In many ways, Anne Hathaway is just like us. She’s enjoying the final days of summer in snorkeling in Italy (Sardinia, to be specific) before the back-to-school rush hits us all. But in many ways, her vacation is also totally celeb-coded: that humble boat she’s hanging off of? Valentino cofounder Giancarlo Giammetti’s mega yacht. And instead of going full-on bikini to memorialize the end of summer, The Devil Wears Prada actor opted for something that was both more modest and flamboyant than any old two-piece—a tie-dyed UPF clothing set.
“Much like SPF can be an ingredient in a lotion or cream that protects against harmful UV rays, UPF is a weave or type of fabric that does the same thing,” says Mona A. Gohara, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine.
It should be noted that every piece of clothing, including a teeny bikini, technically helps shield the skin beneath it from the sun, though not all fabric is created equal. “Lighter colors and thinner fabrics are the least protective,” Dr. Gohara says as a rule of thumb. “Something like a standard white T-shirt is very porous, so it provides very little protection from the sun, typically an equivalent to an UPF of 3. Vibrant, bold colors are more protective.”
Though Hathaway’s approach (Vibrant and bold? Check. Neck to toes? Check.) may appear a bit extreme to some, those with skin cancer in their families should at minimum consider investing in a UPF top to wear during prolonged sun exposure. “The most common place for melanoma on men is the trunk,” Dr. Gohara says. “This is also a common place for skin cancer in general amongst both genders. Skin cancer can happen from head to toe though, and whatever is not covered with UPF clothing should be covered with SPF!”