UV protective clothing is clothing that has been specifically designed for sun protection and is produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet, otherwise known as UV, protection. A correct weave structure may provide sun protective properties. In addition, some textiles and fabrics that are used for sun protection clothing may be pre-treated with UV-inhibiting ingredients during manufacture to enhance their effectiveness.
In addition to some of these specialised fabrics, sun protective clothing may also adhere to specific design requirements, including styling appropriate to full coverage of the skin most susceptible to UV damage. Long sleeves, full collars, and full-length trousers and skirts are among the most common styles for clothing as a sun protective measure.
As sun protective clothing is usually meant to be worn during warm and humid weather, some UV blocking textiles and clothing may be designed with ventilated weaves, moisture wicking andantibacterial properties to assist in cooling and breathability. These things make protective clothing most comfortable, fashionable and of the highest quality when used correctly, to protect you from the harsh elements.
UPF (the Ultraviolet Protection Factor) represents the ratio of sunburn-causing UV without and with the protection of the fabric, similar to SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ratings for sunscreen.
While standard summer fabrics have UPF ~6, sun protective clothing typically has UPF ~30, which means that only 1 out of ~30 units of UV will pass through (~3%). This is the reason such clothing exists and is sought after, as it is a strong means of blocking rays to ensure safety while enjoying the sun.
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