Dark or light-colored clothes, which is the best cooling solution in the summer?

Is light-colored clothes really effective in avoiding heat during hot sunny days?

Summer fashion selection is important in protecting skin from UV damage. We are all told that light colored clothes have better sun protection. However, this is only partially true. Indeed light colored clothes give us a cool feeling under the intense sunshine of the summer. But when in the right conditions, dark colored clothes are a better choice.

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Dark and light-colored clothes, which are good thermal solutions for summer? (Photo: Fashion Jackson, Style Du Monde)

WHAT IS THE COLOR?

To understand this, we first need to understand what color is. According to science, the color of a ray of light is the color feeling that the ray of light causes in the human eye. The colors of objects are the colors of light emitted from them. The key point here is how clothing absorbs and emits light, because light energy can be converted into heat energy. In other words, the more energy we absorb, the more heat will be generated.

The darker the object, the more light waves it absorbs. In contrast, when sunlight shines on objects with light colors, the wavelength will radiate as much.

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(Photo: Unsplash)

MAXIMUM CLOTHES MAY BROUGHT A COOL FEELING MORE THAN THOSE THINKERS

If we wear a white shirt to go out in the summer, the sunlight shining on the shirt will be reflected in the environment, but only partially reflected. That means that part of the light is still absorbed into the body, because light-colored objects absorb less quantum light than dark-colored objects. Most importantly, light-colored clothes not only block heat from the outside but also prevent body heat from escaping. Therefore, white T-shirts will still make us hot if we stay in the sun for too long.

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(Photo: Unsplash)

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Light-colored clothes still make us hot and uncomfortable if we stay in the sun for too long. (Photo: Bittersweet Colors)

In contrast, dark colored clothes absorb better body temperature, thus creating a cooler feeling. In particular, if the weather is light wind or when you travel by motorcycle, the heat from the clothing layer will be released to the air more easily.

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And dark colored clothes can actually bring a cool, more comfortable feeling than many people think. (Photo: Unsplash)

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(Photo: Thought Catalog)

Another point that makes dark clothes a safe choice for summer fashion is ultraviolet (UV) protection, preventing skin cancer. The darker the color, the better our skin will be protected from the sun, thanks  to the  high UPF index. In contrast, the brighter the color, the less protection is.

In addition to color, the style, material, thickness of clothing and accessories are also important in preventing heat and sun protection. Therefore, choose the appropriate summer fashion to protect the skin, and get maximum comfort in the hot sun to the extreme. However, even if the color map is light or dark, you should still choose spacious and airy designs so that the heat is easily released to the outside, not creating a feeling of mystery and discomfort.

 elle.vn