For years, the phrase "sun protective clothing" conjured a very specific image. Boxy rash guards in clinical colors, oversized fishing shirts with ventilation flaps, and shapeless coverups that made you feel like you were dressing for a medical appointment rather than a beach day. If you've been told by your dermatologist to cover up and your first thought was "I'm not wearing that," you're not alone. The good news is that stylish sun protective clothing has evolved dramatically. The gap between what protects you and what you actually want to wear has officially closed.
The Problem Was Never the Protection
UPF50+ fabric has always been effective. The technology that blocks 98% of harmful UV rays has been available for years. The problem was that the brands making it treated function and fashion as separate categories. You could have one or the other but not both, and for women who cared about how they looked, that was enough to keep them reaching for a bikini and a bottle of sunscreen instead. Stylish sun protective clothing didn't exist in any meaningful way because nobody was designing it with the same intention they'd bring to a fashion collection.
What Changed in Stylish Sun Protective Clothing
We built our entire collection around a different premise: start with fashion and build protection into it rather than the other way around. That means every piece is designed to stand on its own as something you'd choose to wear even if UPF50+ protection wasn't part of the equation. The protection is built into the fabric, not bolted on as an afterthought, and the design reflects the same level of intention you'd expect from any fashion-forward brand. Fashionista recently named us as one of the brands creating an entirely new fashion category out of sun protective clothing, and that recognition exists because the approach works.
Start With Color: The Sasha Tee, Daisy Tee, and Poppy
The fastest way to make stylish sun protective clothing feel like part of your real wardrobe is to move past the idea that it only comes in black, white, and navy. Our fall collection introduces bold new colors and silhouettes designed to be worn as statement pieces rather than hidden under a coverup. The Poppy Long Sleeve Rashguard in Orangina brings a warm, vibrant tone you wouldn't expect from sun protective clothing, and the side ruching detail gives it a flattering shape that reads as fashion rather than function. The Daisy Half Zip Rashguard in Bright Pink and Limeaid pushes the color story even further, proving that UPF50+ protection can be just as bold as anything else in your closet. The Amber Long Sleeve Mockneck Rashguard in Leopard adds a high neckline for extra coverage while keeping the silhouette sleek and editorial.
Think in Outfits, Not Pieces
The biggest mistake people make when buying stylish sun protective clothing is treating each piece as a standalone item rather than part of a system. A single bodysuit is swimwear. A bodysuit paired with wide leg trousers and a belt is a fall outfit. A long sleeve swim tee tucked into denim with boots is something you'd wear to brunch without anyone knowing it started the morning in the pool.
Our collection is designed around this principle. The Gia Long Sleeve Tee in Navy and White Colorblock works in the water as a swim top and out of the water as a polished layering piece under a jacket or blazer. The Mia Half Zip Pullover hits at the low hip and zips to the collar, which means it reads as a sport-chic pullover on land and delivers full arm and torso coverage in the water. The Cabana Beach Bag carries your essentials in a way that matches the aesthetic of the rest of your look rather than breaking it with a generic tote.
Accessories Are the Bridge
The right accessories are what take stylish sun protective clothing from "she's wearing a swim top" to "I love her look." Our Sienna and Calista Hat are the most effective pieces for making this shift. Its wide brim delivers serious UPF50+ coverage for your face, neck, and ears and looks like something you picked up at a resort boutique rather than an outdoor gear shop. Pair it with sunglasses and simple gold jewelry and suddenly the whole outfit reads as intentional lifestyle rather than sun safety.
Prints Do the Heavy Lifting
When your sun protective clothing comes in a bold, fashion-forward print, nobody sees protection. They see style. Our print library is one of the deepest in the UPF space, spanning everything from classic Leopard and Natural Zebra to newer additions like Wavy Stripe, Blue Water Stripe, and Surf's Up. A Sasha Tee in Leopard tucked into white jeans looks like a fashion choice because it is one. A Ryann Bodysuit in Wavy Stripe under a linen blazer at a waterfront restaurant reads as resort chic because it was designed that way.
Why Stylish Sun Protective Clothing Matters Beyond Fashion
Looking good in stylish sun protective clothing isn't vanity. It's a strategy. The most effective sun protection is the kind you actually wear consistently, and you'll wear it consistently when it makes you feel like yourself rather than like you're following a doctor's orders. Melanoma is one of the most preventable forms of skin cancer, and cumulative UV exposure over years of ordinary days is what drives the risk upward. Every purchase supports the Melanoma Research Alliance because protecting your skin is the mission we were built on. When stylish sun protective clothing becomes part of your everyday wardrobe rather than something you pull out for beach days only, the protection compounds quietly in your favor for years to come. Shop our new fall collection here.