*updated from Wednesday, May 14, 2008 with new photos!
Now it’s Spring, and it’s time to shed the Nike ACG ski jackets and start thinking about warmer weather and how to protect yourself from the sun’s damaging rays. Luckily, the new, Nike ACG collection for Spring 2008 from Dicks Sporting Goods stores has has a wealth of casually chic clothing that covers you (literally and figuratively). The prices are modest, ranging from $35.00 for a women’s Pocono Tech Tee ($35.00) to $95.00 (for rain jackets and shells).
The ACG line features everything from socks and gloves to pants, to shorts, to shirts and jackets so you can clothe yourself from head to toe. The colors are fashionable and coordinated so you can mix and match and layer to suit whatever conditions and activity you’re into. But there’s function built into the style. For example, the technology of some of the fabrics, that will shield your body from the sun’s rays up to UPF30! One of these pieces that I really love in the Nike ACE line for this season is the 
Women’s Pearl Lake Polo $40.00 that protects you up to UPF 30+! That’s amazing! But the shirt isn’t just a dull, ho-hum protector. It’s a luxurious, soft-as-a-kitten, certified organic cotton Tee with a collar, and some ruching in the front for style, and a snap (at the V’d front) so you can cover up for work, and open the snap to show just a bit more, if you wish. The cap sleeve tee is slightly dressier than a regular Tee, so it works with everything from jeans to a casual suit or jacket, and it comes in four modern and wearable colors: Medium Brown, Sail (beige), Blue Chill (light blue) and Pink Clau (medium rose). 
There’s a Cliff Side Henley $40.00 that protects to UPF 30+. It has seven small buttons down the frony and fancy stitching around the placket, collar and sleeves. Also of 200% organic cotton (grown without pesticides or fertilizers, if being “green” is important to you). And, speaking of green, the Cliff Side Henly comes in blue, pink and beige, and also a nice khaki green called “Chlorophyll.” 
For layering there’s an UV Protectant UPF30+ Leisurly Layering Tank $35.00 in solids with subtle stripes: “Industrial Blue” (navy), Pink Clay, Sail, “Tweed” (taupe) and two designs of subtle print in either chlorophyll, or Sail. The tank is generously sized so you’ll be cool and comfortable, even if you’re layering.
Of course, these products are for active people, so the products also features bennies to keep you looking and performing your best, such as the moisture wicking, great for layering, slightly tapered design of the 
Pocono Women’s Tee $35.00 with Nike Dri-FIT to keepyou cool and comfy, even if you’re climbing a mountain or trekking through a hot, humid terrain.
Not every woman feels comfortable in shorts, so I suggest the Reebok Relaxed Crop Pants $28.00 with a stretch waistbands and internal draw-string, plus elegantly draping cropped legs, as an alternative. Made of 90% cotton and 10% spandex, these pants will look and feel comfy even after you’ve washed them dozens and dozens of times. A small, Reebok “Glitter Vector” logo at the top of the left leg shows your good taste in action wear! It comes in Black and Brown from size XS to XL.
Ridge Stripe Polo $40.00 with the same, luxe, super-soft 100% certified organic cotton as the ladies top, and the same UPF 30+ protection. But his has a two button packet and looks like a designer polo (no would could ever tell it does a body good, too). It comes in subtle stripes in: New Slate, Dark Cinder and Birch (essentially grey, maroon and blue) with solid color collar, beautifully reinforced inside with soft cotton to keep the collar looking new and making it soft against his neck. The sleeves are slightly slit at the bottom so he can roll them up a tad, or just allow for a bit more movement during strenuous activities. 
The Rough Creek Polo UPF30+ $40.00 is similar but it has non-slit sleeves and comes in: Khaki, New Slate, Treeline, Dark Copper, Solar Flare, and Barn.
For anyone who refuses to wear SPF protection, these shirts (and shorts, skorts and jackets) are a must-have! For those who want extra protection, this is a way to get it without having to lug around creams and lotions. You’ll look amazing, and be doing a good thing to save your skin, too.
Get these at the 315 Dicks Sporting Goods Stores in 34 states, or at http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/