As we head into warmer months in the UK many will be looking forward to the sunnier weather but with increased temperatures and sunlight comes an increased risk of sunburn! Whilst sun cream is an essential form of protection, your clothing also offers a great layer of defence.

Research from sustainable clothing specialists Thought has revealed hemp to be the best fabric out there when it comes to protecting against the sun’s rays with a UPF rating of 50+, beating other fabrics like flax and polyester to the top spot. In addition to this great sun protection, hemp is also a natural material with a tone of benefits for both you and the environment!

Benefits of wearing Hemp:

Hemp helps to absorb sweat from the skin, keeping you cool
Hemp fibres have antibacterial properties which can protect against odours
Hemp is less likely to cause allergic reaction than other fibres
Hemp is a stylish material that is very comfortable to wear!

Benefits for the planet:

Hemp has a very low environmental impact in terms of water and pesticide requirement
Hemp has a deep root soil system that can break up and improve contaminated soil
Hemp crops help to promote biodiversity providing a good environment for various insect species
Hemp is a faster growing crop that absorbs carbon dioxide during photosynthesis

The research pulled average data from some key studies around the protective qualities of different fabrics when it came to UPF ratings and hemp emerged as the winner, even beating synthetic fibres like polyester.

The data is interesting and strengthens the case for hemp being a good alternative to linen, as whilst it has much of the same properties the added benefits around its low impact on the environment and high UPF protection means many are looking to it as a fabric that fits perfectly within their summer wardrobe.

Hemp as a fabric has been used for clothing over thousands of years originating from China, and is coming back into fashion with average google searches around hemp increasing year on year.

Hemp appears to be one of the key fabrics for the future as we move towards a more sustainable and circular fashion economy.

If you are looking for good quality hemp clothing then Thought has got you covered with hemp fabrics available in a tonne of different colourways and patterns.