Sun-Protective Clothing Is Actually Chic Now

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Huge news for people with both skin and taste: UPF, or UV-protective, clothing is actually chic now. No, really. Did everyone else already know about this? (Anne Hathaway did!)

For years, fabrics with sun-blocking capabilities were used only in the most utilitarian of styles: gloves for drivers and gardeners, oversized hats for boomers on walking tours, rash guards for serious surfers and dermatologists on the beach. But the thing is, those aren’t the only people who spend time outdoors. There’s a whole demographic who cares about avoiding skin cancer, preventing age spots, protecting their collagen and fashion. (It’s me, I’m that person!) And as the ozone layer keeps depleting and the earth keeps warming, the reality is that we’re all gonna need more sun protection.

The industry is finally catching up with that fact. More brands operating in the resortwear, swimwear and athleticwear categories — alongside specific UV-protection-focused labels — are embracing tight-weave UPF fabrics that shield skin, no sunscreen required (except on the parts of you that aren’t swathed in UPF fabric, of course).

Photo&colon; Courtesy of Daise

First, a quick primer on what makes UPF clothing different: “All clothing offers some degree of sun protection. When the sun’s rays hit fabric, some of the energy is changed to heat and is no longer dangerous to the skin. The UPF rating, similar to SPF for sunscreen, tells us the amount of UV rays that a garment can block,” explains NYC-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Hadley King. “The higher a fabric’s UPF rating, which runs between 15-50, the more protection it offers. The rating equates to the [fraction] of UV rays that pass through the fabric, so UPF 50 means that about 1/50th, or 2% of rays, can get through. Another way to think about this is a UPF 50 shirt blocks 98% of UV rays.”

For reference, a typical cotton T-shirt is rated between UPF 5-8, meaning it allows up to 20% of UV radiation to reach the skin. But according to the UPF standard, no rating below 15 can be called “sun protective.” To know if a garment offers UPF-rated protection, simply check the label — it should be clearly marked, per Dr. King.

While some UPF fabrics do lose efficacy over time with multiple washes, this isn’t as much of an issue as people think, advises Dr. King: “Many high-quality garments achieve UPF through tight weave, dense knit, darker colors and synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon. These generally maintain their protection for years.” Garments that have been chemically treated for UV protection do gradually diminish from the original UPF rating, but “the fabric still may provide substantial protection,” she says.

UPF clothing can be very effective sun protection since, unlike sunscreen, it doesn’t require thorough reapplication. Dr. King recommends it to her patients and wears it regularly herself. “For large body areas — especially during prolonged outdoor activities — UPF clothing is often the more reliable form of protection.” Dr. King highly recommends UPF swimwear and athleticwear in particular, since sweat and water can easily rinse away sunscreen. Plus, “water, reflection and prolonged exposure increase UV risk,” she adds.

Photo&colon; Courtesy of Claudent

Sun-focused brands like Claudent (which counts Kendall Jenner as a fan), Tied Sunwear, Sevy, Watskin and Daise make entire resortwear and accessories lines with UPF fabrics, creating a whole new fashion category. Meanwhile, Uniqlo, Outdoor Voices, Hunza G, Left on Friday and Splendid are now incorporating sun-protective outerwear, swimwear and even chic matching skirt sets into their offerings.

Ahead, we’ve rounded up 19 (actually!) chic UPF-50+ rated pieces that are sure to hold their own in the most fashionable of closets. Keep scrolling to see and shop them all.