☀️ Sun Protection | Why We Created the Women’s Fishing Dress

Sun protection facts worth knowing

Cancer Council Australia explains that sun damage is caused by ultraviolet radiation, not temperature. That means cloudy, windy and cooler days can still be high-risk days for your skin, especially in northern Australia where UV levels can climb quickly.

Before you head out, check the daily UV index and sun protection times through the Cancer Council UV Index guidance, the Bureau of Meteorology or the SunSmart app. If UV is 3 or above, Cancer Council recommends using sun protection.

• Cloud can be sneaky: UV can still reach your skin through cloud cover, and glare from water, sand and concrete can add to exposure.
• Sunscreen still matters: use SPF50 or SPF50+ sunscreen on exposed skin and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
• Clothing gives reliable coverage: sun-protective clothing helps cover the areas sunscreen can miss, rub off from, or be forgotten on entirely.

Why UPF50+ clothing helps outdoors

Good sun protection is a system: clothing, sunscreen, shade, sunglasses and a wide-brim hat all work together. But for women who spend long days outside, clothing is one of the easiest layers to get right because it protects while you move.

For the practical follow-up, read our guide to whether you need sunscreen when wearing clothes.

Northern Tide’s ARPANSA Certified UPF50+ styles are designed to block 98% of harmful UV rays through the fabric. The protection is built into the weave, not treated like a quick afterthought. That was the starting point for Australia’s Original Fishing Dress™: a more comfortable, flattering option for women who wanted serious sun coverage without feeling boxed into traditional fishing gear.

As a female-owned Australian business with Northern Territory roots and 20,000+ dresses sold, Northern Tide designs for real outdoor days: heat, glare, wind, salt, movement and all the practical little moments that happen between leaving home and getting back again.

Made for fishing, boating, beach days and everyday outdoor life

Fishing is where the story began, and it will always be the hero. But sun exposure does not stop at the boat ramp. It happens while you are packing the car, watching kids sport, walking between the campsite and the creek, sitting at an outdoor event, gardening, travelling, or spending a full day at the beach.

That is why Northern Tide designs women’s fishing and outdoor clothing that can move between the niche and the real world. A women’s fishing dress can work for the boat, beach and beyond. A fishing shirt dress gives a relaxed button-through option for travel and weekends. A women’s fishing shirt gives classic coverage when you want to pair it with shorts, leggings or pants.

• Fishing and boating: long sleeves, collar coverage and breathable fabric help protect you through glare, spray and long hours on the water.
• Beach days and travel: easy throw-on coverage makes it simple to move from the car to the sand, the resort, the caravan park or the cafe after.
• Camping, gardening and everyday outdoor life: practical coverage helps you stay comfortable when you are outside longer than planned.

How to choose sun-safe outdoor clothing

When you are choosing what to wear outdoors, look for pieces that make protection easy enough that you will actually wear them. The best outfit is the one that feels good, fits properly and works with the way you spend your day.

• Choose UPF50+ fabric from a trusted source.
• Look for coverage across the shoulders, chest, back and arms.
• Prioritise breathable, quick-drying fabric for heat and humidity.
• Check the fit so you can move, sit, cast, drive and bend comfortably.
• Use sunscreen, shade, sunglasses and a hat alongside your clothing.

If you are unsure which style or length will suit you best, start with the Fishing Dress Fit Consultation or check the women’s sizing guide. A better fit usually means better comfort, and better comfort means you are more likely to reach for it again.

Sun protection FAQ

What does UPF50+ mean in clothing?

UPF50+ means the fabric blocks at least 98% of UV radiation. It is a clothing-based rating, separate from SPF sunscreen ratings, and it helps show how much UV can pass through the fabric to your skin.

Is UPF50+ clothing better than sunscreen?

It is not either-or. UPF50+ clothing is excellent for covered areas because it does not need to be reapplied, but sunscreen is still needed on exposed skin such as your face, hands, legs and feet.

Do I still need sunscreen with a UPF50+ fishing dress?

Yes. A UPF50+ fishing dress helps cover your shoulders, arms and body, but sunscreen is still important anywhere the fabric does not cover. Think of it as layered protection: dress, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and shade.

Can I wear a fishing dress for boating, beach days or travel?

Absolutely. Northern Tide’s fishing dress was created for fishing, but it is also made for Australian outdoor life: boating, beach days, camping, travel, gardening, kids sport, school runs and relaxed weekends outside.

Is Northern Tide’s fishing dress ARPANSA Certified UPF50+?

Yes. Northern Tide’s UPF50+ styles are ARPANSA Certified, giving customers confidence that the fabric has been independently tested for sun-protective performance.

Ready to make sun protection easier?

Shop the Fishing Dress range or read our practical guide on what to wear fishing in Australia.