Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get around your website?
Move your mouse over one of the topic heading 'sun logos' on the top of any web page. To go to one of the subtopics that appears when you 'mouse-over' a particular topic heading, move your mouse downward and click on the subtopic you would like to visit.
There is a vertical scroll bar on the lower right side of each page to scroll up or down in the text. Use your mouse to drag the scroll bar ball down or up to advance or go backward in the text. To advance the style photos on the lookbook pages of the collection section, click the right or left arrow of the horizontal scroll bar. You need a Flash browser plugin to view the site properly.
What is performance activewear?
Performance activewear intelligently combines the technical advances in fabric technology (UV protection, resilient stretch, temperature control and moisture management, anti-microbial odor reduction, heat reflection) with golf and other active sport-specific design features that enhance performance, such as arm and shoulder ease for an unrestricted golf swing, tops that do not interfere with the putting stroke, functional pockets, longer rear shirt length for golf and cycling since your active position is leaning forward and you need extra coverage in the back.
Performance activewear keeps you dry (because of the wicking capability of the fabric) and comfortable (because you're dry), and, depending on the garment, also protects you from rain, wind, UV, temperature variations as appropriate. Performance apparel is meant to be used for active sports and to maintain its shape, function and looks after repeated wear and many wash cycles.
Why is UV protective clothing important?
UV protection is important because sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer and over one in 5 Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US; each year there are more new cases of skin cancer than the combined incidence of cancers of the breast, prostate, lung and colon. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or 5 or more sunburns at any age more than doubles the risk of melanoma later in life. And to add insult to injury, up to 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.
The good news? Skin cancer is highly preventable with UV protection, including UV protective apparel, sunglasses, sunscreens and reducing sun exposure between 10Am to 4PM. (Source: The Skin Cancer Foundation)
How do I play it safe in the sun?
The Skin Cancer Foundation asked several athletes who are uniquely qualified to advise- they're also dermatologists! As skin expert, all of them take certain general precautions and recommend that you do the same:
• Avoid outdoor athletics between the peak sun hours of 10 AM and 4 PM
• Wear UV protective clothing, hats and UV-blocking sunglasses. The Skin Cancer Foundation considers UPF 30-49 fabrics to be very good protection and UPF 50+ to be excellent fun protection
• Use a broad spectrum, sweat-resistant SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, being careful to cover often-missed exposed spots such as the hands and the back of the neck.
Where can I find out more about UV protection and preventing skin cancer?
Please check our links page for more information. The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable with UV protection.
What is the difference between SPF and UPF sun protection rating scales?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a UV sun rating for sunscreen lotions and sprays which basically has some poor smoe stick his/her arm in UV light and the time until s/he gets sunburned is measured. If that guy/gal sunburns in 5 minutes without sunscreen and, for example, ten times longer (50 minutes) with sunscreen,then that lotion is SPF 10. This is a measure of UVB (think Burning rays), not UVA spectrum rays (think Aging/skin damage rays). N.B. your mileage will vary.
UPF (UV Protection Factor) is used for fabrics and measures how much UVA and UVB radiation gets thru the fabric barrier. For example, UPF 50 means that the amount of the UVA and UVB radiation that makes it through the fabric is 1/50 or 2% of the incoming UVA and UVB light. UPF 50+ (the highest allowable rating) means less than 2% of the UV light gets through. UPF 30 means 1/30 = 3.33% of the incoming UV rays get through to you, etc. So higher UPF ratings have better UV protection. The way the UV radiation is measured and how fabrics are UPF-rated is specified by the AATCC standards agency so it is very repeatable.
Lotions and Potions vs Sun Protection apparel... Why shouldn't I just stick to my usual sunscreen?
You definitely can! The advantage of Iconic Sport's sun protection apparel is that Iconic's sun protection is mechanical, not chemical and so it does not wash out, rub off or sweat off-- they are an intrinsic part of our fabrics. Part of the problem with sunscreening lotions is that most people neither apply enough sunscreen nor do they reapply frequently enough. There's also the stickiness/glop factor and the fact that sunscreen chemicals are absorbed into your body with unclear consequences.
With sun protection apparel you avoid the 'sticky' factor of sunscreens and the scary pollutant factor which is being reported about a number of common sunscreen ingredients which are showing up systematically in our population and in our oceans, lakes and waterways. From a cost effectiveness point of view, our sunsleeves cost about the same as 2-3 bottles of sunscreen and can be used over and over...
Why SunSleeves?
A round of golf, a training ride/run, afternoon hike, tennis match -- all great fun but all can be a long time in the sun-- and most people don't apply sunscreen liberally or frequently enough. UV protective sunsleeves provide sun protection which will not rub, sweat or wash off. The ideal sunsleeves for golf and other arm-active sports should be comfortable (not hot!), with the highest UV protection rating (UPF 50+), resilient stretch and recovery, with perspiration-wicking and anti-microbial/ anti-odor properties. They should be machine washable of course! Our sunsleeves are available in prints and solids, in unisex size XXS/Junior to XXL. For more information, pls see our Sun sleeve FAQ in English or in Japanese.
What are Armwarmers?
Armwarmers are handy layering elements (sleeves) to keep your arms warm when temperatures vary and you prefer to wear a short sleeve shirt for the warmer part of your activities. Our armwarmers are unisex, have resillient stretch so they stay one and don't get baggy during the round, wick perspiration, and are anti-microbial/anti-odor, have a great hand, are UPF 50+ and come in Unisex sizes XS to XXL.
Why Arm warmers for golf and other arm-active sports?
Although we appropriated the idea from cycling, armwarmers are perfect for cool morning rounds which warm up by the turn or late rounds which turn chilly by the last few holes. The best armwarmers for arm-active sports are comfortable, UV protective at UPF 50+ (the highest available UV rating), with perspiration- wicking, anti-microbial/ anti-odor properties and resilient stretch and recovery. They should be machine washable of course!
Why not use cycling armwarmers for golf?
You could of course, but cyclists don't move their arms much and many cycling armwarmers are stiff. We chose a fabric with great stretch and resillience so it won't bind during your swing and won't get baggy over the course of a few rounds... For more information, pls see our armwarmer FAQ in English or in Japanese.
How are your Sunsleeves different from your armwarmers?
Both styles have the same sizing and performance features (wicking, breathability, anti-microbial/anti-odor and UPF 50+ UV protection.
The difference is in the fabric used. The armwarmer fabric is a mid-weight jersey knit which is meant to be a layering piece to keep you warm and is the thickest of the 4 fabrics we use for our sleeve accessories. The del Sol sunsleeves come in three lightweight fabrics, a lightweight french terry knit (has flat loops on the skin side), and an ultra-lightweight jersey (our lightest weight fabric for hottest climates-- our customers in the tropics and desert (up to heat indicies of 140F!) tell us our sleeves are cooler than bare skin!) and our new print sunsleeves in our signiture very lightweight silky knit print fabric which coordinates with our print shirt styles or can spice up a solid top.
Why is having women-specific design important for performance activewear?
Women's apparel should not be men's apparel cut smaller. Because of the obvious shape differences, women need ease in the chest and shoulder areas to accommodate our shape and motion during the swing for golf, for example. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways, but it is important that that ease does not result in a baggy midsection which interferes with the top of the putter shaft while putting, or a drooping fabric bulk in the shoulder that binds during the swing.
What's wrong with S-M-L sizing?
We think that both comfort and flattering style depends on good fit. If your clothing has a tailored silhouette, this just cannot be accomplished with Small/Medium/Large sizing. That's why we offer sizes 2-16 for our fitted styles.
What is a SunBolero™?
Our del Sol SunBolero™ is a new product we're introducing this year for women (sorry guys!) who want add-on sun protection while wearing a sleeveless or cap sleeve top. Our SunSleeves are great with short sleeve or longer cap sleeve tops but for sleeveless shirts, well, there's a gap.
So taking a page from cycling, we decided to introduce a UPF 50+ SunBolero™ which is a bolero-like top which can be worn over or under sleeveless or short cap sleeve tops withouth any gaps in UV protection. Made from the same UPF 50+ great ultralightweight jersey and very lightweight silky print fabric we already use in our del Sol SunSleeves, it's a great piece to tuck into your golf bag...
And for those who prefer a UPF 50+ twinset, combine our SunCardigan™ and Mock turtle top in cap sleeves or sleeveless for an unbeatable sun protective, wicking, breathable, stretch combination. Available in prints and solids.
What is a SunDickie™?
Our del Sol SunDickie™ is a new product we're introducing this year for men and women who want add-on UPF 50+ sun protection of their neck while wearing a traditional open neck collared shirt. Those from the midwest (or a certain age) may remember these as warmth or fashion neckwear...
Made from the same UPF 50+ great ultralightweight jersey and very lightweight silky print fabric we already use in our del Sol SunSleeves the del Sol SunDIckie is a loose mock turtleneck which covers the back of your neck and upper chest, tucks in under your polo and helps you avoid the buttoned-up dorky look and is much cooler too. it's a great piece to tuck into your golf bag...
Where is Iconic™ clothing made?
All Iconic Sport golfwear is designed and manufactured in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California... Go USA!!
Where can I buy your products?
Iconic products are sold at select pro shops and retailers. If there is not a retailer in your area, please ask your local retailer to contact us! You can also purchase iconic products from our website.
I have questions about buying from the iconic website
You can also purchase iconic products from our website. Here's a link to our Iconic website store FAQ.
Can I give you some feedback and suggestions?
We would love to get your feedback and suggestions! Your feedback helps us improve our products and services. Customer suggestions have helped us develop new products such as our Spyglass Armwarmers and to select new colorways. Please email our founder, designer and chief weenie Leslie Chow at lchow [at] iconicsport.com
How can I reach Iconic™ customer service?
Contact us at customercare [at] iconicsport.com or 415-861-3603 between 9AM to 6PM Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.
How can I become an Iconic™ retailer?
Contact us at sales [at] iconicsport.com