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What is the best color to wear for sun protection?

The weave and weight are the most important factors in determining the sun protective effectiveness of fabrics, but scientific studies have shown that color plays an important role too.

We were all told growing up to wear lighter colors in the sun because they keep you cool, but scientific studies have proven that darker colors are more effective at protecting us from the suns harmful UV rays.

A study conducted in Spain in 2009 found that fabrics with darker or more intense colors tended to have better UV radiation protection than lighter colors. Of all colours they tested, dark blue offered the best levels of UV protection. In relation to the same study, it was reported in the Telegraph newspaper that white and yellow were the worst performing colors in terms of sun protection.

The researchers admitted that whilst the results of their tests were conclusive, however, they were not entirely sure why some colors performed better at preventing UV rays from penetrating fabrics than others.

The Cancer Council in Australia has advised on their website that darker colors absorb UV rays (which equates to blocking UV) better than white or pastel colors of the same fabric.

At Solbari we test every fabric with the Australian Government and we can confirm from our fabric testing results that darker colors in the same fabric offer better sun protection. We only offer fabrics in chosen colors if they have been tested and rated UPF 50+ by the Australian Government. So, irrespective of what color fabrics you see on our website, those fabrics have achieved the excellent UPF 50+ rating.

Solbari Sun Protection is leading Australian sun protective clothing (UPF clothing) brand with customers in over 60 countries.

All of Solbari’s products, in all colors, are independently tested and rated UPF 50+ by the Australian government. UPF 50+ is the maximum sun protective rating for fabrics awarded by the Australian Government.

Solbari’s award-winning range includes UPF 50+ shirts, polos, trousers, arm sleeves and umbrellas.

You can find out more about Solbari's certified UPF50+ sun protective range by clicking the blue links below:
Women UPF50+
Men UPF50+
Sun hats UPF50+
Accessories UPF50+

The SOLBARI Team
This blog post is for information purpose only.

Also in Solbari Blog

What clothing protects best from the sun?

Dermatologists agree that clothing is the best way to protect yourself from the sun.

However, it is important to note that some clothing protects you a lot more than others from UV radiation.

What does UPF mean?

This blog explains that UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and indicates what level of UV radiation is absorbed by the fabric (and is therefore blocked before it reaches your skin).The Australian Government tests and rates the UPF rating of fabrics.

What does UPF 50+ mean?

UPF 50+ is the maximum sun protective rating achievable for fabrics.

UPF stands for ultraviolet protection factor and is the sun protective rating measure for fabrics.

UPF50+ means that only up to 1/50th or 2% of ultraviolet radiation is able to penetrate the fabric which has been tested.

A fabric which has been awarded a UPF 50+ rating by the Australian Government is considered to provide excellent protection.