It’s summertime in the Charlotte, which for me always mean it’s time to pull out the Coolibar sun protectant clothes! Ever since my three sons were babies, I’ve relied on Coolibar swimwear to make fun in the pool, in the sun and at the beach not 
only safe, but a breeze. And I’ve come to depend on it for myself too! As a mom with red hair and a history of melanoma, I want and need swimwear that will allow me to play with my boys in the sun without missing a beat!
Every year, I like to try out something new from Coolibar, whether it’s swimsuits and sunhats for my boys, bathing suits, cover-ups and sundresses for me. Last year I tried my first long-sleeved bathing suit and loved it. This year I took it a step further and tried the knee-length bathing suit. It’s basically like a wet suit, with long sleeves and shorts (and with a built-in bra, which I know is key for a lot of moms!!) I wasn’t sure how it would feel, wearing so much material on the beach, but after spending a week in Isle of Palms, S.C. I can tell you, it not only gives you great coverage, it’s super comfortable. It felt like I was wearing pajamas to the 
beach! The print fabric made it forgiving in the midsection for a mama of three, and it helped me suit up and sunblock my faces and some faces and legs of my three boys, without having to spend an hour getting ready to get to the beach!
Another favorite of mine this year from Coolibar is the swim skort and coordinating long-sleeved swim shirt. I have always loved the flattering lines of wearing a bathing suit with a skirt on the bottom, and now I’ve got one from Coolibar and it’s a separate – not attached to a “tankini.” That means I can wear it around on its own, which I’ve done! It’s so comfortable and easy and with temperatures already in the upper 90s and low 100s this summer (yikes) you want to do anything to wick away some perspiration! Sometimes I pair it with a short-sleeved running shirt that I have, just to keep the cool and moisture-wicking theme going, and wear it out and about.
If I’m taking my kids to swim lessons (and jumping in the pool with them afterward) I’ll wear the swim shirt with the skort. This was my first year trying a swim shirt, and to be honest, I really wasn’t sure about how it would work for a full-figured 
gal. But the built-in bra support does the job. I’m not saying I’d go running in it, but it keeps things in check for a day around the pool!!
As for my boys, I love having the ease of putting them in long-sleeved swimsuit tops, especially when there are three kids to get out the door! They have been wearing long-sleeved rash guards since they were babies and actually prefer them to the short sleeves. My oldest son, who is 6 now, loves his neck-to-knee one-piece suit, and he’s had one that’s lasted two or three summers now. An added perk I’ve discovered this summer is it’s easy to toss into his camp bag, knowing he won’t lose a part of his bathing suit along the way, and he’ll also be sun-protected when I’m not there to help with the sun-blocking job!
Over the years, Coolibar has caught on with our entire family. My mom, who just turned 82, sported swim leggings and a long-sleeved swim shirt on this beach trip and it was the perfect look for her, while lounging under an umbrella and watching her grandsons play in the ocean. My sister, who has 
a backyard pool, basically lives in Coolibar cover-ups and swimsuits in the summer. As for our family, we wore them on the beach, in the pool, and on a boat ride in the Charleston Harbor. It’s such a luxury to know you’re protected for hours at a time!
Check out the latest trends and styles at Coolibar.com.
