Talking Textiles:
Sun Protection with Shady Side

Above: Shady Side - Sun Protection Tee with Tradewind Technology™ in Pool

Whether you are out in nature or at the resort, overexposure to direct sunlight can turn your dream vacation into lasting memory for the wrong reasons. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is something that can be easily overlooked when planning trips, but if you do not adequately cover and protect your skin you can expose yourself to premature aging, sunburn, and even skin cancers.

Wearing clothing with UPF sun protection is an easy way to stay cool while protecting yourself from the many dangers associated with too much sunshine. Tori Richard has developed our UPF 50 Shady Side - Sun Protection Tee's with Tradewind Technology™ to ensure you stay protected, comfortable, and dry while enjoying your favorite activities.

Above: Shady Side Sun Protection Shelly Tee with Tradewind Technology™ in Surfer Red

What does UPF mean?

Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) refers to the tested standard used to measure sun protection in textiles created specifically to block UV radiation before it reaches your skin. The UPF rating can be measured by the percentage of UV radiation the fabric allows to pass through. For example, UPF 15 clothing would only allow 1/15 or 6% of UV rays from reaching your skin. Our Shady Side fabric blend of 88% Nylon and 12% Spandex comes with a UPF rating of 50 which means it can reduce UV radiation exposure on covered areas and block up to 98% of UV rays from causing damage to your skin. UPF is used to measure UV protection in clothing, while SPF is used to measure how long a sunscreen’s protection will last before skin burns under direct sunlight.

Source: Cureus. 2022 Jul; 14(7): e27333. An Overview of Ultraviolet-Protective Clothing.

Shady Side vs. Natural Fabrics

Many types of natural fabrics like cotton may feel cooler in the summer breeze but do little to help with sun protection as they are normally constructed of loosely weaved micro-holes. Synthetic fabrics like our Shady Side blend of nylon and spandex offer a multitude of advantages when it comes to UPF protection, including achieving a tighter jersey knit construction and more saturated colors so that less UV rays pass through. Nylon has extreme durability and spandex helps with movement making this blend perfect for extended wear. Another benefit of synthetic fabric with a high UPF rating is that it covers both UVA rays (longer wavelength rays that cause aging) and UVB rays (shorter wavelength rays that cause sunburn) with lasting affect, whereas ocean-safe sunscreen wears off unless you continuously reapply. 

Stay protected and dry with Shady Side

If you plan to spend all day at the beach, in the water, or out in the sunshine; Tradewind Technology™ fabric is an easy way to stay comfortably dry. Our special jersey knit was developed to move moisture outside the tee to help you keep cool and dry with enhanced moisture-wicking properties in a lightweight non-stick fabric. The Shady Side - Sun Protection Tee's are luxurious to the touch and come in 5 colors so anyone can stay protected from the elements in style. Stretchy, light, smooth, and wrinkle-resistant, this long-sleeve top is a must-have for any venture under the sun. With Shady Side's incredible comfort and soft hand, in and out of the sun, we believe this is the most comfortable sun shirt you can find, anywhere. Whether you’re hiking, sailing, snorkeling, surfing, or just hanging out, Shady Side will be there.

• 88% Nylon / 12% Spandex 
• Tradewind Technology™ fabric 
• Rubber logo at hem 
• Enhanced stretch 
• Moisture-wicking 
• Quick dry properties 
• UPF 50 sun protection 
• Direct printed label for comfort 
• Machine washable