When the weather warms up, most of us instinctively reach for breathable, lightweight cotton to stay cool. But here’s a surprising truth: while cotton may feel like the right choice for sunny days, it actually offers very little protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
Not All Fabrics Protect You Equally
Sun protection is measured by something called UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) — the fabric version of SPF for sunscreen. A typical lightweight cotton T-shirt has a UPF rating of about 5, meaning it only blocks 20% of UV rays. The remaining 80% still reaches your skin.
To be considered sun-protective, a fabric needs a UPF of 30 or higher — and the gold standard is UPF 50+, which blocks 98% of harmful rays.
Why Cotton Falls Short
There are a few reasons everyday cotton underperforms:
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Loose Weave = Low Protection
Many cotton garments are loosely woven, and thin, given the nature of the styles (who wants to wear a heavy, thick t-shirt?) allowing UV rays to easily pass through the gaps in the fibers. -
Light Colors Offer Less Defense
Pale shades like white and pastels absorb less UV radiation than darker colors — making them more likely to let rays through. -
Wet Cotton Makes It Worse
Cotton loses even more protection when wet. -
Worn Fabric Loses Effectiveness
As cotton ages and wears thin, its already-low UV protection gets even lower.
What Makes UPF Clothing Different?
Our clothing is designed with built-in sun protection, using tightly woven, high-quality fabrics that are tested and certified to offer UPF. Unlike cotton basics, our pieces are:
- Chic enough to wear every day
- Effective wet or dry
- Designed with your lifestyle — and your skin health — in mind
Everyday Moments Matter
Most people assume sun protection is only for the beach — but 80% of lifetime sun exposure happens during everyday activities: walking the dog, grabbing coffee, school pickup.
That’s why we believe protection should be built into your wardrobe, not just reserved for vacation.
Ready to upgrade from cotton?
Explore our collection of elevated, skin-smart styles that look great — and protect even better.
