As the winter draws to a close, we can look ahead and just picture the beautiful chaos and glamour of Miami Beach this summer.
The air is heavy with that tiring tropical humidity, yet the energy around the Mondrian and the Faena Forum is electric. Miami Swim Week 2026 is certainly one to look forward to.
But if we think past the LED-lit runway, overflowing poolside cabanas and the neon string bikinis, there’s something on many people’s minds. Can we look good in swimwear whilst staying sun protected? The answer is absolutely yes.
For decades, people relied on sunscreen and clothing for sun protection, neither of which translate well when we are in the water or by the beach. It is common to catch a sunburn even with sunscreen when we are swimming or sweating as it is often not applied frequently enough. And as many of us are becoming increasingly aware, normal clothing just doesn’t provide enough sun protection to keep us safe in this intense summer sun.
The rising skin cancer rates coupled with the lack of viable sun protection in modern-day swimwear have given rise to the increasing popularity of UPF 50+ rated swimwear. This is swimwear that has sun protective technology built into the fabric that it is made of. This fabric is third-party tested to comply with UPF standards whereby UPF 50+ corresponds to the fabric blocking a minimum of 98% of UV rays. It’s like SPF for your swimwear.
The Anti-Ageing Effect of UPF Swimwear
Anti-ageing is a hot topic these days. Consumers are increasingly demanding anti-ageing in the products they buy: from make-up with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to even injectable NAD+ supplementation. It makes perfect sense to now apply anti-ageing to the swimwear we wear.
90% of visible aging comes from cumulative sun exposure, and, since tests show that an average cotton t-shirt has the same sun protection as an SPF 5 sunscreen, this shows that our swimwear needs an upgrade. This is exactly what renowned brands have done, by introducing UPF 50+ swimwear (and clothing & hats) to the market.
UPF vs. SPF
It is no longer possible to keep a layer of sunscreen to avoid the severe effects of photo ageing and melanoma as recently emphasised by oncology experts. It has to be covered up. The distinction between UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is that UPF scores the capability of a clothing material to block the UVB and UVA rays, whereas SPF scores the capability of a liquid and cream to block the UVB rays only.
It is necessary to mention that UVA rays are the major factors that relate to skin ageing and wrinkle formation. On the one hand, the benefits of UPF swimwear in comparison with SPF in terms of the anti-ageing are obvious, but it is also necessary to mention that it has a great practical benefit to wear UPF swimwear.
The sunscreen is easily washed away, cannot withstand heat and has to be applied continuously. In the meantime UPF swimwear also means that you can simply wear it and enjoy the fact that you are under the sun protection.
Where to Find UPF Swimwear
Consumers don’t just want fast fashion anymore; they want a brand with heritage, expertise and authority, and even a story behind its creation.
Think of some of the most impactful brands in our closets. They almost never start in a corporate boardroom with executives staring at trend forecasts. The truly iconic labels begin out of pure, frustrating necessity.
Inspired by a personal need, their idea was to create the UV swimwear that combines style and protection.The line is centered around the production of high quality and fashionable UV swimsuits and clothes.
Considering that the sun-safe clothes were not always in fashion, the team invited to the company a head designer of one of the largest fashion houses to create some clothes that can be both protective and fashionable. Its product line encompasses clothing, swimwear, and sun hats of all ages, including the youngest infants and adults, enabling families to create their own coordinated and sun-protective looks.
How to Style UPF Swimwear
At least by historical standards, UPF swimwear is a bit less versatile when it comes to styling. UPF swimwear typically covers you up, in some cases head-to-toe, with blocky primary colours that almost look like you’re trying to put a circle through a square hole. That is not to say it can’t be fashionable. It just takes a bit more creativity.
Cropped swim tops are fully replaced at the moment. Imagery: Fitted long sleeve UPF 50+ swim top with high-waisted linen palazzo pants. Rather than putting your swim top on only in the water, use it as a top statement. Wear a long, vibrant, cropped, sleeve top in a swimsuit together with a high-waisted, silk maxi skirt. Add a pair of leather sandals and you immediately have a beautiful resort lunch put together.
There can be nothing more costly than single colour dressing. Wear a long sleek sunsuit which is black in color, and wrap yourself around with a sheer color sarong covering your entire body which is also black. Include a pair of oversized sunglasses made of acetate. It gives off major vintage Riviera energy while keeping your skin completely protected.
Do you have a long sleeve zip-front one piece? Unzip the front into a deep V neck once the sun goes down. Slide into a pair of wide-leg trousers and throw a tailored white linen blazer right over the swimsuit. It transforms a functional beach piece into a stunning evening bodysuit.
In the same way people used to be able to stand out for wearing a bright bikini, you can stand out by covering up fashionably in sun protective swimwear. The beauty is not just visual, but also in the messaging of sun protection, health and longevity that you promote by doing so.
The Sustainability Factor
Sustainability has always connected with fashion, and recycled materials have become almost a standard nowadays. By applying the sustainability lens in a different perspective, we will realize that the increase in popularity of the UPF swimwear has significantly lessened the use of sunscreen. The conventional chemical sunscreen is saturated with chemicals such as oxybenzone that result in extreme coral bleaching; this has resulted to its ban in tropical areas such as Hawaii.
The benefits of UPF swimwear are pronounced and, with more brands coming into the market, you can expect an increasing number of stylish options to prevail and even make an appearance at Miami Swim Week.
