentioned previously (for about $44 with a coupon code) and then I happened to be at a local tack store for a Belmont party and found the Ovation Cool Rider shirts! Bought the long sleeve zip mock in a pretty royal blue for $38 and wore it today in 90 degree heat doing a little fitness/conditioning trail ride (read: trot sets on hills in the blazing sun and crazy wind). It was lovely. I love it. Fits me very nicely, long enough to stay tucked in but not all the way past my butt like the Ariat Heat-Tek shortsleeve shirt I tried on at the same store (fabric on that felt great though!). Kept me comfortable depsite the crummy weather although the high winds made it feel less like 93 degrees than it should have. Will be wearing it again on Tuesday in my jump lesson, forecast says 98 right now, but I am giving this one a HUGE THUMBS UP for it’s first impression and GREAT price point![/QUOTE]
I just want to remind people that unless the shirt states that is has SPF properties, it doesn’t. I was very dutiful one summer in wearing long sleeved shirts for riding and hiking, and ended up with a racer-back sports bra tan from doing so. There has to be a tight weave in the fabric.
Whew. My Bette & Court shirts arrived and they are HUGE. At least 3 inches bigger around the midsection than the Tailored Sportsman. Order a size down if you want them to be more form-fitting.
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