Sun protection that doesn't look like you're heading to a medical appointment.
SPF on your skin. UPF in your swimwear. If you're not already thinking about both, this is your sign to start.
UPF 50+ swimwear blocks 98% of UV radiation — both UVA and UVB — directly through the fabric. That means the parts of you covered by your swimsuit get serious protection without any reapplication, sweating off, or waterproofing drama. It's not a niche category anymore; it's just smart swimwear.
What Does UPF 50+ Actually Mean?
UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) is the swimwear equivalent of SPF — but rated for fabric rather than skin. A UPF 50+ rating means only 1/50th of UV radiation passes through the material. For context, a standard white cotton T-shirt has a UPF of around 5. Not quite the same.
The key difference from regular swimwear: UPF-rated fabrics are specifically tested and certified. It's not a marketing term — it's a measurable standard.
Who Should Be Wearing It?
Honestly? Everyone. But especially:
- Fair-skinned swimmers who burn quickly in or out of the water
- Anyone spending long days at the beach, lake, or pool where reapplication isn't always practical
- Outdoor water sports enthusiasts — surfers, paddleboarders, open water swimmers
- Parents buying swimwear for themselves (the kids get sunscreen; you forget about yourself — we see you)
- Anyone who's had skin concerns and wants a reliable, low-maintenance layer of protection
Style Doesn't Have to Take a Back Seat
The old knock on sun-protective swimwear was that it looked, well, protective. Clinical. Rash-guard-y in a way that screamed "I burn easily" rather than "I've made a considered style choice."
That's changed. UPF 50+ swimwear now comes in the same cuts, prints, and silhouettes as any other swim collection — bikinis, one-pieces, shorts, cover-ups. The protection is built into the fabric; you'd never know it was there from looking at it.
Browse our Women's Swimwear collection — everything in it carries a UPF 50+ rating as standard.
A Few Things to Look For When Buying UPF Swimwear
- Check the certification — look for UPF 50 or UPF 50+ labelling, not just "sun protective" language
- Fit matters — fabric stretched too thin loses some of its protective rating, so go for a proper fit rather than sizing down
- Wet vs dry — most UPF-rated swimwear maintains its rating when wet, but it's worth checking; some fabrics lose protection when saturated
- Coverage — a UPF 50+ bikini protects what it covers; you'll still want SPF for everything else
The Bottom Line
UPF 50+ swimwear is one of those small upgrades that makes a genuine difference without asking much of you. Same swimwear, same beach, same summer — just with meaningful sun protection built in.
Shop our full Women's Swimwear collection for UPF 50+ styles worth wearing.
