Impressions: It has been too many years since I’ve reviewed a product from Sunday Afternoons. In fact, the last product reviewed was their Adventure Hat (August 2003), which I still use on every trip, so I thought it was time I look into other products they offer to provide us anglers with better sun protection.

The Sunday Afternoons Island Breeze CLASSIC STYLED shirt

Sunday Afternoons, established in 1990, designs UV protective apparel and focuses on this type of product specifically. One such product that impressed me when I first saw it is the Island Breeze shirt. This button-down shirt is simple yet stylish and you can wear it before, during, and after fishing. The shirt has a single button pocket and sleeve tabs to convert from long to short sleeve when needed. Mesh vents are in critical areas to provide proper ventilation and the 100% Micro-Polyester fabric feels soft and comfortable during initial inspection.

A single pocket buttoned classic styling, making this shirt good for fishing and other occasions

 
Field Tests: I’ve had the Sunday Afternoons Island Breeze shirt for over two years now. I’ve worn it to El Salto, Mexico in July, El Novillo, Mexico in March where we experienced 100 degree days, and through many more Summer record heat days here in California fishing for bass, striped bass, rockfish, and even albacore tuna.

A closer look at the mesh vents

Comfort: The Island Breeze is excellent in this category. The fabric, made from 100% micro-polyester, is lightweight and feels silky soft to the skin when wearing just the shirt alone, and in all temperatures. The micro-polyester material is also wicking so sweat won’t stay on your skin for long. I had days in Mexico where I was sweating from head to toe, yet thanks to the shirt, I still felt dry and comfortable fishing all day long.

Under-arm mesh vents provide excellent ventilation. It also runs past the armpits and down a little

Not only does the fabric feel comfortable, it’s also in the design of the shirt itself beginning with the correct cut and fit. The Sunday Afternoons shirt is cut generously and is loose all around yet is designed to fit correctly without feeling baggy.

Back vents on the Island Breeze

Loose, soft and lightweight material makes the Island Breeze an ideal shirt for anglers to wear during the Summer months. But an outdoors shirt isn’t complete without ventilation. Sunday Afternoons makes copious use of mesh underneath the arms and back for effective ventilation for maximum comfort. The mesh in the underarm area runs from the armpit to an inch above the cuff.