Clothings To Keep Cool in A Heatwave

When temperatures soar, your clothing choice isn't just about comfort—it's a critical tool for staying cool and even saving energy. Researchers have found that wearing the right clothes can help you adjust the AC by a few degrees, leading to significant energy savings and reduced emissions. This guide, inspired by insights from a BBC Future article, unpacks the science behind dressing for true heat relief. It's more nuanced than you might think!

Colour & Design: The White T-Shirt Myth

Many people reach for white in the summer, believing it reflects the sun's rays better than darker colors. While true for external heat, our bodies also generate heat. White fabric can reflect our own body heat at us.

Consider the Bedouins, who thrive in the desert wearing black, loose-fitting robes. A 1980 study found that their heat exposure was the same whether they wore black or white. The secret? Black fabric is a better radiator of heat from the body.  You will also feel much cooler in loose black clothing, which creates a "chimney effect," heating the air between fabric and skin, promoting an upward air current that cools. If you, however, prefer tighter clothes, then white is a better choice. Fabrics with texture, such as seersucker or pique, also help lift the material away from your skin.

Material Matters

"Your choice of fabric is crucial," says stylist Heather Newberger. Lightweight woven fabrics, such as cotton and silk, are excellent because they hang loosely. This is especially important in humid heat, where sweat struggles to evaporate. In dry heat, wicking fabrics alone may suffice, but humidity requires materials that allow water vapor to pass through.

While uncoated cotton, linen, nylon, and polyester are all considered breathable to some degree, there are distinctions:

• Cotton & Linen: Highly breathable (linen, particularly, due to its large fibers), but they absorb moisture and are slow to dry, which can feel uncomfortable when you're sweating heavily.
• Merino Wool: A surprising contender, it's breathable and wicks moisture effectively without retaining odour.
• Nylon & Polyester (Activewear): Excellent for wicking moisture and quick drying, making them popular in activewear. However, they can retain odour, and some synthetics might feel less comfortable when wet. Nylon generally wicks better but dries slower than polyester.

The Future of Cool Clothing

Scientists are innovating with "smart fabrics" designed for extreme cooling. These include:

• Ultra-thin fibers: MIT researchers found that making nylon and polyester fibers thinner (around one micrometer) helps radiate body heat more effectively.
• Adaptive materials: Some new synthetic fibres change their structure in response to heat, expanding to allow more heat to radiate out.
• Phase-change materials: Incorporate substances that melt as they warm up, absorbing excess heat from the body.

In a heatwave, choosing an outfit goes beyond simply selecting a colour. Prioritize loose-fitting, breathable fabrics and consider materials that dry quickly, especially in humid conditions. And when all else fails, and if appropriate, a splash of water on your clothes can offer instant relief!