Why Do People Choose To Wear White Clothes In Hot Weather? Is there something I don’t know about white being so much better? Or is it just personal preference?
Let’s do the basics: a white shirt versus a black shirt.
Which one do you think would make you more comfortable when the weather is hot?
Common knowledge would say that white objects reflect light. Therefore a white shirt would reflect most of the sunlight and not accumulate the heat.
But wait, black is known to absorb heat from the sun at a faster pace than white!
If this is true, why do Bedouins who are from the desert regions of North Africa wear black in such a sweltering location?
Surely, there must be a practical reason for their persistence in wearing black. They wouldn’t stay in robes that do not make the best of the situation for them.
These black robes must benefit them in some way.
Why Do Bedouins Wear Black Robes in Hot Desserts?
In 1980, a study was published in the journal Nature explains why Bedouins choose to wear black despite living in the hot desert. Apparently, they say the key is the thickness of the clothing.
The thickness of the clothing is important. So is the fullness of the fabric provides the method for the heat to dissipate.
Another article by NPR about how clothes help you stay comfortable by keeping you cool or warm:
The outer layer of fabric will get hotter because the black color absorbs more heat. But that heat doesn’t reach your skin because of the thick fabric.
Also, remember that heat is not just something that’s coming from the sun. It’s also coming off a person’s own body. Your own warm-blooded body is a lot closer to you than the sun.
Summing it all up, black clothing works well under the sun if it is worn loosely and not clinging too tightly to your skin.
The idea is that the black clothes heat up the space between the cloth and the skin to promote an upward air current.
This air current then adds to the feeling of cooling. I am also sure there are some practical reasons the cloth was black. From black-haired animals? From dyes?
Was black easier to blend into the countryside? Traditional reasons that had nothing to do with staying warm or cool.
What’s the Best Color to Wear During Summer?
The answer to this question should, in the end, be up to the wearer.
Many articles claim that long as you keep your clothes loose, you’re probably going to feel the same temperature as the person next to you in his white attire.
When body heat comes in contact with the white clothing covering it, it will reflect right back towards the body. In an article by Gizmodo, they say that when people wear white, they tend to cook themselves.
My experience has been that either color is comfy if the fit is loose. When the garment fits tightly, unless it is really cool weather, I get uncomfortably warm quickly.
On the other hand, I think the helpfulness of black clothes depends on finding ones that have the same thickness and looseness as the typical white summery clothes. The fabric is the key to being comfortable.
The final verdict would be to go for something loose this summer. When heading out planning to be under the sun, make sure that your clothes won’t hinder you from enjoying the hot summer sun.
I do think that UPF rated clothing is a good investment to be cool and comfortable in the sun. Most events, in our part of Central Texas, are planned late evenings or at night if they are to be held outside in the summer.
Being comfortable is important and should be planned for.
Now that I know to have just loose-fitting clothing, I think I can make better decisions about what I wear.
Knowing a little something about how to make color science work for me will help.
Guys, think about the white shirts that are such standard fare for men. Most of the time buttoned up and worn with ties, they are just flat-out hot.
The main suggestion I have is for the shirt to have some texture. This should help with a loose fit. UPF clothing would have vents styled in to allow some airflow.
What is Sun Blocking Clothing / Sun Protective Clothing?
Sun protective clothing – Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org › wiki ›
Clothing is what you have with clothing specifically designed for sun protection and is produced from a fabric rated for its level of ultraviolet (UV)”
According to Wikipedia
Sun protective clothing has several names. UPF rated fabric is making a difference in how we can protect our skin while out in the sun.
As the UPF rated clothing industry matures and continues to protect you with clothing that is comfortable and fashionable, you will be able to protect yourself with clothing.
It will be important to learn a bit about what the numbers on the labels of these garments are telling you.
Ultraviolet Protection Factor, let’s start here:
What is UPF protection?
UPF or Ultraviolet Protection Factor is how the garments are graded for skin protection.
These numbers tell you how much protection from ultraviolet light is provided by a certain fabric or article of clothing.
Each sun-protective garment has a UPF rating. This rating explains just how much UV radiation can penetrate this particular fabric and reach your skin.
Where Do You Find The Rating Of UPF Garments?
It is important to read the labels of UPF garments.
When you are shopping, read the label. Does it say that there is a 30 UPF factor? Or a 50 UPF?
Like your sunscreen, a 30 UPF will protect you for a while, but if you plan an all-day in the sun day, you need a 50 UPF. Look at how you plan to wear this item. Think about your purchases.
UPF clothing is not inexpensive, but worth its cost for protecting your skin from the sun. If you give your purchases some thought, you will be very happy with your UPF clothing.
Again, the labels will advise you on how to take care of your new clothing. Protecting your skin is important, and to get better protection longer, read the labels. Launder correctly.
Just A Reminder About Why UPF Clothing Is Important
If you are in the sun for short spurts, or if your full workday is out in the sun, it is very important to protect your skin. There is clothing for hardy extreme sportspeople, and for those like me who just watch.
Whatever your outdoor activities are, summer or winter, you need to stay protected from the sun.
Sun protective or UPF protective clothing and workwear keep UV radiation from hitting your skin. This helps protect you from sunburn and the after-effects of prolonged sun exposure like premature wrinkles, sun spots, or cancer.
Your sunhat, your sunglasses. Add your sun blocking shirt.
You are taking the first steps to protect your skin. It is much easier to keep sunscreen on the parts of your body that are exposed when you have taken the time to dress protectively.
UPF Or SPF?
These are both methods of measurement of the sun’s radiation.
SPF, the measurement term used for sunscreen measures protection to the UVB rays, the ones that will sunburn your skin. It doesn’t protect you from the UVA rays.
The UVA rays are the ones that cause early aging.
Sunscreen manufacturers have realized they were incomplete and most have added the words, “Full Spectrum” as they improved their product to take care of the other damaging rays from the sun. Be aware of what you are buying.
Sami’s Take On Why Do People Choose To Wear White Clothes In Hot Weather
White clothing has not been very important to me in my wardrobe. I could never get out of the house and still remain clean. I have had friends who wore white all day and stayed spotless.
White has a long history of making us feel cool and clean when we see it. I even have white curtains and love them.
However as a practical summer garment selection, just didn’t work for me. I am sure that is apparent by now. For those of you who would like to add white to your wardrobe, it seems that it is a good color if the fabric is sun blocking.
A tightly woven, fabric that does not allow the sun to get through to your skin can protect your skin. However, it will reflect your body heat back to you, so unless it is loose-fitting, may be really warm in the summer.
The main concern is that to get the fabric to the point it is sun blocking, it is probably hot. Unless of course, it is a specially created fabric. A fabric that has the UPF finishes to allow the fabric to be soft and cool feeling, and still protect your skin.
A sun blocking fabric in a beautiful white can be a great addition to your closet. You would feel cooler and more comfortable, and look cool. There are many choices in the UPF clothing offerings.
When you find a fabric, then shop for fit. A looser fit allows airflow.
This will allow the heat to be moved from your body.
If you live in a sunny climate as I do, you will appreciate knowing that those loose-fitting items really do keep you cooler.
Will you give the UPF fabrics a chance to protect your skin from the sun?