The Best Sun-Protective, Yet Still Chic, Clothes

Welcome to sunscreen week at the Cut, where we provide you product reviews, tips, and news you’ll need for sun safety. But first, here’s this: Protecting your skin from harmful UVA/UVB rays is the best beauty tip. Ever.

Sure, it may be raining out, but the sun will come back. And while the prospect of following doctor’s orders to slather on sunscreen every two hours seems neither fun (or even feasible), there’s a workaround: Wear sun-proof clothing that has been tested for Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF).  Unlike sunscreens that wear down eventually with time and exposure to water, or flimsy t-shirts through which rays can seep, these clothes can give consistent protection on the body parts they’re covering. Clothing that does the best job carries a UPF rating from 15 (good) to 50+ (excellent), and our favorite options are colorful rash guards and sun block shirts that are not just for the beach, but can be layered into your look — imagine them color blocked with a fun skirt and heels — all sweltering season long. Click ahead to see our favorites for summer.