It always starts the same: a ray of sunshine points, we finally take out our favorite black dress or this dark t-shirt that falls so well. An hour later, sweat flows, the skin burns, and the desire for a fogger becomes obsessive. But why does this textile torture come back every summer?
How the color of the clothes influences body temperature
It is not just an impression: if you are warmer in black, it is because your garment literally becomes a mini solar oven. When a white t-shirt reflects up to 85 % of the light, its black equivalent can absorb it up to 90 %. Result: the temperature of the fabric soar.
But this is not the only factor. THE Type of fabricthere air trafficand even the clothing cut play a role. A large black and breathable linen t-shirt can paradoxically be more pleasant than a white tank top in tight polyester. The effect is therefore multifactorial, but The color remains the first trigger of the furnace effect.
Another little -known point: visible light is not the only one to heat. The infrared rays, invisible to the naked eye, are also massively absorbed by dark tissues. This is why, even without direct sun, you can feel a feeling of quick cooking if you are dressed in black in the street, bitumen at 50 ° C under the feet.
Why do the Tuaregs dress in black in the desert?
It is the favorite argument of those who refuse to abandon their Dark style Even by 35 degrees. And it is true that in certain cultures, as with the Tuaregs of the Sahara, the outfits are black, long, and covering. But the comparison stops there.
These black clothes are generally wide, in thick cotton, and worn over several layers which create an internal ventilation effect. The sun heats the exterior of the fabric, but the air circulates inside and isolates the body. It is a complete thermal system, not a simple question of color.
With us, in black adjusted t-shirt on bare skin, The effect is exactly opposite : We capture the heat without dissipating it. Morality: unless you transform your dressing room into a Saharan tent, it is better to store your black clothes on heat waves.
What clothes to wear to be less hot?
When the thermometer panics, everything is not played on color, but it remains an easy and immediate lever. Here are the best options to let your body breathe:
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Light colors : white, beige, pale yellow, pastel
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Natural fabrics : linen, light cotton, hemp
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Ample cuts : to let the air circulate
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Anti-challer accessories : hats, glasses, light long sleeves
Obviously, if your look prohibits you from wearing broken white or water green, the trick remains to avoid the direct sun, and to favor the shadow, especially between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Photo credit: @maanuness
