Beachwear Brands Overlook Men's Tops, Says Monocle's Asia Editor

In a recent opinion article for Monocle, Asia editor James Chambers expresses his discontent with menswear brands that overlook stylish upper body beachwear. He points out that summer collections frequently lack fashionable, breathable tops, highlighting that brands like Frescobol Carioca and Ripa Ripa utilize linen shirts, while Orlebar Brown and Vilebrequin provide limited options for rashguards. Chambers underscores a growing demand for sun protection and identifies a market void for well-crafted beach tops, referencing his own experiences with a Scubapro rashguard and Uniqlo Dry-Ex T-shirts. Residing in Asia since 2014, he notes cultural tendencies to avoid tanning, especially in South Korea, and anticipates that fashion trends will embrace this style, favoring reusable sun protection over sunscreen. The article features an image by Mariano Herrera.