Best T-shirt

Athleta Essence Explore Crop Tee

This easy, breezy tee is made to mix and match with your entire wardrobe. It’s the perfect travel companion, as it takes up minimal packing space and will keep you cool on the go thanks to sweat-wicking and quick-drying technology. The ultra-soft polyester blend is made from recycled materials and packed with antimicrobial silver ions, which eliminate odor and help you go a little longer between laundry days (and yes, it’s machine washable) — a huge plus while you’re away from home. It offers an extra layer of sun protection for your adventures as it’s rated UPF 50+ and features a little extra length on the sleeves. Notably, the cropped fit is designed to hit just above the waist, and we love that it doesn’t ride up when we’re out and about. There’s also a shade to suit every style: choose from black, white, or olive.

The Details: UPF 50+ | 2XS to XL | Recycled polyester, TENCEL™ modal, spandex, polyester | Machine wash and dry

Best Visor

Girlfriend Collective Black Recycled Visor

Girlfriend Collective pieces are made with sustainability and size-inclusivity in mind. This sleek and stylish visor helps to keep plastic out of landfills thanks to the recycled materials it’s made from — something you can feel good about the next time you’re strolling on a plastic-free beach. There’s no need to worry about the sun in your eyes with this visor, which features a generous brim that protects your peepers (and is rated UPF 50+). We love that it’s made with four-way stretch and an adjustable closure in the back, so you can customize the fit to your liking. For those who don’t like logos, the Girlfriend Collective branding on the back may be a dealbreaker, but who doesn’t love showing support for sustainability?

The Details: UPF 50+ | One size | Recycled plastic, spandex | Machine wash cold with a microfiber filter, hang dry

Best Long-sleeve Shirt

Eddie Bauer UPF Guide Long-Sleeve Shirt

Designed to keep you sun-safe and sweat-free on your outdoor excursions, this button-up shirt from Eddie Bauer is lightweight, cooling, and easily adjustable. It’s made with AirSpace technology, which infuses the polyester and nylon blend with moisture-wicking and cooling properties. The boxy, boyfriend-style fit allows for plenty of airflow, ensuring you won’t get sticky or sweaty on hikes or any other adventure. While the style definitively skews outdoorsy, it’s easy to switch it up to suit your personal taste and needs; it’s available in 10 vibrant colors and a huge range of sizes, plus there are handy roll-tabs on the sleeves to keep them in place if you roll them up. The cuffs are asymmetric to offer additional sun protection, beyond the shirt’s UPF 50+ rating. Two chest pockets and one discreet side pocket offer enough room for all of your small essentials, (like extra sunscreen), so you can explore hands-free.

The Details: UPF 50+ | Regular (XS to 2XL), petite (S to L), tall (M to 2XL), plus (2 to 3XL) | polyester, nylon | Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

Best Sun Hat

Jenni Kayne Cotton Canvas Sun Hat

Dr. Ellis recommends this wide-brimmed sun hat from California lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne for travelers who are looking for a stylish, easy-to-pack piece. It’s not hard to picture ourselves wearing it while sunbathing on the French Riviera — it’s more polished and elegant than most sun hats, which tend to skew utilitarian aesthetically. While the UPF rating isn’t marked, canvas is a densely woven material that inherently blocks out more UV rays than more sheer or porous fabrics. It’s available in five timeless shades — think khaki, navy, and more — and there are two sizes to ensure a comfortable and flattering fit.

The Details: S/M, M/L | Canvas, cotton canvas lining

Best Swimsuit

Coolibar Escalante Sleeveless Swimsuit

Coolibar is the first brand to receive the Skin Cancer Foundation’s Seal of Recommendation for their UV protectant fabrics, which gives you an idea of how trustworthy and well-crafted their pieces are. This slick and flattering one-piece swimsuit boasts a deep zipper that makes it easy to pull on and off after some fun in the sun. The UPF 50+ fabric provides medium compression and shape retention, while sewn-in cups offer sturdy support that will stay in place even in the roughest surf. We love that the Aqua Helios fabric is crafted from a recycled lycra blend that’s designed to withstand sweat, saltwater, and chlorine up to 10 times longer than traditional spandex, so you can take as many dips as you want without worrying about your suit fading.

The Details: UPF 50+ | 2XS to 2XL | Recycled nylon, Xtra Life lycra blend | Machine wash cold, hang dry

Best Hoodie

Patagonia Tropic Comfort Natural UPF Hoody

A lightweight, ultra-soft hoodie that boasts UPF 40+ protection and unique on-the-water functionality, Patagonia’s Tropic Comfort Natural UPF Hoody is a dream even in warm weather. The modal sun and spandex jersey blend is made from natural beech tree pulp, a renewable material that’s incredibly breathable and cozy. We love that it’s Fair Trade Certified™ sewn, and features extra long sleeves for additional sun protection — the thumb-holes provide extra coverage for the back of your hands. Another convenient feature is the hanging neck loop, which allows you to easily store and dry your piece after a day of boating or hanging at the beach.

The Details: UPF 40+ | XS to XL | Modal sun, spandex jersey | Machine wash and dry

Best Cover-up

Coolibar Women’s Revilla Convertible Sun Wrap

Dr. Ellis suggests always keeping a Coolibar wrap in your carry-on, as it’s an extremely versatile piece that can be worn as a scarf, a blanket to keep you cozy on the plane, and more. It’s particularly great for covering up your legs or shoulders—a travel must-have for Thailand and other places with religious sites that may require more modest clothing. The possibilities are practically endless thanks to buttons on either side that allow for an adjustable style and fit. It’s available in four summery colors and the hand-feel is super soft, as it’s crafted from the brand’s proprietary ZnO™ Fabric, a cotton and viscose blend that’s been Skin Cancer Foundation-approved.

The Details: UPF 50+ | One size | Cotton, viscose from bamboo, elastane blend | Machine wash and dry

Best Skirt

Columbia Women’s Anytime Casual Skort

While this mid-rise piece from Columbia is technically a skort, you could fool anyone into thinking it’s a going-out skirt thanks to the flattering and feminine design, which features adjustable ties at the side for a custom fit. The two front pockets are deep enough to hold your phone and other small essentials, but lay flat when empty for a sleek silhouette. The Skin Cancer Foundation-approved blend of nylon and elastane Summiteer Lite provides UPF 50+ protection, as well as two-way comfort stretch. Built-in shorts are the biggest draw, as they offer additional coverage when hiking, climbing, or simply hitting the town for a night out. Scoop it up in nine colorways, from a darling lilac to classic black.

The Details: UPF 50+ | XS to 2XL | Shell: nylon, elastane Summiteer Lite; Lining: polyester, elastane, Anytime jersey

Best Tank Top

Athleta Sunchaser UPF Tank

Designed for medium-to-high impact workouts both indoors and outdoors, this tank top skews more athletic — but is still basic enough to pass as a versatile wardrobe addition beyond the gym or studio. While the seams on the front and back may not appeal to everyone, we love how they enable more breathability in this moisture-wicking piece, which is made from recycled polyester. Its quick-drying abilities are second to none, as the material is made to wick away and dry sweat almost instantly, helping to keep you cool during a workout or while sightseeing on a hot and sunny day. UPF 50+ offers a boost of sun protection — but since your arms are exposed, you’ll want to take care to lather up your SPF as well.

The Details: UPF 50+ | 2XS to 3X | Recycled polyester, spandex | Machine wash and dry

Best Dress

Lightbare Women’s Tank Dress A-Line

Looking for the perfect travel dress? The trendy design of this swishy, A-line dress is ideal for a travel capsule wardrobe, as it’s easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion. The fitted bust — which is double-layered for extra coverage — gently flares out for a breezy, flowy fit, so you won’t feel constricted after long lunches on vacation. Two front pockets allow you to keep your phone, wallet, keys, and other small essentials at arm’s reach, while the non-pilling and anti-static fabric is easy to pack in any suitcase. This combines all of the style of an everyday dress with the coveted features of a performance piece, like moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, so you’ll stay cool in even the hottest weather.

The Details: UPF 50+ | S to 3X | Cotton, viscose from bamboo, elastane blend | Machine wash and dry

Best Pants

KUHL Freeflex Dash Pants

These slim-fitting joggers are crafted from an ultra-stretchy and soft polyester blend that is made to stand the test of time. The ultra-flexible mid-rise waistband has an internal drawstring, allowing you to adjust the fit to your preference. Ample zippered front and back pockets offer enough space to store your phone and other essential belongings within easy reach. These pants are our go-to for hiking and travel, as they’re lightweight and sweat-wicking, keeping you cool during outdoor activities and making sure you look equally stylish when you head straight into town afterwards.

The Details: UPF 50 | XS to XL | Polyester | Machine wash and dry

Best Shorts

Columbia Coral Point Iii Shorts

The versatility of these nylon and elastane shorts is nearly endless, thanks to the rainbow of 23 colors they’re available in. They’re made from an Omni-Shade fabric that’s boosted with UVA- and UVB-blocking rays that offer UPF 50 protection, thanks to a tight weave of dense yarn. The moisture-wicking shorts are designed for wear around water, and will dry quickly if dampened while fishing or boating. The stretchy waistband allows for a comfortable fit, while the shorts themselves are body-skimming throughout. Two front pockets and one zippered pocket allow for storage of your smallest possessions — just note that the pockets aren’t particularly deep and may not be able to accommodate all of your belongings.

The Details: UPF 50 | 2 to 24 | Nylon, elastane | Machine wash and dry

Best Joggers

Libin Cargo Joggers

With top-notch UPF 50+ protection and a drawstring closure that can be used to adjust the fit, these joggers are perfect for tossing in your suitcase year-round. They take up minimal space when folded and boast moisture-wicking properties that make them an excellent choice for outdoor walks or workouts, even on misty days. The lightweight fabric has just the right amount of elastic give and is super quick-drying, which is great if you can’t get to a laundromat and want to hand wash these between wears. What really stands out is the number of pockets, which makes these the ideal airport pants: two side zippered compartments to stash your wallet, passport, and boarding pass, as well as two cargo pockets with loop closures for your phone, plus one back zip pocket — pair them with a comfortable women’s travel T-shirt and you’re good to go. They’re also available in 15 fresh and fun colors, so you’re sure to find one that fits best with your wardrobe.

The Details: UPF 50+ | XS to 3X | Polyester, spandex | Machine wash and dry

Best Athleisure Wear

Outdoor Voices SolarCool 3″ Beach Short

Say goodbye to the dorky sun protective styles of yore and hello to these chic shorts, which are designed to keep you cool during medium-to-high sweat activities, from kayaking to rollerblading or biking along the boardwalk. They’re available in a milky white and cerulean blue, as well as our personal favorites — two trendy floral patterns that channel laid-back beach vibes, especially when paired with the matching SolarCool Tourist Shirt. Like all of our favorite athleisure pieces, these are lightweight, quick-drying, and easily absorb moisture, so they’re comfy to wear around water on beach days. They feature an adjustable waistband for a custom fit, two front pockets and a zippered back pocket (none of which are particularly large, but will still stash your keys and other small belongings), and a handy loop on the back for sunglasses or hang-drying.

The Details: UPF 50+ | 2XS to XL | Polyester, recycled polyester | Machine wash, hang dry

Best Workout Top

Athleta Women’s Sunchaser UPF Top

This full-coverage top is ideal for medium-to-high impact activities both indoor and out, whether you’re running, hiking, or taking a HIIT class. The breathable recycled polyester and spandex blend allows for ample airflow while in motion and is quick-drying, so you can push yourself in your workouts without worrying about overheating. This recycled top, which is made from post-consumer plastic bottles, works to rapidly wick sweat away from skin and bring it to the fabric’s surface, where it evaporates before getting trapped against your body. Crucially, it’s machine washable, so there’s no need to fuss over hand washing it after breaking a sweat.

The Details: UPF 50+ | 2XS to 3XL | Recycled polyester, spandex | Machine wash and dry

Best Bodysuit

Watskin Lola Bodysuit

Who knew sun protection could be so sexy? Watskin’s iconic bodysuit is feminine and flirty — we love the leopard print and peachy orange color options. It’s instantly recognizable thanks to a trademark chunky zipper that can be adjusted for your desired chest protection, and which makes removing the suit easier while wet. This bodysuit boasts four-way stretch for maximum comfort, plus high-cut hips and a cheeky backside for a flattering silhouette. While this is more of an investment purchase than the other options on this list, the designer quality is evident in the cut and feel of the material, which offers thoughtful protection thanks to its built-in hood and long sleeves with thumbholes (so even the backs of your hands will be covered). Watskin’s suit is a power player for light packers as it’s extremely versatile: it’s waterproof and quick drying, so it can be worn as a swimsuit as well — plus, it’s stylish enough to layer with a skirt or jeans for a going-out look.

The Details: UPF 50+ | XS to L | Nylon, spandex | Hand wash, hang dry