A sun shirt is the easiest sun protection there is: you put it on in the morning and it keeps working all day, with nothing to reapply. Below are 10 everyday sun protection tops for women from JudyP, made in the USA in a fabric rated UPF 50, from long sleeve and turtleneck styles to 3/4 sleeve tops, a tunic and a dress. Each one comes with what it does best, so you can pick the right coverage for your day.

The short answer: the best sun shirt is the one you will actually wear. Look for a UPF rating on the label (UPF 50 blocks about 98% of UV), sleeves that cover your shoulders and arms, a neckline that covers the skin that burns first, and a fabric that is comfortable in the heat. For long hikes and days on the water, a light vented shirt or hoodie with a hood works well. For everyday life, a sleeved knit top does the same job and looks like a normal part of your wardrobe.

Juliet jewel neckLong sleeve jewel neck. Full arm coverage.Sabrina boatneckBoatneck, 3/4 sleeve. Office to patio.Jackie turtleneckTurtleneck covers the neck too.Deborah V-neckA soft neutral V-neck, 3/4 sleeve.

How to choose a sun protection shirt

• Check the rating. UPF tells you how much UV gets through the fabric. UPF 50 lets through about 1/50 of it.
• Cover the right places. Long or 3/4 sleeves and a higher neckline protect the shoulders, arms and chest. A hood or collar helps on the water.
• Match the shirt to the day. Ultralight, vented shirts suit hot hikes and fishing. Smooth knits suit errands, lunch outside and the office.
• Think about care. A shirt you can machine wash and wear without ironing gets worn far more often.
• Fit for comfort. Skimming, not tight, so air moves and nothing rides up.

Every JudyP top below is made in the USA in a microfiber and spandex knit that our fabric supplier rates UPF 50. The knit is also moisture-wicking and wrinkle-resistant, machine washes and needs no ironing. Sizes run XS to XL. These are everyday tops, not vented hiking shirts, so they are at their best for walks, errands, travel, outdoor lunches and the office.

Long sleeve sun shirts

1. Juliet Jewel Neck Long Sleeve Top

If you want a sun shirt that looks like a good top rather than outdoor gear, start here. The Juliet is a long sleeve jewel neck knit that covers your arms and shoulders and goes straight from a morning walk to the office or lunch on a patio. It is smooth and polished enough to wear under a blazer or with jeans.

Best for: full arm coverage on everyday outings. See all long sleeve tops.

2. Jackie Turtleneck Long Sleeve Top

The most coverage in the line: long sleeves plus a turtleneck that covers the back and sides of the neck, the skin that often burns first. Wear it alone with trousers or under a light jacket.

Best for: maximum coverage on cooler sunny days and high-altitude trips.

3/4 sleeve sun shirts

3. Deborah 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Top

A fitted V-neck with 3/4 sleeves that covers the shoulders and most of the arm and feels cooler than a full sleeve on a warm day. It works under a blazer for work and with shorts or jeans on the weekend.

Best for: warm days when you want coverage without full sleeves. See all V-neck tops.

4. Karen Relaxed Fit 3/4 Sleeve V-Neck Top

The relaxed version of the Deborah, with a body that skims rather than clings, so air moves on hot afternoons. The roominess is intentional, so order your usual size.

Best for: sightseeing, gardening and long days outside.

5. Sabrina Boatneck 3/4 Sleeve Top

A classic boatneck with bracelet-length sleeves that covers the shoulders and arms and looks polished from the office to a patio dinner.

Best for: outdoor lunches and walking tours. See all 3/4 sleeve tops.

6. Pamela Scoop Neck 3/4 Sleeve Double Layer Top

A scoop neck with 3/4 sleeves and a double layer of fabric, so it stays smooth and non-sheer. A softer neckline than the V-necks, with the same arm coverage.

Best for: casual days and weekend errands.

7. Rachel V-Neck 3/4 Sleeve Ruched Bottom Top

A 3/4 sleeve V-neck with a ruched hem that adds shape at the waist, a little dressier than a plain knit top.

Best for: outdoor events and dinners on the patio.

Karen relaxed V-neckRelaxed fit, 3/4 sleeves.Deborah V-neckA soft V-neck with 3/4 sleeves.Sandra tunicTunic length covers the hips.

Tunics, dresses and short sleeves

8. Sandra V-Neck 3/4 Sleeve Tunic

A longer V-neck with 3/4 sleeves that covers the hips as well as the arms. Wear it over slim pants or leggings for a travel day in the sun.

Best for: travel days and long drives. See all tunics.

9. Emily V-Neck 3/4 Sleeve Pocket Dress

A V-neck dress with 3/4 sleeves and pockets, so your arms are covered in the same fabric as our tops. Add sandals and a hat for a day of exploring.

Best for: summer vacations and outdoor gatherings.

10. Cathy Short Sleeve Jewel Neck Top

For the hottest days, a short sleeve top with a jewel neckline covers your shoulders and upper arms and keeps the chest covered. Use sunscreen on your forearms.

Best for: hot days when long sleeves feel like too much. See all short sleeve tops.

From The JudyP Collective

The JudyP Collective is a small group of brands we carry alongside our own tops. For sunny days, we pair the tops above with:

• Buki Resort Vee Long Sleeve Popover Shirt ($158). A relaxed long sleeve popover in a soft, machine-washable tech fabric, for an easy layer over a tank.
• Lola y Tula Carmen Basket Bag ($120). Room for sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• Bottomless Co. Marbella Huarache Slip-On ($85). A woven slip-on for warm-weather walking.

Final Takeaways

A good sun shirt protects you every time you wear it, so the best one is the one you reach for. Pick the coverage for the day (long sleeves or a turtleneck for the most protection, 3/4 sleeves when it is warm), a cut that is comfortable in motion, and a fabric that is easy to care for. Then add a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the skin your shirt does not cover.

For everyday sun protection that looks like the rest of your wardrobe, start with our UPF 50 sun protection tops: made in the USA, machine washable, sizes XS to XL.

More sun protection guides: UPF clothing for women · Sun protection clothing for women · Vacation outfits · Summer travel outfits

Sun shirt questions, answered

What is a sun shirt?

A sun shirt is a shirt made from fabric rated for how much ultraviolet light it lets through, shown as a UPF number. It protects the skin it covers all day, with nothing to reapply.

What is the best sun shirt for women?

It depends on the day. For hiking, fishing or the beach, a light, vented technical shirt or hoodie with a hood or collar. For everyday life, a sleeved knit top with a UPF rating, such as the JudyP Juliet long sleeve top, covers your arms and still looks polished.

Do sun protection shirts really work?

Yes, a rated fabric keeps protecting as long as you wear it. It only covers the skin under it, so use a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen on your face, neck and hands.

What does UPF 50 mean on a shirt?

UPF 50 means the fabric lets through about 1/50 of the UV that reaches it, so it blocks roughly 98% of UVA and UVB.

Are long sleeves better for sun protection?

Long sleeves cover more skin, so they protect more. A 3/4 sleeve covers the shoulders and most of the arm and can feel cooler on a warm day.

Are JudyP tops UPF 50?

JudyP tops are made in the USA in a microfiber and spandex knit that our fabric supplier rates UPF 50. They are machine washable, need no ironing and come in sizes XS to XL.