When it’s hot, wearing the right clothes is essential. A shirt can help absorb sweat, a hat can protect your face from the sun, and certain colors can even keep you cool. To build the best summer wardrobe for our health, we look to science for answers.
Choose the right colors
White is the favorite color of summer – but is there a reason to wear it other than for fashion? While there has been some debate about whether different colors will actually keep you cooler or not, a 2023 Study from the National Institute of Environmental Studies found that there are good reasons to consider the color you wear on hot days.
The researchers set up a thermal imaging camera to record how warm polo shirts in various colors were when exposed to heat. They found that certain colors remained cooler than others: white, yellow, gray, red and purple shirts remained the coolest, while black, blue, light green and dark green shirts absorbed the most heat.
If you want to stay absolutely cool in extreme heat, opt for one of these refreshing colors—and save your black tops for fall.
Airflow is crucial
First, a history lesson: For a long time, researchers were confused about why the Bedouins – the indigenous people of the Negev desert – wore black robes despite the sweltering heat. After all, one would assume that if black clothes absorbed more heat, the Bedouins (who were very good at surviving in hot weather) would be keeping themselves warmer than necessary.
In reality, the color of his clothes had very little impact, a 1980 study found. This is because the clothes were all loose and allowed air circulation, creating a current that helps cool the body. (It’s also important to note that although black robes absorbed more heat than lighter colors, this heat did not reach the body due to the thickness of the fabric, and only the top layer of the robes absorbed the heat.)
So what does this mean for your summer wardrobe? Essentially, it’s proof that loose clothing is important for staying cool in the heat.
The reason is simple: sweat helps cool our body through the evaporation process. When sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin, it carries heat with it, which lowers the body’s temperature. For sweat to evaporate, we need air to move over our skin – and wearing loose clothing allows this to happen. Ideally, use breathable materials such as cotton and linen, which will increase airflow rather than retain heat.
Look for clothing that wicks moisture during your workout
Exercising when it’s hot? Look for moisture-wicking clothing designed for working out. Although clothing items like leggings and sports bras are tighter to the body, the specific mix of materials they are made from is designed to draw sweat away from the skin and aids in evaporation, so you stay dry and comfortable.
When it’s really hot, it’s still ideal to look for looser-fitting workout clothes that allow for airflow whenever possible – especially since materials like polyester can also retain odor and heat.
Avoid sun exposure
Long sleeves and pants may seem counterintuitive for hot weather, but protecting your skin from the sun is important, too. dermatologist Dr. tells Yahoo Life.
“I generally recommend covering more of the body rather than exposing more skin,” she says.
Loose clothes made from breathable materials like linen are the best, says Kopelman, as they allow air to circulate and keep you cooler.
If you want to up your game, invest in UV-protective clothing, says Kopelman. These clothes are designed to block a significant amount of UV radiation, which Kopelman says provides an “additional layer of defense against skin cancer and premature aging.”
“Even on cloudy days, UV rays can penetrate through clouds, so wearing UV-protective clothing ensures consistent protection,” she notes. “It’s a great way to keep your skin safe while enjoying the outdoors.”
To see how much your clothing protects from the sun, look for the “UPF” rating, which is listed on the label. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor and indicates how effectively clothing items and fabrics protect against UV radiation and the sun (similar to the SPF rating on sunscreen). A higher UPF rating indicates greater protection against UV rays.
On days when you want to wear a tank top and shorts, Kopelman recommends being careful with sunscreen on exposed areas.
Don’t forget a hat and sunglasses
One place that’s often difficult to apply sunscreen to (assuming you don’t have a bald head) is your scalp. While you should try to put sunscreen on the most exposed parts of your scalp (like, say, where your hair parts), a hat can help protect your head from the sun — and a wide brim can provide additional shade for the rest of your head. face .
“I always recommend wearing a hat over a visor for better sun protection,” says Kopelman. “A hat with a wide brim can protect your face, ears and neck from direct sunlight, reducing the risk of sunburn and long-term skin damage.” She adds that you should opt for breathable materials, like cotton or straw hats, and that you can even look for hats made from UV-protective material.
Sunglasses are also important to wear, especially (but not exclusively!) on sunny days. Just as UV rays can lead to skin cancer over time, they can also affect your eyes, leading to conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, and corneal damage. They will also protect the thin skin around the eyes.
When looking for protective sunglasses, look for labels that say “UV protection” or “100% UV protection.” This means they block both UVA (longer wavelength) and UVB (shorter wavelength) rays. Larger sunglasses (think Olsen twins in their early years) also provide better protection by blocking more sunlight from reaching your eyes.
Which items of clothing should I skip?
Jeans may look cool, but they won’t keep you cool. Jeans are not breathable enough to allow sweat to evaporate. Additionally, denim tends to be made in dark colors and is heavier than other pants materials.
Another (probably pretty obvious) choice is leather, which is not breathable, making you feel hotter and sweatier as it stops sweat from going anywhere. (Remember Ross Gellar’s fight with leather pants?)
Surprisingly, you might also want to skip the cotton socks. Cotton is breathable, but as it absorbs sweat – which has nowhere to evaporate in shoes – wearing cotton socks in the summer usually means walking with damp feet. Unfortunately, all that accumulated sweat can cause unpleasant odors and, potentially, fungus.
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