What to know about sun protection clothing

When the sun’s out, it’s easy to forget just how strong it can be. But protecting your skin isn’t just about sunscreen—it’s also about wearing the right clothing. If you’re spending time outdoors (even just a little), it helps to know who needs sun protection most, how clothing is rated and the different factors that contribute to how protective a piece of apparel is.

Who needs sun protection the most?

Honestly—everyone. But some folks are more vulnerable than others.

If you burn or freckle easily, your risk is naturally higher. On the flip side, people with darker skin typically have more melanin, which offers UV protection, but it also makes UV damage harder to spot, making it much more difficult to take care of.

Young kids and older adults? They’re more sensitive too. Children’s skin is thinner, and the effects of sun exposure build up over time. Certain medications, high elevations, being near water or snow, or living closer to the equator can all add to your risk as well.

Bottom line: Knowing where you fall on the risk spectrum helps you decide how much protection you really need.

What is UPF, and why should you care?

You’ve probably heard of SPF (that’s for sunscreen). But for clothing, look for UPF—Ultraviolet Protection Factor.
It tells you how much UV radiation can get through the fabric and reach your skin.

It’s important to understand that a UPF rating of 15 allows 1/15th of available UV radiation to pass through while a UPF 50 rating only lets 1/50th of available UV radiation to pass through. To earn The Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation, a fabric has to have a UPF of 50, even though UPF 30 to 49 still offers good protection. Fabrics rated below UPF 15 aren’t considered UV-protective. Oftentimes, you can find the UPF rating on the apparel item itself.

What makes clothing more (or less) protective?

A few things come into play:

Color – Darker, richer colors absorb more UV rays than lighter shades.

Fabric type – Some fibers naturally block more UV light. For example, polyester’s UPF rating is much higher than cotton’s UPF rating.

Weave and thickness – Tightly woven, thicker fabrics give UV rays less room to get through.

Fit – Loose-fitting clothing helps because stretched-out fabric can let in more light.

Also, if the clothes aren’t covering your skin, it’s not doing its job—so coverage matters too.

Do UPF clothes stay protective forever?

Not exactly. Like most things, sun-protective clothing can wear down over time. If the fabric fades, stretches out or gets too worn, it won’t block UV rays as well as it used to.

Washing UPF clothing also plays a role. If it relies on special treatments for its UPF rating, frequent washing can reduce effectiveness—unless you’re using detergents with brighteners, which can actually boost protection in some cases. Just follow the care label, and you’re good.

Need something for long days in the sun?

Whether you’re looking for summer workwear, heading to a summer event or just need outdoor summer clothing for time with your family, choosing UPF-rated clothing is a smart move. It’s a simple way to protect your skin without having to think about it all day. You can check out our collection of UPF-rated hi-vis, casual, professional and workwear today.