Anti-UV Fabric: The Benefits for Summer Clothing and Accessories

When the sun's rays come to warm us in summer, we are happy to take out our most beautiful clothes and seasonal accessories. It must be said that they are very pleasant to wear, but be careful, they can be dangerous for our skin if we do not take the necessary measures before exposing ourselves to the sun. Indeed, ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause irreparable damage to our skin. However, there is a simple and effective solution to protect yourself: anti-UV fabric! In this article, you will discover the benefits of these, which will allow you to protect yourself from a future sunburn 😉

UPF 50: optimal sun protection

Ultraviolet (UV) rays emitted by the sun can cause serious damage to the skin, such as burns , spots , wrinkles and even skin cancer . In order to avoid any unnecessary hassles, it is crucial to protect yourself against them when exposed to the sun, especially during the warmer months of the year.

Fortunately, UV-protective fabric comes into play. Its main advantage is that it effectively protects the skin from ultraviolet rays. Thanks to its special fibers, it blocks UV rays and reduces the amount of solar radiation that reaches the skin. In fact, UV-protective fabrics have a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating that measures their ability to block harmful rays for our skin. A fabric that has a UPF 50 rating, for example, blocks 98% of UV rays and offers optimal sun protection. They are also designed to be breathable and comfortable, so you can stay comfortable while being protected.

We therefore strongly recommend that you choose fabrics of this type for your next sewing creations. In addition to anti-UV clothing , you can make accessories such as wide-brimmed hats or swimsuits with high UV protection that will further protect your skin.

Be careful, it is important to remember that even when wearing this type of clothing, it is always recommended to apply sunscreen to the parts of the skin that are not covered. Although it is an excellent alternative for people who have sensitive skin, the combination of sunscreen and anti-UV clothing will offer maximum protection against these rays that do not want you well.

Anti-UV fabrics: dark colors vs. light colors

When it comes to choosing UV-protective fabrics, a common question that comes up is whether dark or light colors offer better UV protection. Which do you think is better? In reality, fabric color has little impact on a garment’s ability to protect against UV rays .

Indeed, the main factor that influences protection against harmful rays is, as mentioned just above, the UPF rating of the fabric. Fabrics with a UPF rating of 50 offer optimal sun protection, regardless of their color.

However, it would be a bit too simple to stop there! There is something else that can reflect solar radiation by forming an effective screen: shiny fabrics . Thus, a light-colored garment with a shiny finish can offer additional protection against UV rays. This is particularly the case with our champagne duchess satin (it also comes in red !).

Other options for increased protection include blending fabrics with reflective materials . This is often used in sportswear to provide extra protection from the sun’s rays. For example, this is very important for elite cyclists, as it will provide them with extra protection from the sun’s rays during long days spent riding in the sun. Shiny finishes reflect UV rays, while synthetic UV-blocking fabrics protect the cyclists’ skin, a real winning combination!

The choice of fabric color is therefore a matter of personal preference. The main key to effective protection against UV rays is to choose clothes with a high UPF rating, whether dark or light.

UV-protective fabrics offer a wide variety of clothing and accessories

UV protection clothing has been booming in recent years, offering a wide variety of products for everyone. From swimsuits to hats, sunglasses, parasols, pareos, shirts and trousers,... In short, the list is almost endless!

So, you can find what you are looking for among a multitude of products in anti-UV fabrics , whether for a day at the beach or a simple outing in town. They offer you optimal sun protection, while meeting everyone's tastes and needs. You will definitely find what you are looking for!

How to make effective anti-UV clothing?

Making clothes that will protect you effectively is essential to maintaining your skin health. The choice of fabric and weave style can play a crucial role in this protection.

For example, we have tightly woven fabrics like twill , which are ideal for providing optimum protection against UV rays.

Lightweight, translucent and knitted fabrics will offer much less effective protection, due to their weave structure. These fabrics often have larger spaces between the threads, which gives UV rays the ability to penetrate more easily and reach our precious skin. In addition, the fibers used in these fabrics tend to be softer and less tightly woven . This makes the structure of the fabric more permeable to UV rays.

As you can see, it is recommended to choose tighter and denser fabrics to better protect yourself against harmful UV rays. As an additional note, elastic fibers can also be very useful because the elasticity allows the threads to be tightened, thus reducing the spaces in the weave.

Last point of attention: the choice of materials. Synthetic fabrics like polyester, lycra, and nylon offer better protection, in particular thanks to tighter fibers. In addition to that, these fabrics often have a special finish that adds an extra layer of protection. If we had to recommend just one, it would certainly be this superb sixties print . To learn more about the advantages of synthetic fabrics, do not hesitate to read our article on the subject . Small problem all the same, these fabrics can be less breathable and less comfortable. Some designers have therefore started to develop cotton blends for anti-UV fabrics in order to make them lighter and more pleasant to wear... To be continued!

In short

• The color of the fabric has little impact on UV protection, it is the UPF index that is decisive.
• Shiny fabrics help reflect solar radiation and provide additional UV protection.
• The choice of fabric and weave style is crucial to provide optimal protection against the sun's rays.
• Tightly woven fabrics like twill are most recommended for their ability to block them.
• Lightweight, translucent and knitted fabrics offer less effective protection .
• Synthetic fabrics like polyester offer better protection.
• Elastic fibers can help tighten the threads of the fabric, reducing gaps in the weave and increasing protection from UV rays.

Next time you're planning a day at the beach, a hike in the mountains, or a simple stroll under a blazing sun, don't forget to take precautions to protect your skin and your health by opting for anti-UV clothing! See you soon for a new article.