An item of [clothing] that is often worn by [surfing|surfers], but is increasingly worn by non-surfers. The name comes from the way that the shirt helps prevent a [rash] forming on the chest of the surfer caused by lying on the [surfboard|board].

Rash shirts are typically made of a combination of [nylon] and [lycra], and are worn tight against the [skin]. They can be long- or short-sleeved.

In addition to their rash prevention characteristics, they also protect from [sunburn], which explains their increasing popularity amongst non-surfers, particularly in [Australia], which has a preponderance of light-skinned people and very high levels of [ultraviolet|UV radiation].

Bizarrely enough, the wearing of rash shirts is banned in some [Japan|Japanese] outdoor pools. Damn those [gomi day|pool nazis]!

rash shirt (thing)