UV Clothing Is Suddenly Trending: Should You Invest or is Your Regular SPF Enough?

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When it comes to being protected in the sun, sunscreen is the number one go-to beach bag item. Simply apply SPF 30 or above 30 minutes before going in the sun, then top it up every two hours. It’s essential for keeping your skin safe from UV damage and to avoid accelerated skin ageing.

This all sounds straightforward on the surface, but do we apply enough sunscreen to get ample protection? And unless we’re setting a timer to remind ourselves to re-apply it every two hours, let’s face it, it can be easy to forget.

Luckily, there has been a recent surge in UV protective clothing. Because whilst wearing normal clothing as you wander the streets and beaches of your favourite holiday destination covers up your skin and protects it to a point, certain fabrics don’t hold the same guarantee as certified UV protective clothing.

Even one of our favourite dermatologists, Derm Angelo has launched his own line which, when you consider that celeb derms usually launch skincare collections to help protect our skin in the sun, is a huge shift in expert guidance.

Here, Dr Angelo tells us all about his UV clothing line, SOUL-A and dermatologists Dr Hannah Kopelman and Dr Paul Farrant discuss their thoughts on sun defence dressing.

Is it really much better than using sunscreen alone? Should we be doubling up on our protection? And is this the most efficient way to protect our skin going forward? Keep scrolling to find out more.

What is UV protective clothing?

It’s pretty much what it says on the tin. “It is specially engineered apparel designed to block ultraviolet (UV) radiation from penetrating the fabric and reaching the skin,” explains Dr Farrant.

“The clothing is labelled with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating – much like SPF in sunscreens. A UPF 50+ shirt, for example, blocks out over 98% of UV rays. You can now find UV protection in everything from long-sleeved activewear and swimwear to hats and everyday T-shirts, often made from tightly woven, treated fabrics.”

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Image – Juliememe/Stocksy

Ok but how fashionable are we talking here? Would the experts wear it? Dr Kopelman says yes.

“Especially when I’m on vacation, hiking, or spending the day outdoors,” she says. “It’s like putting on armour against skin cancer and sun damage. Plus, the new designs are actually stylish—I’ve got a favourite sun shirt I wear all summer long that I never would’ve been caught dead in five years ago.”

How much more effective is it than wearing sunscreen alone?

“To me, UV protective clothing is one of the most underrated tools we have in sun protection,” Dr Kopelman says. “I love sunscreen. But in the real world, people forget to reapply, they sweat it off, or they just don’t use enough. UV clothing eliminates all that.”

You could say it adds an extra layer of protection on top of your SPF in circumstances where re-applying is impractical (or you’re forgetful). “I wear a UPF rash guard and wide-brimmed hat when I take my kids to the beach because I don’t want to worry about burning through my SPF,” adds Dr Kopelman.

“The protection is consistent, and you don’t have to think about it every two hours. So yes, in many circumstances, it’s more effective.”

Dr Farrant agrees. “In real-world settings – especially during extended outdoor exposure, water sports, or for children and people with sun sensitivity – it can offer better overall coverage than sunscreen alone, which can be applied too thinly or forgotten altogether.”

Dr Angelo says UV protective clothing helps to give you an all-round protection plan. “With my patients, I always discuss having a sun protective strategy – a 360 approach to sun protection,” he says.

“No method of sun protection is perfect, so we want to maximise all the options. That includes using sunscreen, protective clothes, seeking shade and avoiding exposure when the UV index is high.”

Why is it going mainstream?

“I think we’ve reached a tipping point,” explains Dr Kopelman.

“More people are aware of skin cancer risks, and cosmetic concerns like sunspots and wrinkles are top of mind. Add to that the fact that brands are finally making attractive sun-protective clothes, and boom – suddenly it’s trending. I actually had a patient recently tell me she saw her favourite influencer wearing a UPF hoodie and immediately bought it. Ten years ago, that would’ve been a tough sell.”

Dr Farrant says its ease of use is appealing to more and more consumers. “There’s a growing awareness of sun-induced skin ageing, coupled with the rise of skin cancer prevention campaigns and TikTok’s role in spotlighting skincare trends,” he says. “Add to that the convenience factor – no need to reapply – and a shift toward functional fashion, and it’s easy to see why consumers are investing.”

Soul-A, by Derm Angelo

Dr Angelo has, as he words it, “put my money where my mouth is” with the launch of his UV protective clothing line, Soul-A. “It’s a concept I’ve been dreaming about for years,” he says. However, even though it’s an effective strategy for UV protection, Dr Angelo feels it’s one of the least utilised because people perceive it as something you’d only wear to the beach or for sport.

“This perception of protective clothing leads to designs that aren’t suitable for everyday life – most people are not throwing on a rash guard before they go to work,” he explains.

Image – Soul-A

“I began asking myself ‘why we don’t have better options’? We’ve seen this perception shift for sun protective methods like sunscreen – once thought of as something you’d only use at the beach or pool, more and more people are choosing to use it on a daily basis. I wanted to create an option that would allow people to mirror this. I seek to make protective clothing that people can fit into their existing wardrobes and their everyday lives.”

And so, Soul-A was born, and it’s super savvy. “I conceptualised each of our styles as everyday staples that people would actually want to wear aside from their sun protective benefits,” he says.

Image – Soul-A

“I also sought to include thoughtful details that make sun protection easier. Shirt-001 for instance may just look like a stylish button-down shirt, but it has convertible cuffs and a convertible collar that allow it to provide extra coverage when needed. I tried to think about how people would use each item throughout their day.” Clever huh?

So what else is in the collection? Dr Angelo gives a few more examples. “Pant-001 is an everyday pant with a relaxed fit and adjustable waistband, Scarf-001 is a sun protective scarf and scarf ring that can be worn in a multitude of ways.” And there we were thinking Derm Angelo couldn’t get any more iconic…

So should you invest in UV protective clothing?

Our experts are unanimous. “Without question,” says Dr Kopelman. “Absolutely,” adds Dr Farrant and “the public are ready for it,” says Dr Angelo.

“I recommend it to anyone who’s outdoors frequently, but also to patients with melasma, lupus, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—you name it,” adds Dr Kopelman. “I personally own several UPF shirts, and I never travel without a sun hat. I see it as an investment in your skin health and your future self.”

The takeaway

When you really think about it, wearing an extra layer of sun protection is a no brainer. I mean, why not go for a double whammy when it means double the safety?

The best bit about UV protective clothing is that it can’t wear off and you don’t need to think about topping it up – once it’s on, it’s on. Remember, it is designed to work alongside sunscreen so always apply it before getting dressed. But now that UV protective clothing is becoming more mainstream, you can waft around your daily life smugly safe from the sun and looking enviably on-trend while you’re at it. It’s win win!