We all have sunscreen on hand, but did you know that your clothes can help keep you protected, too? The best UPF clothing protects you from the sun’s harsh rays while keeping you cool and comfortable.
Densely woven fabrics or those treated with U.V. absorbers prevent the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating your skin. Dark colors also do a better job of absorbing radiation than light ones.
Look for Fabrics That Breathe
Breathable fabrics reduce sweat and help you stay relaxed and comfortable. They also prevent U.V. rays from penetrating the fabric and damaging your skin.
The best breathable fabric is cotton, which allows air to pass through and absorbs moisture. It’s also lightweight and stylish. Other breathable fabrics include wool and silk. Women’s sun-protective clothing, like Free Fly Apparel, has breathable materials that offer desirable features such as insulation or water- and wind-proofing.
Nylon and polyester are less breathable but can offer desirable properties such as durability or moisture-wicking technology. You can test a fabric’s breathability by holding it up to light. Tighter weaves restrict air flow, while looser ones allow more light. Also, consider how your clothing is made, as the type of dyes and laundry additives used can affect breathability.
Look for UPF Ratings
Many of us love to bask in the sunshine, but overexposure to U.V. rays is a serious concern that can cause sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. Luckily, clothing lab-tested for UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) ratings helps shield your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.
Look for fabrics with a UPF rating of 30 or higher, with UPF 50+ offering the most protection. These fabrics should be tightly woven to prevent U.V. rays from passing through, and you may also want to consider purchasing a long-sleeved shirt or pants with a UPF rating.
Unlike sunscreen, which often needs to be reapplied, UPF clothing protects your skin all day. Additionally, UPF garments should maintain their UPF rating wash after wash unless they have a finish that can diminish over time.
Look for Loose Fitting Gear
While tight-fitting clothing may save room in your beach bag, it can damage your U.V. protection. This is because as fabrics stretch, they pull apart the fibers, allowing more light (and radiation) to reach your skin.
Densely woven fabrics like cotton and synthetics provide better protection than sheer or thin materials. Also, darker colors block U.V. rays from reaching your skin, while shiny polyesters reflect them.
And while price isn’t necessarily indicative of performance, high-scoring garments tend to be more expensive. But don’t let cost deter you from finding a UPF sun shirt or hat that works for you. Many brands offer a variety of women’s styles with built-in sun protection that is both comfortable and stylish.
Look for Colors That Match Your Skin Tone
The fabric’s color can significantly affect how much U.V. protection it offers. Darker colors provide more coverage than lighter shades, so they’re better for covering up body parts that are most exposed to sunlight (like the torso and legs).
Determining your skin tone can help you decide which hues will highlight your complexion and make your eyes and smile look brighter. It’s important to remember that your skin shade doesn’t necessarily determine your undertone — someone with pale skin can have a cool complexion, and someone with dark skin can have a warm one.
