Why Did Uniqlo Create a "Neck-Protecting" Cap? The "UV Protection Shade Cap" Offers Sun Protection That Blends Into Your Daily Life

With growing awareness around the need for sun protection, Uniqlo has launched its first-ever cap with a shade: the UV Protection Shade Cap. What customer needs inspired this bold design that covers all the way down to the neck? We asked Asuka Nakao of Uniqlo Co., Ltd.'s Merchandising Department about the story behind its development.

The First Shade Cap, Created to Meet the Growing Demand for Sun Protection

In recent years, as awareness of sun protection has increased, what people expect from their apparel has also changed. Following this trend, Uniqlo launched its first-ever face guard last year.

"The product was a huge success, which reaffirmed our belief that many customers want their clothing to provide UV protection."

Next, Uniqlo turned its attention to caps. Many of the company's caps are designed as unisex.

"While being unisex is a benefit, we recognized a need for a cap that could provide more comprehensive sun coverage, especially since many of our female customers are highly concerned about UV protection. After we launched the face guard, we also heard from many people who wanted thorough UV protection not just for their face, but for their neck as well.

A standard cap leaves the back of the neck exposed to the sun from behind, so we set out to create a cap that could properly cover that area—a feature we thought our female customers would particularly appreciate."

And so, the "UV Protection Shade Cap" was created. Featuring a shade that covers the neck, it was designed to offer 360-degree sun protection.

"We made several prototypes to test how much coverage they offered when wearing a T-shirt. We found that when the snaps were fastened, the back of the shade could ride up, potentially exposing skin. On the other hand, if we made it too long, it felt bulky when left unfastened. It was a challenge to find the right balance of length and shape to provide solid UV protection without being cumbersome."

While the material is a lightweight fabric designed for mid-summer wear, it offers UPF 50+ UV protection and is firm enough to maintain the cap's clean shape. In addition, the surface of the fabric features a water-repellent finish.

"During consumer testing, we got feedback that the material felt sticky with sweat, so we chose a smooth fabric that doesn't cling to the skin. And while it's designed for everyday wear, we expect many people will use it for sports, given its cap style.

That’s why we added a water-repellent finish to handle light rain. To make sure it can be used all year round and not just in the height of summer, we designed the shade to be easily detachable with snap buttons."

Prioritizing Everyday Style as Much as Functionality

One common dilemma with sun protection gear is the feeling of, "I want to use it, but I'm worried about how it looks." That's why the company focused not only on functionality but also on a design that blends seamlessly into daily life. Indeed, many users are already wearing it for running, walks, and travel.

This versatility is reflected in the design details. One example is the brim, which is 1 cm longer than those on Uniqlo's other caps.

"Everyone's head shape is different, so we created several samples and had various employees try them on to determine the perfect brim design."

The cap includes an internal adjuster to customize the size and fit. And while it was designed with women as the primary audience, it's also suitable for men. In fact, men make up about 20% of its customers.

"We believe that UV protection is becoming a must-have for everyone. Furthermore, we anticipate that demand for UV protection gear will grow even in Western countries, where protecting yourself from UV rays with clothing isn't yet standard practice. As a global company, our goal is to offer UV protection items to a wide audience through a variety of approaches."

The UV Protection Shade Cap was designed not only to shield your skin from UV rays but also to blend seamlessly into your everyday style. The inspiration behind the design, which provides thorough coverage down to the neck, stemmed from Uniqlo's commitment to delivering more practical and accessible UV protection.