Summer is here bringing camping adventures, beach trips and… more exposure to the sun. The obvious solution to protect ourselves is wearing (and reapplying) suncream, however, there are other ways to make sure you reduce the sun damage for you and your family. One of them is wearing UV protection clothes, such as t-shirts, shorts, and dresses. If you don’t know what they are or where to buy them, check out our expert guide below.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun and other sources, such as tanning rooms, that damages the skin and can cause skin cancer and premature ageing.
Certain groups are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV radiation, including children, those with a history of skin cancer, people with medical conditions, and those taking photosensitising medications. If that’s the case, you should take extra precautions such as using broad-spectrum suncream with an SPF of 30 or higher, wearing UPF-rated clothing and wide-brimmed hats, using UV-blocking sunglasses, seeking shade during peak sun hours, and avoiding tanning beds.
Shirts, shorts, dresses, and other clothes featuring UV protection prevent more of the sun’s rays from getting in. If a shirt has UPF 50, it means that it allows 1/50th of the sun’s UV rays to get through.
UPF ratings are used to indicate how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and it is a standard used to measure the effectiveness of sun-protective clothing.
| UPF Rating | Protection Category | % UV Radiation Blocked |
| 15-20 | Good | 93.3% to 95.0% |
| 25-35 | Very good | 96.0% to 97.1% |
| 40-50+ | Excellent | 97.5% to 99.0% |
Most of the clothes we wear have a loose weave, allowing light to reach our skin. However, products featuring UPF or UV protection have a tighter weave, resulting in a fabric designed to form a barrier to deflect the sun’s rays. There are also different UV treatments to coat clothing to ensure its protection.
Clothing coverage is one of the key factors when protecting yourself and the kids, by choosing collared or long-sleeve t-shirts and rash vests, for example. You can also consider other design features can enhance the sun protection, such as built-in hoods.
While UPF fabrics tend to retain their protective qualities longer, treated fabrics may lose some of their effectiveness with washing and wear. Proper care and maintenance can help extend the life of UPF protection in your clothing. It’s important to be mindful of signs of wear and consider replacing garments as necessary to ensure UV protection.
If the shirt is not designed for swimming, you should avoid doing so to not damage the fabric. Instead, you can invest in a UV Protection rash vest, which is practical for water sports and activities and can also include other relevant features, such as quick drying and stretch.
Additional features or accessories can enhance sun protection, such as removable sun sleeves, UV-blocking hats, sunglasses, or gloves. They shouldn’t be used as your only shield against the sun but can be a complement to other effective ways like the UV protection clothing.
