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Protecting your skin is the ultimate style statement.

Preventing skin cancer doesn't stop at spot checks, sunscreen, and avoiding the sun between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm. And, because we can't always be indoors during the day, opting for a skin-smart look is increasingly important. To stay fashionably safe, we recommend these additions to your summer wardrobe:

Heads Up, Hats are In

A hat with a 3" or greater brim will offer coverage for your nose, ears, and eyes. While wearing a hat alone is not sufficient to shield you from all damaging rays (it's similar to wearing SPF 5 sunscreen), it's incredibly helpful for quick trips outside or as an additional layer of protection. If improved skin safety isn't enough, a wide-brimmed hat is also going to prevent squinting, limiting the development of fine lines around your eyes and across your brow. Now that's a good look.

Accessorize your Eyes

The skin around your eyes is thin and delicate, leaving it incredibly vulnerable to damaging UV rays. When choosing sunglasses, think big – big protection and big lenses. Look for shades that block 99-100% of both UVA and UVB rays for maximum impact. When selecting your style, size matters – the bigger the lenses, the greater the protection – so, be sure to cover as much of the eyelid and surrounding eye area as possible. Just like sunscreen, you should be wearing your sunglasses every day, even when it's cloudy. On an overcast day, you are still exposed to 80% of the sun's harmful UV rays.

Get Technical with Sun Protective Clothing

UPF-rated clothing is another stylish way to stop damaging exposure. With an increasing number of brands offering weaved-in protection, there is a style to suit everyone. Thicker fabrics and darker colors will offer extra coverage while getting clothing wet or laundering incorrectly can decrease effectiveness. Be sure to check all instructions before wearing to make sure you get the most from your attire.

Your Outfit is not Enough

Even with sun-safe styling, it's still critical that you wear sunscreen, reapply often, and choose products that meet your needs and activity level. Check out our post on selecting the right sunscreen for more information. If you notice a suspicious spot or mole, get it checked out immediately. Our board-certified dermatologists are available 24/7/365 to conduct spot checks in addition to treating over 3,000 conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.