Rash guards back as summer’s hottest trend
Left: Rash guard tops from Discovery for both men and women go well with regular beach pants for a sporty look. Right: Rash guards for women this year have become more fashionable, with various designs from 8 Seconds including crop tops and short bottoms. [DISCOVERY, 8SECONDS]
But unlike last summer, when the spandex shirts first became popular, the latest offerings are coming in more diverse designs and sizes.
As the name suggests, rash guards are designed to protect the wearer’s skin from the irritation that could come from the sun or different summer sports.
But that’s only part of the reason why Lee Hye-young, an office worker from Seoul planning a diving trip to the Philippines, already purchased several new pairs.
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What was first developed for surfers is now also increasingly used for other water sports.
In Korea, more people are becoming interested in summer sports like surfing, diving and snorkeling, which has helped boost the popularity of the protective shirts.
The outdoor brand Discovery said that compared to last year, it has tripled its production of rash guards to 150,000.
“There were so many orders for additional units last year when all items were sold out,” said Choi Kyeong-ae of Discovery.
“So this year we decided to increase the quantity. Since summer sports have emerged as the latest trend among young Koreans, we believe the rash guards will sell out fast again this year.”
Unlike last year’s designs, which all looked similar and focused more on protection than aesthetics, this year’s rash guards come in multiple colors and styles.
That’s evident in the swimwear corners of department stores nationwide, which have come to more closely resemble pop-up shops for rash guards, and in fashion magazines, which feature A-list celebrities advertising them while holding surfboards.
Some criticized last year’s rash guards for covering too much skin, but the options available this season are much shorter, resembling the crop-tops popular among young women during the summer.
One popular brand, Barrel, is offering both a short-length “crop rash guard” and a “zipper rash guard” that exposes more of the chest.
Super Link, another popular brand, is offering options in pastel colors that will appeal to those after a cuter look.
Hoping to capitalize on the trend, fast fashion brands have also launched their own rash guards that focus more on style than function.
“Many Korean consumers look for rash guards not just for protection but more for fashion,” said Yang Hye-jung, a representative for the brand 8 Seconds, explaining its decision to launch so many different kinds of rash guards this season.
BY PARK HYUN-YOUNG [sharon@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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