Stay Protected and Stylish: Why Sun Protective Clothing is a Must-Have

Hello lovely friends, If you’re anything like me, you care about protecting your skin in the summer, but you still want to look fabulous. And that’s where stylish sun protective clothing comes in.

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What is Sun Protective Clothing?

Sun protective clothing is generally better at cutting out the harmful sun rays than say an outfit made from cotton or linen.

Sun protective garments are generally made of a UPF50 fabric which is a specialised material that’s designed to block 98% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, keeping your skin safe from sunburn and reducing the risk of skin damage or cancer.

It’s generally a lightweight, breathable material that allows for better airflow, helping you stay cool even in the heat.

The “UPF” stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, and a rating of 50 means the fabric blocks 98% of UV radiation. Whereas, an SPF rating for sunscreen relates to the amount of time it would take for skin to be exposed to the sun before it begins to burn.

Why You need UPF50+ Clothes in Your Summer Wardrobe.

To Protect Your Skin

UPF50+ fabrics should block out about 98% of the sun’s harmful rays.

Reduces Sunburn Risk

No more worrying about accidental sunburn while enjoying the outdoors.

Keeps You Cooler

These type of garments are designed to reflect the sun, which helps keep you cool and comfortable all day long.

No Need for Reapplication

Unlike sunscreen, you don’t have to re-apply every couple of hours. And if you have sensitive skin and don’t like sunscreens then a garment like this is a winner.

What I’m Wearing This Summer

Currently, I’m wearing, on high rotation, a (gifted) Cindy UPF 1/4 Zip Top in navy swirl from Fella Hamilton which features UPF50 protection. On my head is a Fella Hamilton wide brimmed, washable, squish-able, Breton sun hat which comes in 19 different colours.

Woman wearing sun protective clothing. She is hiking in a forest.

I recently wore the Cindy top on a walk to view one of the Giants in Mandurah.

Along the tree-lined walk by Lake Clifton we encountered mosquitos, flies, masses of spiders (in vast webs hanging from the trees!) and the UV was at its height for the day. We also walked to Lake Clifton to view the amazing thrombolites. But my Cindy top stayed cool, calm and comfortable!

Woman over 50 wearing a sun protective top and hat. She is standing on a jetty overlooking a lake.

Anyway, I’d popped on the shirt to protect me from the sun, and protect me it did! From all sorts of other things too! It has a cool texture, and feels lovely on.

I also wore the longer length, super comfy Chaucer 7/8 length pants * with a button detail at the calf – perfect for walking in.

On my head the Classic Breton hat (pink and yellow) * + Teddy Crossbody bag *.

Blond woman wearing a pink sun hat, a UPF50 blouse in multicolour and long navy blue pants. She's standing in sunshine, on a boardwalk over a body of water.

We all know the joy of those long, sunny days, but for me there’s always a worry about getting out to enjoy the sunshine, because I want to be sun safe.

I think this is the perfect piece for anyone who spends time in the sun. It has long sleeves, a geometric leaf print (which makes it easy to match with different bottoms), and a high neck collar with a 1/4 zip opening.