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

Your Story Series: Meet Anne

It wasn't until I retired and relocated to Queensland from Victoria that I discovered that yearly skin checks were important. Queensland has the highest rate of skin cancer in Australia. I was shocked to be diagnosed with a squamous cell cancer on my forearm and shortly after, a Basal Cell on my throat.

Your Story Series: Meet Zoe

My melanoma was diagnosed in August 2019, however I was concerned about the mole on my leg in 2010. It popped up quickly and I went to the GP within two or three weeks. He did a punch biopsy and when I returned for the result, I saw a different GP in the practice who told me it was "fine, nothing to worry about" and wrote on the pathology report “no worries”.

Your Story Series: Meet Linda

The damage that is caused today by the sun can never be undone, and a potential deep burn in the pursuit of the perfect tan is not worth risking future skin cancer. I recently had a skin cancer scare which reminded of this. On a very overdue skin check, the doctor discovered something which had all the hallmark signs of a melanoma.