Sun Shirt FAQs
What is a sun shirt?
A sun shirt is a type of shirt specifically designed to provide protection from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Quality sun shirts have built-in sun protection with a UPF rating that indicates what percentage of UV rays are blocked.
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor. UPF is to fabrics with SPF is to sunscreens.
Sun Shirt | Sun Protection FAQs
What does UPF50 mean?
A sun shirt rated UPF 50 blocks 98% of the sun's UV rays.
UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor and it's the sun protection rating used for fabrics. The higher the UPF rating, the more sun protection the fabric provides.
- UPF50: Allows roughly 1/50th (2%) of UV rays to get through, blocking 98% of UV rays
- UP30: Allows roughly 1/30th (3.3%) of UV rays to get through, blocking 96.7% of UV rays
- UPF15: Allows roughly 1/15th (6.7%) of UV rays to get through, blocking 93.3% of UV rays
What’s the safest sun protection?
When you’re out in the sun, the safest sun protection is a sun shirt. Sun shirts beat out sunscreens as the safer, healthier, easier, longer-lasting and more stylish option.
Why Sun Shirts are Safer Than Sunscreen for Sun Protection
- You don’t have to remember to reapply a sun shirt after you get wet, sweaty or two hours go by.
- Sun protective clothing doesn’t contain meradimate, oxybenzone, cinoxate, padimate O, or other weirdo ingredients you’ll find in some sunscreen.
- You don’t have to worry about the UPF fabric leeching strange chemicals into your body or the environment.
- Slip on the sun shirt, and your totally covered. No missed areas that can end up burned – like that small patch in the exact middle of your back where sunscreen never seems to reach.
- Sun protection fabrics automatically safeguard against both UVA and UVB rays. Most sunscreens only protect against UVB rays. Even many designated “broad spectrum,” which are meant to protect against UVA and UVB rays, have been found to be inadequate when it comes to UVA protection.
What Else You Need to Know about Sun Protection
While the sun shirt (literally) has your back, you still want to protect your head, eyes and other bodily areas. Sun hats are a must, as are sunglasses and additional protection as needed and desired.
Beach tents can be a total game changer for hanging out at the beach for extended periods. And don’t forget to stay hydrated and bring plenty of snacks (for you and your dog).
If you also want to add sunscreen into the mix, choose one with safe ingredients – like those verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
How can I keep my kids safe from sunscreen chemicals?
In all honesty, the best way to steer clear of sunscreen chemicals is to, well, steer clear of sunscreen. , well, avoid sunscreen completely.
Outfit your kids in sun protection clothing instead. The safest sun protection is definitely a sun shirt, and the potentially harmful ingredients in sunscreens are a big reason why.
What sunscreen ingredients are recognized as safe?
In a 2021 regulation update, the only two sunscreen ingredients the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) deemed as safe and effective were:
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
What potentially harmful ingredients are in sunscreen?
Twelve other sunscreen ingredients fall into the potential danger zone, not generally recognized as safe and effective by the FDA. These are:
- Avobenzone
- Cinoxate
- Dioxybenzone
- Ensulizole
- Homosalate
- Meradimate
- Octinoxate
- Octisalate
- Octocrylene
- Oxybenzone
- Padimate O
- Sulisobenzone
Why are these sunscreen chemicals harmful?
All of the ingredients penetrate the skin, which means they can work their way into the body. Some have been found to cause hormone disruption. Others can cause skin irritation, allergies and even inhalation issues.
Not only are the ingredients not considered safe for you and your kids, but they can also be harmful to coral reefs and other marine life – not to mention your pets. While you’re (hopefully) not about to slather sunscreen on your dog, we do like to lick things. An arm covered in sunscreen may be one of those things.
The Bottom Line = The Sun Protection Top
If you MUST wear a sunscreen, look for one that only contains the two ingredients deemed as safe for humans, coral reefs and other marine and animal life:
- Zinc oxide
- Titanium dioxide
If you’d rather make it easier for yourself and your kids, go for a UPF50 sun shirt. The fabric does not lose its sun protection power; provides breathable, moisture-wicking comfort; and protects against UVA and UVB rays.
How long does the UPF 50 sun protection last in a sun shirt?
If you go for high-quality sun shirts (like ours) where the sun protection is built into the fabric, you can expect the sun protection to last for the entire lifetime of the shirt.
If you opt for UV clothing where the sun protection is sprayed onto the fabric, you can expect the protection to dwindle after as a few as five washes. That’s right. The spray-on protection rather quickly washes out of the shirt.
We vote sticking with the high-quality UPF 50 shirts you’ll find in our shop, and we can certainly vouch for their quality.
We spent an extensive amount of time and energy testing multiple sun shirts from various manufacturers until we landed on the selection of top-tier shirts we felt confident carrying.
The sun shirts we opted for are made out of high-tech fabrics that withstand:
- Loads of sun
- The dye sublimation printing process we use to create graphic tees
- Swimming and boating
- Hiking and biking
- All types of outdoor (and indoor) activities
More than once we’ve also heard our sun shirts make great sleep shirts, thanks to the moisture-wicking properties that keep you dry and cool all night long.
What type of material are sun shirts made of?
Our sun shirts are made out of microfiber that features built-in UPF50 sun protection. The UV protection shirts are:
- Moisture wicking
- Quick drying
- Durable
- Odor and stain resistant
- Easy to maintain. Simply machine wash and either hang to dry or tumble dry low. (Just don't add fabric softener!)
How do you wash sun shirts and UV protection clothing?
The proper method for washing a sun shirt depends on the clothing manufacturer. The high-quality sun shirts we sell are durable and easy to wash.
Just pop them in the washing machine. Wash on cold for gentlest results. Tumble dry low or hang to air dry.
The one thing to remember is not to use fabric softener as it is prone to clogging up the breathability of the fabric.
Does the sun protection wash out of UPF50 shirts?
That also depends on the manufacturer. In the case of our sun shirts, the answer is no. The UPF50 protection is built right into the fabric, ensuring it lasts for the entire lifetime of the shirt. The high protection levels also mean our shirts get the nod from the Skin Cancer Foundation.
But not all sun protection clothing is created equal. Some may use sprayed-on UV protection, which can wash off in as few as five washes.
Don’t buy those. Go for high-quality sun shirts instead.
What’s the difference between a women’s sun shirt and a men’s sun shirt?
When you’re looking at the difference between the men’s and women’s sun shirts we sell, it all comes down to the cut and fit. Here comes a quick rundown on the main differences between the two styles.
Women’s Sun Shirts: Standard Scoop Neck
- Neckline: Scoop neck
- Sleeve: Raglan sleeve, with the sleeve extending to the neckline and the stitching at an angle
- Length: Back of the shirt is slightly longer than the front of the shirt, with the back hem featuring a slightly rounded cut that is longest in the center
- Overall fit: The women’s style is a shade more form-fitting than the men’s style.
Men’s Sun Shirts: Standard Crew Neck
- Neckline: Crew neck
- Sleeve: Set-in sleeve, with the sleeve set-in the body of the shirt, attached at the shoulder and the stitching perpendicular to the neckline
- Length: Back and front of shirt are same length
- Overall fit: The men’s style has a roomy, boxier fit
What are unisex sun shirts?
In our collection of shirts, the unisex sun shirt style is the same as the men’s sun shirt. Here you get the crew neck, straight-down shoulder seams, and a roomier fit than the women’s cut.
How do the sizes compare between the men’s/unisex and women’s sun shirts?
The men’s/unisex sun shirts run slightly larger than the women’s sun shirts. The general rule of thumb is to expect a one-size difference between the men’s/unisex and women’s cut.
Sun Shirt Size Comparison
- Men’s/Unisex Extra Small = Women’s Small
- Men’s/Unisex Small = Women’s Medium
- Men’s/Unisex Medium = Women’s Large
- Men’s/Unisex Large = Women’s Extra Large
NOTE: All the information here relates to the standard sun shirts sold by Cape Life Apparel. Different manufacturers may have different cuts, styles and/or designations for their specific shirts.
Do sun shirts still provide sun protection when they’re wet?
Yes. Because the sun protection is built into our sun shirts, they offer protection against UV rays whether they’re wet or dry. Just keep in mind that UV rays more easily penetrate through water than they do through air. This means the shirt will offer the most protection when dry.
But you’ll still get a lot more protection that you would without it.
What’s the difference between a sun shirt and a swim shirt?
They can actually be the same thing, as long as the shirt:
- Has built-in sun protection that doesn’t wash out when wet
- Has a style suitable for water sports or swimming
Our standard sun shirts can double as swim shirts, as long as you pick a style that has a comfy fit that’s not too boxy.
You can also find protective shirts specifically designed for swimming, with a limited variety of styles and colors. The fit will again be comfortable but not overly baggy, perfect for extended wear or a quick dip in the ocean, gulf, pond or pool.
What are rash guards?
Rash guards are shirts specifically made for high-intensity water sports, like surfing. The main difference between them and other swim shirts is the fit. Rash guards are meant to fit snug to the body to offer the least resistance in the water.
The next step up from rash guards would be a wetsuit, and you can actually find some rash guards made from the same type of neoprene material.
Sun shirts and swim shirts are typically made out of durable microfiber. This means they don’t shrink and can stand up to all types of adventure, on land or at sea.
Do I have to wear sunscreen under my sun shirt?
No. Sun protective clothing is designed to replace the need for sunscreen – not simply add a layer on top of it. Our UPF50 sun shirts provide ample protection against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
Wearing sunscreen beneath a sun shirt is redundant. Kind of like eating dinner before you eat dinner. Or exercising before you go to the gym.
Besides, you could get the gooey, greasy sunscreen residue all over your sun shirt.
While the skin beneath your sun shirt is protected, don’t forget about the rest of you. Get a quality sun protection hat to protect your face, ears and neck. And dabble a bit of sunscreen on areas that may still be exposed to the sun.
What is the highest sun protection you can get for fabric?
When it comes to sun protection in fabrics, UPF 50+ is the highest you can go. You won't find anything rated UPF 60, 70, 80 or even 100. Those ratings simply don't exist.
You're at the top of the game – and the sun protection ladder – with any fabric rated UPF 50 or UPF 50+.
What is a Dri Fit shirt? Or is dryfit shirt?
A Dri Fit shirt refers to a shirt featuring a microfiber polyester with special moisture-wicking properties that evenly absorbs the perspiration away from your body. While Nike originally coined the term "Dri Fit" for their fabrics, "dryfit shirt" has become the generic terminology to refer to any type of shirt that holds those same properties. The high-tech fabrics used in the shirts we sell qualify, which means our sun shirts could be considered dryfit shirts.
How are the graphic designs printed on sun shirts?
We print our sun shirts in-house using a dye sublimation process. Unlike screen printing where the ink sits on top of the fabric, dye sublimation printing embeds the ink into the fabric. Think of it as a kind of tattoo for fabric. The high-quality print doesn’t crack, peel or block the
airflow – an absolute must when you’re aiming to stay cool.
Can you print photos on a sun shirt?
Yes. Our custom photo shirts have included images of people's dogs, families, cars, trucks, boats and even a picture of a customer with John Denver. Custom photo printing on UV shirts works best with a lighter colored shirt, such as white, pearl grey or arctic blue. You can read more info about our custom printing here.
What uses do sun shirts have?
While wearing our sun shirts out in the sun is an obvious choice, it’s not the only one. The moisture-wicking, breathable fabric makes for a perfect base layer in colder weather. They’re also great for hiking, bicycling, camping and traveling in any weather.
So easy to pack!
And more than once, customers have told us our sun shirts are the softest, most comfortable shirt to sleep in.
Cape Life Apparel is the UPF 50 sun shirt capital of Southwest Florida.
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BEST SUN PROTECTION YOU CAN WEAR ANYWHERE
If you’re looking for fun in the sun, Cape Life Apparel is the place to get it. For the past 13+ years, we’ve been covering Southwest Florida with UPF 50 sun shirts that block 98% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor, and a UPF of 30 or higher is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation.
Unlike sunscreen that must be slathered on repeatedly throughout the day, UV protection clothing keeps you covered with no repeat applications or potentially harmful chemicals. In short, it’s the longest-lasting and safest sun protection you can find.
In addition to offering optimum sun protection, the UV fabrics we choose are breathable, moisture-wicking and some even feature odor-absorbing properties. They are tough enough for any adventure yet soft and comfy enough for all-day wear – and even sleep.
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SUN PROTECTION MEETS SIGNATURE GRAPHIC TEES
It’s not just the high-quality UV performance fabrics and workmanship that makes our sun shirts stand out, either. We’ve been rocking graphic tee designs since 1982.
We focus on sun shirt graphics that reflect the vibe of the Cape Coral, Fort Myers and Sanibel areas of Florida’s Gulf Coast. You’ll even find the place names printed on the sun shirts for an extra special touch.
Dye-sublimation printing is the method we use for quality and longevity with sun protection fabrics, as it won’t peel, crack, fade or block the air flow. That means your UPF 50 sun shirt stays fully breathable, ready for action, and primed for all the fun in the sun you can give it.
Shop online or visit our Cape Life store in downtown Cape Coral for UPF 50 sun protection clothing, hats, souvenirs and other items that reflect the personality and our love for our Southwest Florida community.