fashion

What’s ‘UPF’ Clothing, Why Do I Need It and Where Can I Get It?

ByAbby Hepworth

Published Jul 11, 2018

At this point, we all know the importance of applyingsunscreen该死的每一天(即使在冬天,人们!)。但是’s this UPF you speak of? We’ve seen it marked on some of our favorite athletic-wear, but what does it actually mean? Here, we’ll break it down for you (and suggest some of our favorite UPF brands to boot).

OK, so what is UPF?
UPF refers to clothes that protect you from UV radiation. While SPF (Sun Protection Factor) rates the effectiveness of sunscreens, UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is a rating scalespecifically for fabrics, measuring the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate an item of clothing and reach your skin.

What kind of UPF rating should we be looking for?
A UPF rating of 30+ is great, but 50+ is even better.

Can we use UPF clothing in place of sunscreen?
No. While sun-protective clothing can help, it doesn’t replace regular sunscreen use. Clothing with a rating of 50+ allows only one fiftieth of the sun’s UV rays to reach your skin, but that still means that your skin isn’t 100 percent protected, so doubling up with sunscreen is a good plan.

Got it, but are the only UPF options out there rashguards and swimshirts for surfers?
Absolutely not! Here are 12 brands that can help you stay sun smart and stylish all at once, even if you’re nowhere near the beach.

Athleta

We all know and loveAthletafor its sportswear, but did you know it has a pretty awesome selection of everyday clothes, too? Think chic and easy dresses, cute printed shorts and wrinkle-resistant shirts all begging to be packed for your next getaway.

Athleta dress($50)

小屋生活

小屋生活’sluxury fabrics are built to withstand sun, sand, chlorine and anything else you might throw at them.

小屋生活top($70)

lilly Pulitzer

We’ll take a bright and cheerylilly Pulitzerprint any day of the week, but we’re especially excited to see the brand’s UPF options growing with each passing summer. Now we just have to decide which print to go with…

lilly Pulitzer dress($138)

luminora

If you want a perfect mix of smart sun protection and glamour, then look no further. The fabric used inLuminora的designs is infused with an all-natural plant-based oil with sun-protective abilities.

luminora jumpsuit($380)

Noli Yoga

Perfect for working out in the sun,Noli Yogaensures a UPF rating of 50+ in all its clothes (not to mention some of the most comfortable leggings this editor has ever worn).

Noli Yoga leggings($88)

Carve Designs

This brand was founded 15 years ago by two best friends and quickly gained a cult following. And the selection of Carve Designs pieces with sun protection is expanding.

Carve Designs dress($86)

Coolibar

We know the point of UPF clothing is to wear them outside in the sun, but honestly we would wear thisCoolibartop pretty much anywhere. The brand sells a range of both athletic and ready-to-wear options, all with UPF 50+ built right in.

Coolibar最高($60)

汤米巴哈马

You might know the brand from your dad’s extensive collection of Hawaiian shirts, but汤米巴哈马had a lot more to offer than just vacation button-ups—like activewear, swimsuits and cover-ups for poolside lounging.

汤米巴哈马dress($128)

Columbia

Columbia’spatented Omni-Shade technology blocks both UVA (which dehydrates and dulls your skin) and UVB (which causes skin to burn), reflects the sun to help you feel cool and comes recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Talk about a triple threat.

Columbia pants($50)

lands’ End

It might be your first stop for back-to-school shopping, butlands’ Endalso has a great selection of sun-protective styles you and the fam can wear all year round.

lands’ End pullover($65)

Seea

Nope, not all swimwear comes with UPF protection, but luckily the adorable and print-loving brandSeeadoes. All of the brand’s products offer between UPF 30+ and 50+.

Seea one-piece swimsuit($145)

Solumbra

Solumbraoffers some of the highest sun-protection out there without sacrificing style. Seriously, every single piece has a UPF rating of 100+. That’s promising a lot of worry-free time in the sun, friends.

Solumbra jacket($190)