Sunscreen is a daily essential—but a sun-protective rashguard or shirt? Not so much. But the best UPF clothing has come a long way in recent years, offering shirts, pants, swimsuits, and even bandannas with built-in defense against UV rays. And it can offer a lot of value in its own right. “UPF clothing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your skin from UV damage,” says Carmen Castilla, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York, NY. She points to the “farmer’s tan,” in which you have a clear line on the ankles or arms, with the sun-exposed skin being darker, as an example of its impact. “That visible difference is a great demonstration of how much UV protection clothing provides,” she says.
Vogue’s Favorite UPF Clothing
As effective as it is, though, UPF clothing hasn’t exactly enjoyed longstanding popularity, in part because designing and producing it can require a lot of compromise, as Shade New York founder Jess Dunn discovered firsthand. “The biggest challenge wasn’t designing the garments—it was finding a material that met our design standards,” says Dunn, who created her brand after surviving melanoma.
The typical fabrics used to make UPF clothing are synthetic, such as polyester, nylon, or elastane. Not only that, but the designs themselves focused on niche areas like athletics, swim, and resortwear. This combination meant that UPF in everyday clothing didn’t really exist—and even if it did, the actual experience of wearing it was not so enjoyable. “A 100% polyester button-down may look appealing on the hanger, but once it hits 70 degrees, you’ll be sweating,” says Dunn. “Breathability, comfort, and fit matter just as much as protection, because then you’ll actually be inclined to wear it.” With that in mind, these are the UPF clothing brands worth shopping this summer.
Shade New York
Instead of offering clothes ideal for a beach vacation, Shade New York set out to create everyday staples. Instead of the typical synthetic fabrics, the brand’s offerings are made with CottonUPF™, which is a 100% cotton fabric with UPF 40+ protection. “It looks, drapes, and feels like the structured cotton you’d already wear, giving us the freedom to design pieces that feel timeless,” says Dunn. She started with the classic white tee and has since expanded into a long-sleeve option that feels like something that makes it into the regular rotation, UPF or not.
Shade New York
The Origin tee
Shade New York
The Frame tee
Left on Friday
Left on Friday is best known for their swimsuits, which are a favorite of Vogue’s head of editorial content Chloe Malle. (They “stay on for intense mermaid diving and also look great,” she reports.) Their tanks and long-sleeve tees are meant to slip over a bikini top or sports bra, although you can wear them as a casual weekend staple, too. They’re made with UPF 50, dry quickly, and can stand up to chlorine and salt water alike—making them ideal wherever the summer takes you.
Left on Friday
Rays sleeveless top
Coolibar
Both Mamina Turegano, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New Orleans, and Dr. Castilla recommend Coolibar, “because sun protection is their entire focus,” says the former. “Their UPF 50+ clothing is lightweight, comfortable, and backed by rigorous UV testing.” Dr. Castilla, for her part, likes that the brand offers a variety of clothes for the whole family, and the clothing tends to be suited for hot weather—making it ideal for protecting your skin in the midst of a heatwave. While you can find the typical athleisure staples suited for outdoors activities like tennis, the brand also makes designs in of-the-moment silhouettes, like these ultra-soft, wide-leg pants.
Coolibar
Match Point t-shirt
Halfdays
It’s not exactly surprising that Halfdays—a brand best known for its design-forward skiwear—is dabbling in UPF clothing; after all, clear mountain slopes are an obvious spot for UV exposure. The brand’s GwenUV line includes lightweight cargo pants as apt for running errands as for snowboarding, along with a funnel-neck jacket that’s ideal for transition seasons; it has breathable mesh panels on the underarms and along the sides.
Hunza G
Known for its collaborations with supermodels (Rosie-Huntington-Whiteley and Helena Christensen among them) as well as storied fashion houses like Burberry, Hunza G’s UPF offerings made headlines when Sofia Richie Grainge shared photos of herself last summer in the brand’s UPF-infused shirt and headscarf. The headscarf comes in a variety of shades and patterns (though it’s admittedly best for protecting hair color from fading in the sun), while the brand’s swimwear is buttery-soft and supremely comfortable.
Uniqlo
If you don’t want to splurge on UPF clothing, Uniqlo is worth a click. Not only are the designs relatively wallet-friendly, but they’re also “lightweight, comfortable, and don’t look overly ‘technical,’ so you’re more likely to wear it consistently,” says Dr. Turegano. “They’re easy to incorporate into your everyday wardrobe while still providing excellent UPF 50+ protection.” They’re ideal if you’re looking to stock up—or planning to travel without easy access to laundry.
Uniqlo
UV protection parka
Uniqlo
UV protection cardigan
Everything You Need To Know
Does UPF clothing really work?
UPF clothing really can protect you from the sun, “especially if it’s labeled UPF 50+, which blocks about 98% of UV rays,” says Dr. Turegano. And it can be even better than sunscreen in some rays: For instance, it provides consistent, reliable sun protection over every area of skin that it covers, according to Dr. Castilla. “Unlike sunscreen, you don’t have to worry about missing spots during application, having it rub off throughout the day, or remembering to reapply every two hours,” she says. UPF clothing works on its own terms.
In fact, you don’t have to wear sunscreen at all when you’re wearing a UPF-rated top, dress, or swimsuit “unless the fabric is stretched, worn thin, or you’ll be spending hours in intense sun or water,” says Dr. Turegano. That said, you still need to apply sunscreen anywhere that will be exposed, like your hands, ankles, or neck.
How to Shop for UPF clothing
Unless you’re planning to overhaul your entire wardrobe, it’s best to be strategic about what UPF-rated clothing you invest in. “If I had to pick just one, it would be a UPF 50+ long-sleeve shirt,” says Dr. Turegano. “It covers a large percentage of the body, is easy to wear for long periods, and protects some of the areas that receive the most cumulative sun exposure.” The chest, shoulders, arms, and back are prime areas for skin cancer, so these would hypothetically be covered. Otherwise, it’s hard to beat a sun hat, ideally with a wide brim, “since the face, ears, and neck are common sites for skin cancer and chronic sun damage,” says Dr. Turegano.
