s the sunnier seasons approach, your corporate and vacation-spot buyers want sun-safe apparel and accessories. Offering wearables with high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) meets this demand but also demonstrates a commitment to employee well-being and brand image. To help you get ahead of the surge, we’ve curated a list of unique UPF-rated apparel and accessories that blend outdoor style with lots of sun protection.
Empower Your Customers With Sun-Safe Apparel Choices
Sunlight contains ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, and skin cancer. Offering clothing designed for sun protection and tested for its UPF lets you offer your end-users greater control over their UV exposure, while they enjoy the sunny spring and summer months outside.
UPF-rated clothing benefits everyone, but especially these groups:
● Sun-sensitive individuals or those on medication: Those prone to sunburn due to factors like lighter-toned skin or many moles, or taking certain medications, can experience increased sun sensitivity and risk of UV damage.
● People with a darker skin tone: While melanin provides some protection, UV damage may be less noticeable, so it’s important to still protect your skin.
● Children and seniors: Thinner skin and cumulative sun exposure for younger and older people increase health risks from UV rays.
● Individuals on the water, at high altitudes or in equatorial regions: These areas experience higher UV intensity and increase the possibility of negative sun effects.
Do You Know What UPF Sun Protection Means?
Before you dive into pitching sun-protective apparel and accessories, you should understand the “fabric science” behind it. Manufacturers specifically design sun-protective clothing to protect wearers from sunburns and other damage by using fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet protection.
Apparel uses the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating system, like the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) for sunscreen. While SPF indicates sunscreen’s effectiveness against UVB rays, UPF measures how fabric filters UVA and UVB light.
When you’re presenting apparel to your buyers, note that a higher UPF rating number and more skin coverage provides better sun protection for wearers. Here’s a quick breakdown of common UPF ratings:
● UPF rating of 30: The garment fabric allows 1/30th or 3% of UV radiation to pass through it.
● UPF rating of 50: The fabric only lets 1/50th or 2% of UV rays through.
● UPF rating of 50+: Any fabrication that lets less than 2% of UV rays to transmit through gets this label.
Show Off Your Sun Savvy With These UPF Products
Prepare your clients for resort season with stylish and sun-safe apparel programs. Whether for vacation destinations or branded gear, ensure your employees, clients, guests or event participants can enjoy the summer sun safely.
1. Columbia’s Silver Ridge™ Utility Lite Short Sleeve Shirt
For clients seeking high-end, premium apparel with strong brand recognition, Columbia is the ideal choice. With an impressive 78% brand awareness among sports and outdoor apparel enthusiasts, Columbia offers both quality and name appeal.
Keep wearers sun-safe, cool and dry at all times with the brand’s proprietary Omni-Shade™ UPF 50 sun protection, Omni-Wick™ moisture-management properties and a three-point back ventilation system. Two handy front chest pockets with hook-and-loop closures hold essentials.
This go-everywhere shirt, which comes in Black or Ancient Fossil, is also made from 100% recycled polyester, making it attractive to lifestyle brands and eco-friendly markets.
How to pitch it:
This fashion-forward, button-down performance shirt offers a lot of versatility, as it transitions effortlessly from outdoor activities like fishing or hiking, to a day at the office or to a fun night out. Whether it’s an upscale gift, uniform piece or for-sale item, pairing a logo alongside Columbia’s will raise the perceived value of this shirt, while protecting wearers from the sun’s harmful rays.
2. Paragon’s Biloxi Mossy Oak Performance Colorblocked Hoodie
Nothing says go enjoy the Great Outdoors with sun safety in mind like this versatile, lightweight hoodie made from microfiber performance polyester. Your clients will love the colorful colorblocked print Mossy Oak sleeve and hood that come in a variety of palettes, from Nautical to Seafoam to Shadow Grass.
Keep wearers protected from the sun, and cool and dry, with UPF 50+ fabric and Paragon Plus odor and moisture management properties. The hoodie also has a wrinkle-resistant fabric, so you’ll always look great on the go. A tearaway label makes this style great for rebranding, especially for resale at a resort or destination location.
How to pitch it:
This lightweight hoodie is perfect for team sports, hiking adventures, beach outings and even as part of stylish uniforms. Whether for resale at a resort or destination location, or for outfitting a team, this hoodie is sure to be a hit!
3. Paragon’s Women's Long Islander Performance Long Sleeve T-Shirt
Meet an easy-breezy, versatile style that’s great for all occasions, from a day at work, to a sweat session at the gym or a refreshing walk on the beach. Made of comfortable and breathable microfiber performance polyester, this shirt features a feminine scoop neck, flattering side seams and a shaped drop tail hem.
Wearers will stay cool and dry with Paragon Plus odor and moisture management properties. The UPF 50+ fabric offers maximum sun protection for staying outside all day long.
The tearaway tag adds versatility, allowing for easy rebranding, especially for destination locations.
How to pitch it:
This shirt is a versatile choice that appeals to a wide range of buyers. It's ideal for gyms or fitness centers, as uniforms, giveaways for event attendees, and resort wear for outdoor enthusiasts seeking sun protection. Available in pastel shades like Blue Mist, Mint Green, Pale Yellow, and Peach, this shirt is ideal for various spring and summer occasions.
4. Richardson’s Umpqua Snapback Cap
The Richardson brand is experiencing a surge in popularity right now among consumers – in part because the brand’s hats are known for high-quality materials, excellent craftsmanship and trendy designs. The caps also appeal to a broader audience, making them a popular choice for businesses, teams, and organizations looking to create branded merch.
This adjustable Umpqua Snapback Cap is a unique five-panel, low-profile hat style with a braid detail over a flat bill. If your buyer wants a vintage or throwback look, this cap is the perfect option due to its soft-structured look and muted colorways like Pale Peach/Maroon and Loden/Amber Gold. The UPF 50+ sun protection just adds to this cool hat’s appeal.
How to pitch it:
The Umpqua Snapback Cap is a must-have for branding and merchandising. Its unique five-panel, low-profile design with a braid detail and flat bill offers a vintage look, perfect for businesses and teams aiming for a throwback aesthetic. The muted colorways and UPF rating make it an ideal choice for outdoorsy lifestyle brands. Pairing a patched logo with Richardson's high-quality brand will elevate the cap's perceived value, making it a desirable option for upscale gifts, uniforms or resale.
5. Imperial’s Alter Ego Cap
Imperial Headwear's century-long legacy in producing premium golf hats and visors, along with its presence in prestigious golf clubs and major championships, has made it the leading headwear brand in golf. However, the brand has become super-popular among regular consumers because of its unique styles and endorsement by PGA Tour professionals like Keith Mitchell.
The Alter Ego cap is an adjustable, six-panel low-profile hat with a moisture-management and antimicrobial sweatband for staying cool and dry while you’re active. Plus, the hat is UPF 50+, to offer ultimate protection against the sun’s harmful rays. This cap is also made from 100% recycled polyester, making it attractive to lifestyle brands and eco-friendly markets.
But what we think makes this hat style stand out even more is that this unstructured style comes in a whole variety of fun sublimated patterns to fit all types of brands and occasions. Restaurants and beach destinations can opt for the Beach Blue, White Lobster, and White Bone Fish patterns for uniforms. Breweries and bars may prefer the Beer & Hops hats for servers or merchandise. The White Shamrock pattern is ideal for St. Patrick’s Day, while the Black Pirates or White Skulls designs are perfect for Halloween events.
How to pitch it:
The Alter Ego truly seems like a cap style for every business, occasion and wearer, with its brand appeal, eco-friendly fabrication, sun-protective qualities and myriad of themed patterns.
Take Your Place in the Sunshine
Get ahead of the temperature rise and pitch these shirts, hoodies and hats now to your customers for their upcoming spring and summer promos and events. Highlight these items’ brand appeal and essential UPF sun-protective properties, showing your clients that you're planning ahead for their summer season, events, and promos with functional and fashionable gear suitable for everyone.
