UPF Clothes to Add to Your Closet
Avoiding the sun as much as possible is crucial when it comes to protecting your skin from premature aging, melanoma and sunburns. By now, we all know that we should be wearing sunscreen daily, reapplying every two hours and ensuring to cover all of the exposed spots on our skin. UV protection clothing or ultraviolet protection factor clothing, or UPF clothing, can help too. UPF clothing is another protective layer of defense that maybe you haven’t thought of yet.
What is UPF Clothing?
UPF clothing is a type of clothing made with fabrics that protect your skin from the sun. With this kind of clothing item, it is always indicated what fraction of ultraviolet rays can penetrate through its fabric. A garment is considered sun-protective when it has more than a UPF 30 rating.
UPF 30 to 49 offers adequate protection against sun damage, and UPF 50 and up offers the best protection when being directly exposed to the sun for several hours.
Protective clothing isn’t only for workers who spend eight hours a day under the blazing sun, but also for wearing to the beach or practicing sports outside. While traditionally, sun-safe clothing hasn’t been the most stylish, with a heightened awareness of the risks of the sun, many brands now offer fashionable items that you would have never guessed were UPF clothing.
Where to Buy Sun-Protective Clothing
Finding UPF clothing today is easier than ever, especially online. You just need to look for pieces that have a UPF factor approved by the Skin Cancer Foundation. They are woven tightly so the sun doesn’t go through the fabric. Here’s a list of our favorite brands and products that are sunproof, stylish and breathable at the same time.
1. Lululemon Waterside Relaxed UV Protection Long Sleeve
- Price: $78.
Waterside Relaxed UV Protection Long Sleeve feels like a normal long-sleeve yet provides good sun protection (UPF 40+). It’s designed for swimming, features a relaxed fit and is quick to dry.
2. Solbari Arm Sleeves UPF 50+ Sensitive Collection
- Price: $30.
For those who want to take sun protection to the next level, Solbari Arm Sleeves UPF50+ Sensitive Collection are ideal when wearing short sleeves and wanting to protect your arms and hands. They’re lightweight and perfect to carry in your bag at all times and are accredited for UPF 50+ for maximum sun protection.
3. J. Crew Active Swim Bike Short
- Price: $65 to $79.50.
Streamlined, supportive and with full coverage, J. Crew's Active Swim Bike Shorts are great for swimming. It’s made from recycled materials and features UPF 50. It comes in a wide range of sizes for the best fit.
4. Columbia Women’s Anytime Casual Skort
- Price: $65.
Columbia's Women’s Anytime Casual Skort has built-in shorts underneath that are comfortable, practical and stylish all at once. It has UPF 50 sun protection, is rain and stain repellent and is stretchy.
5. Athleta Pacifica Illume UPF Full Zip
- Price: $89.
Available in a wide range of sizes (tall, petite and regular fit) Athleta's zip-up is perfect for warm-weather travels, vacations and going to and from the beach. It’s breathable, made of recycled polyester and rated UPF 50+. It also covers your hands.
6. Outdoor Voices SolarCool 3-Inch Short
- Price: $68.
Designed for outdoor recreation, Outdoor Voices' SolarCool 3-Inch Shorts offer UPF 50 and feature a mesh party liner, a carabiner loop and pockets for maximum comfort.
7. The North Face Women’s Horizon Breeze Brimmer
- Price: $40.
This is a stylish hat that has the right features to protect you from long-term exposure to the sun. It’s made from recycled fabric, offers UPF 40+ protection and features an adjustable shock cord thin strap for the perfect fit.
8. Nike Adventure Women’s Long-Sleeve One Piece
- Price: $124.
This is a stylish option for swimming in nature. This swimsuit offers sun protection, bottom coverage and light bust support at the same time. It features mesh insets to ensure breathability and help drain the water and accelerate the drying process. It’s also made from at least 75% recycled materials.
9. Coolibar Women’s Malta Travel Shirt Dress UPF 50+
- Price: $115.
With the high protection of UPF 50+, this long shirt dress is perfect for all-day protection. It has hidden anti-pickpocket side pockets, roll-up sleeves with hidden snaps and convertible hand coverage.
10. Kühl Cabo Kapri
- Price: $85.
Lightweight and in capri length, these pants features a soft UPF 50+ fabric that is stretchy and comfortable. It also has a hidden zip pocket for easy and secure stashing and two roomy front pockets.