Friday, August 14th 2026
What for years has been viewed with suspicion, prejudice or even hostility in some Western circles – the covering of the body, often associated with Islamic tradition – is being rethought in an entirely different context: that of health and sun protection.
The irony of the times is that precisely a practice stigmatized as “foreign” or “oppressive” is now being appreciated for its practical benefits, showing how prejudice can prevent us from seeing the indisputable values of some customs.
This change of perception comes at a time when ultraviolet rays are becoming more and more dangerous and when fashion and science are collaborating to offer solutions that were once considered “strange” in the West.
In recent weeks, photos of the actress Anne Hathaway during vacations in Italy and the south of France spread on social networks. She appeared on a boat in unusual beachwear: not bikinis, tankinis or traditional bathing suits, but clothing that covered almost the entire body, leaving only the hands, legs, neck and face uncovered.
The latter were also protected by a wide-brimmed hat. The photos aren’t all from this year, but Hathaway’s outfits caught the eye for another reason: they’re part of a trend that’s gaining more and more popularity, that of clothing with UV protection.
The actress’ colorful suits, made by the brand Tutublue, have a UPF 50+ protection factor. UPF stands for “Ultraviolet Protection Factor” and indicates how well a material blocks ultraviolet radiation.
A garment with UPF 50 allows only about 2 percent of the UV radiation falling on it to penetrate. The concept is similar to the SPF of sunscreens, but the measurement is done differently.
UPF estimates the amount of radiation that passes through the fabric, while SPF is primarily related to the time it takes for protected skin to redden compared to unprotected skin.
In fact, not all protective clothing must necessarily carry the UPF label. Even ordinary clothes can provide a significant level of protection, depending on the material, fabric density and color.
However, companies that produce special clothing use materials and technologies designed to guarantee higher levels of protection.
The main advantage is practicality. Unlike sunscreen, which needs to be reapplied after contact with water or every few hours, UPF clothing can be worn all the time.
This can be especially helpful for children who spend a lot of time in the sun, for people who work or spend a lot of time outside, or for those who don’t like the feel of sunscreen on their skin.
However, clothing does not completely replace sunscreen. Areas that remain exposed, such as the face, neck and hands, should be protected with sunscreen. The search for a fabric sun protection standard began in Australia in the 1970s, while the first UPF standard was published in 1996.
Today there are several certification systems, but no universal standard. According to Altroconsumo expert Livia Biardi, one of the most reliable standards is UV 801, which tests clothing even when wet and after being subjected to conditions that simulate real use.
The American Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that clothing have at least UPF 50 to consider their protection particularly effective. Clothing with this technology is already widely used in activities such as surfing, cycling, fishing and hiking.
They are also being offered by major sports brands, showing that sun protection is no longer seen as just a matter of creams, but also as an important part of the way we dress. tesheshi.com
Source: prizrenpost
