Key takeaways
- A Nashie is a collared, button-up UPF50+ swim shirt. The name is short for “Not a Rashie”.
- It's loose, doesn't cling when wet and dries in minutes, so you can swim in it and wear it to lunch.
- Men's short and long sleeve run S to 6XL, and the women's range runs S to 5XL.
A Nashie is a collared, button-up UPF50+ swim shirt. The name is short for “Not a Rashie”. It looks like a proper shirt, you swim in it the way you would a rashie, and it dries in minutes. So the Nashie you wore into the water is the one you wear to lunch.
Good to know: Nashie (na-shie), noun. A loose fitting, stylish swim shirt designed in Australia that looks good when worn in the water, and on land.
A Nashie at a glance
| What it is | A collared, button-up swim shirt |
|---|---|
| The name | Short for “Not a Rashie” |
| Sun protection | UPF50+, which blocks 98% of UV |
| Fabric | A quick-dry polyester and spandex blend. Buttery soft, chlorine and salt water resistant |
| Fit | Loose. It sits off the skin and doesn't cling when wet |
| Range | Short sleeve, long sleeve, women's and swim shorts |
| Sizes | Men's S to 6XL, women's S to 5XL |
| Made by | Nashie. 100% Australian owned, started in Brisbane |
| Reviews | 6,000+ reviews, 4.9 stars |
Why it's called a Nashie
“Nashie” is short for “Not a Rashie”.
The rashie was never designed for a day at the beach. It was invented for surfers, to stop board wax rubbing their chests raw, and it's tight because it has to be. Australia borrowed it for sun protection because it already existed and it covered skin. Then we spent a few decades peeling them off in car parks.
A Nashie is the update. UPF50+ sun protection, in something you'd happily wear to the pub.
Nashie vs rashie: what's the difference?
Rashie, rash shirt, rash vest, rash top. Different names, same garment: tight, stretchy, and pulled on over your head. Here's how a Nashie compares.
| Rashie or rash shirt | Nashie | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Tight and stretchy | Loose, sits off the skin |
| Look | Sportswear | A collared, button-up shirt |
| When it's wet | Clings | Doesn't cling, doesn't go see-through |
| Getting it off | Peeled over your head | Unbuttoned |
| After the swim | You get changed | You keep it on. It dries in minutes |
| Sun protection | Usually UPF50+ | UPF50+ |
| Most at home | In the surf | At the pool, the beach, on the boat, and at the pub after |
“Looks like a casual shirt, functions like a rashie. Great for holidays.”
Eleanor L., verified buyer
What makes a Nashie a Nashie
It dries in minutes
Towel off, stand in the sun, and a Nashie dries in minutes while you're still wearing it. Sun and a bit of breeze do the work. Nothing hung over the pool fence. No sitting through lunch in something soggy.
UPF50+ sun protection
Every Nashie is rated UPF50+, which blocks 98% of UV. And because it's a shirt you'd wear anyway, there's way less sunscreen to rub in, reapply and miss a spot with.
It looks like a real shirt
Collar. Buttons. A proper cut. From across the bar it reads as a shirt, not swimwear, which is the whole idea. Beach to bar. Pool to pub.
It doesn't cling
Wet rashies stick. A Nashie's fabric sits off the skin when it's wet and doesn't go see-through, so it drapes like a shirt in the water and out of it.
“Extremely comfortable wet or dry and doesn't stick to me like my old rashie did when wet.”
Andries N., verified buyer
Buttery soft, and built for salt and chlorine
The fabric took 18 months to develop. It's buttery soft, it's chlorine and salt water resistant, and it hides sweat on a hot day. It doesn't need ironing either, which matters when it's living in a suitcase.
Where people wear a Nashie
The pool with the kids, then lunch. The beach, then the surf club. A week in Bali with half the usual luggage. The boat, the caravan park, the backyard, the golf course. Anywhere you'd otherwise be choosing between covering up and looking decent.
“Literally can wear it to the bar from the beach!”
Trevor G., verified buyer
“a happy hubby (because he doesn't have to get changed) and a happy wife (because he looks stylish without the fuss)”
Mrs F., verified buyer
“Currently travelling with them in Thailand. Perfect for travelling light, dries quickly … no iron comfortable to wear”
PAUL S., verified buyer
The Nashie range and sizing
Nashies come in men's short sleeve and long sleeve, a women's range, and matching swim shorts. Men's sizes run S to 6XL and women's S to 5XL.
The fit is relaxed and generous. If you're between sizes, consider sizing down, and check the size guide for the measurements.
A lot of Nashies are bought by somebody else. The wife, the mum, the daughter who's seen enough of him in a rashie. If that's you, the size guide takes two minutes.
Who makes Nashies?
Nashie is 100% Australian owned. It started in Brisbane with Tom and Ash, who wanted sun protection people would keep on all day without being asked. Surf lifesaving clubs around Australia are now asking for Nashies as their club shirts, Nashie has been featured in Australian media, and orders ship across Australia, to New Zealand, the US and beyond. The full story is on the About Us page.
Frequently asked questions
What does Nashie stand for?
“Nashie” is short for “Not a Rashie”. It's a collared, button-up UPF50+ swim shirt, made by the Australian brand of the same name.
Is a Nashie a rashie or a rash shirt?
It does a rashie's job: UPF50+ sun protection you can swim in. It just isn't built like one. A rashie or rash shirt is tight, stretchy and pulled on over your head. A Nashie is loose, collared and buttons up the front, so it passes as a normal shirt once you're out of the water.
Can you swim in a Nashie?
Yes, that's what it's for. The fabric is quick-dry, chlorine and salt water resistant, and sits off the skin when it's wet. A Nashie is a loose fit, so it's made for the pool and for calm water where you can comfortably stand. The proper use guide has the details.
How fast does a Nashie dry?
In minutes. It dries fastest while you're wearing it in the sun with a bit of breeze, after a quick towel off. It takes longer in the shade, in humid weather, or hung up indoors.
Is a Nashie UPF50+?
Yes. Every Nashie is rated UPF50+, which blocks 98% of UV.
Does a Nashie cling or go see-through when wet?
No. The fabric sits off the skin when it's wet and doesn't go see-through, so it drapes like a shirt in the water and out of it.
How does Nashie sizing run?
Relaxed and generous. If you're between sizes, consider sizing down. Men's sizes run S to 6XL and women's S to 5XL, and the size guide has the measurements for each one.
Is there a women's Nashie?
Yes. The women's Nashie range comes in short sleeve and long sleeve, in sizes S to 5XL.
How do you wash a Nashie?
Machine wash in cold to warm water, up to 30°C, and tumble dry on low. No bleach and no dry-cleaning. It doesn't need ironing.
Where can you buy a Nashie?
Right here at thenashie.com, with free shipping when you grab 2 or more, easy returns, and Instant Exchanges available. Nashies are also stocked by selected Australian retailers.
Is Nashie an Australian brand?
Yes. Nashie is 100% Australian owned and started in Brisbane. You can read the full story on the About Us page.