Can You Get Sunburn Through Clothes? What You Need to Know About UV Protection
Can you get sunburn through clothes? It might seem like the answer should be no. After all, if your skin is covered, shouldn't it be protected from the sun?
Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple.
Yes, you can get sunburn through clothing. While clothing creates a physical barrier between your skin and the sun, not all fabrics provide the same level of protection from ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Depending on the fabric, weave, color, thickness, fit, and whether the material is wet or stretched, UV rays can pass through clothing and reach your skin.
That's why UPF 50+ clothing can be an important part of a complete sun protection routine.
Can UV Rays Go Through Clothes?
Yes. UV rays can pass through some clothing.
Regular clothing can provide some degree of sun protection, but the amount can vary considerably. A thick, tightly woven garment may block more UV radiation than a lightweight, loosely woven shirt. A thin white T-shirt, for example, may provide considerably less UV protection than a garment specifically designed and tested for sun protection.
Several factors can affect how much UV radiation passes through fabric:
- Fabric weave: Tightly woven fabrics generally allow less UV radiation through.
- Fabric thickness: Thicker materials typically provide more coverage than very thin fabrics.
- Color: Darker or more saturated colors can absorb more UV radiation than lighter colors.
- Fit: Stretching fabric can increase the amount of UV radiation that reaches the skin.
- Moisture: Some fabrics can provide less UV protection when wet.
- Wear: Older, worn or thinner fabric may not provide the same level of protection as when it was new.
The challenge with ordinary clothing is that you may not know exactly how much UV protection you're getting unless the garment has been tested and assigned a UPF rating.
What Is UPF?
UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It is the rating used to measure how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin.
UPF is similar to SPF, but they're not the same thing. SPF measures protection provided by sunscreen, while UPF measures the UV protection provided by fabric.
A UPF 50 fabric allows approximately 1/50th of UV radiation to pass through it, meaning it blocks approximately 98% of UV radiation.
When you see UPF 50+, you're looking at clothing that has been tested to provide very high UV protection.
This is one reason UPF-rated clothing can be a smart choice when you're going to spend hours outside.
Can You Get Sunburn Through a T-Shirt?
Yes, you can potentially get sunburn through a regular T-shirt.
A T-shirt does provide a physical layer between your skin and the sun, but its level of UV protection depends on the fabric.
A lightweight, loosely woven cotton shirt may allow more UV radiation through than a tightly woven, heavier fabric. And because ordinary clothing isn't necessarily tested for UV protection, you can't easily tell how protective it is simply by looking at it.
In fact, BloqUV notes that an average white cotton top may have a UPF rating of only about 5, while its BloqTek™ fabric is designed and tested to provide UPF 50+.
The takeaway? Covered doesn't always mean fully protected.
Does Dark Clothing Protect You Better From the Sun?
Color can make a difference, but color alone isn't a reliable way to determine how much UV protection clothing provides.
Darker fabrics can absorb more UV radiation than lighter fabrics, but the weave, material, weight and construction of the garment also matter.
That's why looking for a UPF rating is a better way to determine how much protection a garment is designed to provide.
Instead of asking, "Is this shirt dark enough?" look for clothing that has been specifically tested for UV protection.
Does Wet Clothing Protect You From UV Rays?
This is an especially important question if you're spending time around water.
Some fabrics may provide less UV protection when they're wet. Water can change how UV radiation passes through certain materials, which means that a shirt that offers some protection while dry may not provide the same level when wet.
If you're heading to the beach, pool, boat, or lake, consider choosing UPF 50+ swimwear or sun-protective clothing specifically designed for use around water.
Shop BloqUV UPF 50+ Swim & Cover-Ups
Is UPF 50+ Clothing Better Than Regular Clothing?
For people who spend significant time outdoors, UPF 50+ clothing provides a more predictable level of UV protection than relying on ordinary clothing alone.
UPF-rated garments are tested for their ability to block UV radiation, giving you a clearer understanding of the protection the fabric provides.
BloqUV's proprietary BloqTek™ fabric is independently UV lab tested and provides UPF 50+ protection, blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays. The protection is inherent to the fabric rather than applied as a topical chemical treatment, and BloqUV states that the UV protection does not wash out with laundering.
That makes UPF clothing especially useful for activities where you're exposed to the sun for hours at a time.
What Is the Best Clothing for Sun Protection?
When choosing sun-protective clothing, look for:
1. A UPF rating
Choose clothing with a verified UPF rating, ideally UPF 50+ for high-level protection.
2. More coverage
Long sleeves, higher necklines and longer silhouettes can help cover more of your skin.
3. Comfortable, breathable fabric
The best sun-protective clothing is clothing you'll actually want to wear. Look for lightweight, breathable and moisture-wicking fabrics that work with your lifestyle.
4. Functional details
Thumbholes, longer sleeves and comfortable fits can help keep coverage in place while you're moving.
5. Clothing designed for your activity
Golf, pickleball, tennis, hiking, boating and travel all come with different needs. Look for pieces that offer sun protection without sacrificing movement or comfort.
BloqUV UPF 50+ Clothing for Everyday Sun Protection
At BloqUV, we believe sun protection should fit into your life not keep you from enjoying it.
Our UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing is designed for everything from outdoor sports and travel to everyday errands and weekends in the sun. BloqTek™ fabric is lightweight, moisture-wicking, quick-drying and designed to provide UPF 50+ protection while keeping you comfortable.
Here are a few versatile styles to add to your sun-protection wardrobe:
Women's Long Sleeve Sun Shirt
The Women's Long Sleeve Sun Shirt 24/7 is an easy everyday layer for everything from walking and travel to outdoor activities. It's part of BloqUV's women's UPF 50+ top collection.
Shop the Women's Long Sleeve Sun Shirt 24/7
Women's Active V-Neck
For workouts, hikes and active days outside, the Women's Active UPF 50+ V-Neck combines long sleeves and thumbholes with lightweight, breathable fabric.
Shop the Women's Active UPF 50+ V-Neck
Women's Active Dress
Want full coverage without giving up your favorite dress silhouette? The Women's Active Dress features UPF 50+ BloqTek™ fabric and is designed for tennis, pickleball, golf, walking and travel.
Shop the Women's UPF 50+ Active Dress
Women's Mock Zip Top
The Women's Mock Zip Top features a higher neckline, long sleeves and thumbholes for additional coverage from your neck to your hands. It's a versatile option for golf, pickleball, tennis, boating, hiking and everyday outdoor activities.
Men's Performance Polo
Sun protection doesn't have to mean sacrificing style. The Men's Performance Polo combines UPF 50+ protection with a classic polo silhouette that's easy to wear on the golf course, at the club or anywhere your day takes you outdoors.
Shop Men's UPF 50+ Performance Polos
UPF 50+ Sun Sleeves
Already have a favorite short-sleeve shirt? UPF 50+ Sun Sleeves can add coverage from the mid-bicep to the hands. They're designed for activities including golf, tennis, running, biking, boating, fishing, hiking and travel.
Kids' UPF 50+ Styles
Kids' Crew Neck
Kids spend plenty of time outside—whether they're heading to camp, playing sports, swimming, traveling or simply playing in the backyard. The Kids' Crew Neck provides UPF 50+ protection in a comfortable, easy-to-wear style designed for active days.
Adding UPF clothing to your child's outdoor wardrobe can help make sun protection part of getting dressed, rather than something you have to remember once you're already outside.
Do You Still Need Sunscreen If You're Wearing UPF Clothing?
Yes.
UPF clothing protects the skin covered by the garment, but exposed skin still needs protection.
According to the CDC, a complete sun protection routine can include:
- Wearing UPF 50+ clothing
- Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat
- Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses
- Seeking shade when possible
- Limiting prolonged exposure during the sun's strongest hours
Think of UPF clothing as one layer of your overall sun protection strategy, not a replacement for protecting uncovered skin.
What About UPF 50+ Clothing for Sports and Outdoor Activities?
If you regularly spend several hours outdoors, UPF clothing can make sun protection much easier to incorporate into your routine.
Whether you're playing a round of golf, battling it out on the pickleball court, heading out for a hike, spending the afternoon on the boat or exploring a new destination, wearing sun-protective clothing means you don't have to think about applying sunscreen to the skin that's covered by the garment.
BloqUV offers UPF 50+ clothing for women, men and kids, with styles designed for golf, tennis, pickleball, running, swimming, hiking, boating, travel and everyday outdoor living.
Shop All BloqUV UPF 50+ Sun Protective Clothing
The Bottom Line: Can You Get Sunburn Through Clothes?
Yes, you can get sunburn through clothing especially when the clothing is lightweight, loosely woven or not designed and tested for UV protection.
Simply covering your skin isn't necessarily enough to know how much UV protection you're receiving.
For long days outside, choosing UPF 50+ sun-protective clothing can provide a reliable layer of protection for covered skin. Pair it with sunscreen on exposed areas, shade, a hat and sunglasses for a more complete approach to protecting your skin from UV exposure.
Because enjoying the outdoors and protecting your skin don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Get dressed. Get outside. Stay protected.
