I’m on record talking about my dislike of wearing greasy, gloopy lotion sunscreen, but with the evergreen importance of sun protection, I’ve started to get curious about other ways to block out harsh UV rays. That includes UPF clothing (UPF as in “ultraviolet protection factor”), which can keep you covered, cool and protected. Even then, the thought of wearing tight, long sleeves in the summer doesn’t exactly thrill me, since I get easily overheated. So my curiosity was piqued when my colleague, HuffPost senior audience editor Gina Escandon, told me about the wonders of UPF sun shawls.“My mom HATES wearing sunscreen, even though she knows it’s the best way to protect her skin. She just can’t handle the sticky feeling of SPF,” Escandon said (I can relate). “I recently got her this sun shawl from Solbari, and it’s totally changed the game. She gets the sun coverage she needs, and I feel way better knowing her skin is safe.”Solbari is an Australian brand better known for their sun hats for both men and women. This shawl, like much of the brand’s offerings, has a UPF rating of 50+, earning it a Seal of Recommendation from the Skin Cancer Foundation.The shawl is made with a breathable cotton-bamboo blend that’s lightweight and anti-odor, so you can wear it all day in the hot sun. It’s 63 by 25 inches, and the fabric has some stretch to it as well. You can get it in six different colors, though you might find it easiest (and right now, cheapest) to buy directly from Solbari’s website — not all the colors are available at Amazon, and each color has a different Amazon product page (black, light gray and oatmeal, for example).″[My mom] also has a theory that the wrap actually keeps her cooler when she wears it, because it’s super breathable when you have it on!” Escandon continued. “And the best part about the shawl is how versatile it is — my mom can drape it over her legs at a sports game or wear it like a scarf to cover her neck.”Gina Escandon/HuffPostEscandon, right, wore the sun shawl on a trip to Disney World.Speaking of, the shawl comes with press studs so that you can style it in multiple different ways. Drape it over your shoulders as a traditional shawl or loose cardigan or, fasten the studs to turn it into a wrap, or even wear it as a scarf if you just want your neck covered. You can also use it as a blanket, or as a hood to protect your head.Escandon has tested out the shawl for herself, too, and can vouch for its protective abilities. “I borrowed the shawl for a weeklong trip to Disney World last year and wore it nearly 10 hours a day in the parks,” she said. “I didn’t get a sunburn once the entire week!”Reviewers similarly point out the usefulness of the shawl for travel, mentioning that it folds down small enough to fit in a bag. People have found all kinds of situations on the go for using the shawl, too. “I use this in my car while driving around for work, it protects my skin and I’m not sticky from sunscreen,” one reviewer said. “The size is generous and I like that I can style it in different ways during our hot, humid, and muggy summer days in the South.” Another wrote, “The softness of the fabric feels great and feels cool to the touch. A perfect sun shield during the day, a great wrap in the evening and it even doubles as a travel blanket in an airplane! A perfect travel accessory.”If you’ve been curious about UPF clothing and want something with a little more versatility than a standard shirt or sweatshirt, the sun shawl offers a way to protect yourself that’s both effortless and effective. Get one for yourself at the links below, or keep reading for some more promising reviews by people who own it.“Love this! It’s nice and lightweight which is good when it’s warm. I love how versatile the shawl is. I needed something to be able to layer when i’m at home and the windows are open, especially before sunscreen is effective. This is versatile enough I can use it for other times too” — Alyssa T.“I bought these to replace previous travel garments that I had lost and these seem even better. Generously cut they will be great for hot weather travel and visiting temples and churches where one needs to cover shoulders, arms and/or head. Easy neutral colour to wear and lovely material – the bamboo feels much nicer than previous man-made travel wear. The shawl has handy fasteners to keep it in place.” — Georgina E.“This is my second one, it’s perfect to protect from the sun, and the perfect weight. It kept me super cool while spending Summer in Europe and Hawaii 😍 I got it in Beige, it goes with everything!” — Marie L.“As someone who suffers from Photodermatitus it’s crucial that I am fully protected from the sun, and not just my face which I purchased the Solbari extra wide brim hats, they are brilliant. This sun shawl allows me to wear sleeveless clothes and not worry about being exposed or getting overheated. These are buttery soft and ever so practical. I recommended this to anyone who wants to be sun safe without having to compromise on multiple layers of uncomfortable clothing. In my opinion it’s the best thing by far and a game changer. Wish it came in other colours too” — Collette T.“As someone with cutaneous lupus I am ultra careful about avoiding any sun exposure. Sometimes, however you want to be protected in both a practical and stylish way. This shawl is perfect for that. It looks and feels beautiful, is lightweight, folds very small but gives me the F50 protection I need. I have added it to my collection of solbari products which includes various hats and the sun shade umbrella. I’m off to Egypt soon confident that I am equipped to keep my skin safe.” — Jo D.Check out this other highly-rated UPF clothing for even more sun protection, from a list curated by the HuffPost Shopping team:AnthropologieA wide-brimmed cotton hat with UPFRating: 4.6 stars of 5 starsEveryone needs a really great sun hat that is just as cute as it is functional. This Terrain hat at Anthropologie has a packable construction and is made from light, breathable cotton fabric with UPF 50 sun protection and an inner drawstring to customize a perfect fit. It's available in six colors.Promising reviews: "Good sun coverage. This hat has a wide enough brim to provide full face and neck sun coverage. The cream color is pretty. Seems high quality!" — Sara Beth"Love the material - pretty durable and stiff so it provides good shade. It’s a little on the smaller side and not adjustable." — SeattleZeusAmazonA short-sleeve swim tee for menRating: 4.6 out of 5 starsThis slim-fit swim T-shirt makes it easy to keep your skin safe from the sun while at the beach, pool, on hikes, while camping and more. It has rustic exposed seams that look cool while also helping to minimize irritation. The shirt is available in 13 colors in sizes XS-XXL. Everyone needs one of these in their swim pile. Promising reviews: "It dries quickly. The material is very soft and comfort. It fits perfectly. It's protects from sun rays." — SMS"Best swim srhit ever. I will recommend this 100%, it is so comfortable to wear and it is so soft as well, dries pretty quickly. I have 3 of them already including the long sleeve one. I will recommend going one more size of your regular one (at least that’s my case, I purchased regular size, had to return it and purchase a bigger size)" — SamuelSColumbiaA stylish printed dressRating: 4.6 out of 5 stars This sweet sun dress is perfect for all your upcoming summertime activities. Not only will it help keep you cool and comfy thanks to a moisture-wicking, cooling and stretchy fabric, but the UPF 50 rating will protect your skin from the sun. That way, you can enjoy yourself without worrying about potential sun damage. It's available in a bunch of colors and patterns in standard and plus silhouettes in sizes XS-3X.Promising reviews: "I like this dress so much that I have several now. I started with the print ones and now have a few solid colors. Fits great, has pockets, and the length is good for work when paired with a cardigan." — 10ToesInSC"Nice addition to your spring and summer wear. Highly recommend this dress. You can dress it up or wear it casual to a spring or summer evening out." — DP