What Clothing Is Best for Sun Protection? (2024)

FAQs

What Clothing Is Best for Sun Protection? ›

Lightweight and long-sleeved shirts and pants.

When selecting clothing, avoid fabrics with a loose or open weave, such as lace. In addition, dark colors offer more protection than light colors. For example, a long-sleeved denim shirt provides an SPF of about 1,700, while a white t-shirt provides an SPF of about 7.

Lightweight and long-sleeved shirts and pants.

When selecting clothing, avoid fabrics with a loose or open weave, such as lace. In addition, dark colors offer more protection than light colors. For example, a long-sleeved denim shirt provides an SPF of about 1,700, while a white t-shirt provides an SPF of about 7.

Sun protective clothing is manufactured from UV-protective fabric. The commonly accepted measure is UV protection factor (UPF). UPF, similar to SPF (sun protection factor) used to rate sunscreens, is the rating used to measure the UV rays that pass through fabrics when exposed to UV radiation.

Dark or bright colors, including red, black and navy blue, absorb more UV rays than lighter colors like whites and pastels. For example, an everyday white cotton T-shirt has a UPF of only about 5. As a rule of thumb, the more intense the hue, the better protection the clothing will provide.

“Dermatologists have always known that clothing is really better than sunscreen for protecting the skin and for staying on,” Dr. Leachman said.

Dark or bright colors

Darker colors, such as blue or black, absorb more UV rays than lighter shades like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. But bright colors, like red, can also absorb UV rays.

Polyester and wool fabrics usually provide sufficient UV protection (UPF 30+), while other fabrics, such as cotton, linen, and viscose, frequently offer poor UV protection.

Cotton is quite effective at absorbing UV if it's unbleached, but the manufacturing process often degrades the natural lignin which would otherwise provide protection. Bleached cotton, the type that's most commonly used in most applications doesn't offer sufficient sun protection, with a UPF rating of under 15.

A sun-resistant fabric is one that has been treated to withstand UV rays, which account for approximately 10% of the sun's light. UV stands for “ultraviolet,” which is a form of light wave or radiation. UV rays have a shorter wavelength than visible light and a longer wavelength than X-rays.

When you are out in the sun, wear clothing to cover your skin. Clothes provide different levels of UV protection. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors.

What clothes block UV rays? ›

Nylon and polyester are the next best options, and thicker fabrics such as tweed and denim are also suitable. Linen and bleached cotton will offer less UV protection, but any shirt is always better than no shirt!

White, silver, and other light colors are coolest, reflecting about 60 percent of sunlight but there are dark "cool" colors that can also stay cooler than traditional dark colors.

Black is the color of protection, banishing, grounding, and safety. Feel like your sense of safety has been shaken in the craziness of the world recently? Wear and work with black to reestablish boundaries, protect your energy, banish negative energy, and ground down into more security and safety.

Clothes do not protect us from blood pressure. We need medicines or low sodium diet to protect us from blood pressure. Clothes protect us from heat, cold, dust and germs. Was this answer helpful?

UV light can go through clothes and cause damage to your skin, including sunburn.

After white, the colours that keep the body cool are none other than yellow, gray, and – surprise – red, still considered in the collective imagination as a 'warm' colour. Purple is in the middle of the ranking, so it can be worn during hot weather if it is your favourite colour.

Stick to darker colors, notice how they play down a burn while lighter ones highlight it. Also avoid anything too tight, scratchy, or form-fitting, it'll make uncomfortable skin feel worse. Looser fitting clothes will make you feel better and help that burn to breathe.