How Some Sun Started

 

On the deck of my childhood summer home, where I spent every day outside in the sunshine with my family biking, fishing, crabbing, and swimming. I'm wearing a linen shirt here, not realizing at the time linen provides almost zero sun protection (!)

Around 2007, in my early twenties, my Dad—who had always been careful about sun exposure—was diagnosed with skin cancer. It changed how I thought about sunscreen and UV protection. From then on, I became more intentional about limiting my exposure during long days outdoors—whether walking, hiking, or swimming—by wearing UPF clothing and applying sunscreen, even though UPF was hardly mainstream at the time!

By 2021, I developed a serious allergy to chemical sunscreens. Suddenly, I was limited to thick, white-cast mineral formulas—and relying almost entirely on UPF clothing. I found myself wearing the same basic Amazon UPF hoodie nearly every day... but it didn’t reflect my day to day personal style, and it felt like a compromise to be limited to just activewear. I searched everywhere for sun-protective clothing that met my aesthetic quality expectations—something elevated, thoughtful, and beautifully made. I came up empty!

So, I decided to make it myself. With a background in sustainable fashion—and experience leading sustainable product work at Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger—I knew how to build something better. I spent two years researching, testing, and developing: sourcing premium fabrics, lab-certifying them for sun protection, and designing pieces that felt as good as they performed. I sampled our first prototypes in the summer of 2023 (as did my friends and family!), and for the first time in my life, I made it through summer without a single sunburn. 

I started Some Sun with a simple but high bar: I would only do this if I could create something I could be proud of—something I’d wear myself every day. I’m deeply involved in every part of the experience, from the product to the packaging to the customer feedback. I read every review, and I make changes based on what I hear from you and what you need in UPF. There’s truly nothing better than someone loving what we’ve made—and I’m committed to building UPF clothing that’s not just protective, but genuinely loved.

xo Mary Ellen

The dreaded Amazon UPF jacket I wore everywhere-- here biking on Martha's Vineyard.

 

Summer 2023, testing the first Some Sun sample prototype on my honeymoon!