In the heat of summer, you may be tempted to strip down to just the bare essentials.
But scientists and textile stylists say keeping it covered may be better.
If you wear a tank top and shorts, you are exposing more of your skin to the sun’s intense radiation, which can increase your risk of skin cancer by making you feel cold.
But experts stress that the key to beating the heat is in the fabric, and that choosing the right material and colour of clothing is the most important thing when it comes to trying to stay cool during a summer heatwave.
Larissa Marie Shepherd, a professor who studies fibers and fabrics down to the molecular level, said: “Using nothing is not good. I don’t recommend it.”
Scientists have discovered that wearing fabrics and shapes that work with our body’s natural cooling systems (collecting sweat and removing body heat) can help us stay cool all summer long.
According to experts, wearing less clothing will not help you stay cooler. They recommend wearing loose, long-sleeved, light-colored clothing to beat the heat.
Studies of indigenous Bedouin tribes In the Middle East, participants found that their traditional flowing robes kept wearers cooler than those wearing uniforms with some skin exposed.
In general, experts say staying cool has less to do with tank tops and shorts and more to do with air circulation and moisture on your skin.
First, airflow over your skin draws heat away from your skin, like when you sit in front of a fan on a hot day and cool off. Generally, the more air a fabric lets in, the cooler you’ll feel.
Plus, the better a garment helps wick moisture away from your skin, the cooler you’ll feel. The faster the water evaporates from the fabric, the more heat it releases into the air, keeping it away from you.
Scientists say linen is the king of summer clothing because it ticks both boxes. The spaces between the woven fibers of this fabric allow air to pass through, which helps sweat evaporate from the skin more easily, keeping you cool.
In contrast, fabrics like wool, which are densely packed, trap heat.
Taking these two factors into account, experts say it is necessary Look at the garment label and find out what your item is made of.
Shepherd He told the Washington PostYou don’t want something that clings to your body. You want something that’s lightweight and gives a little bit of air.
“If I’m just going to hang out, I would probably recommend something like a loose, long-sleeved linen shirt.”
Linen is a loosely woven fabric that allows air to come into contact with your skin, which wicks away moisture and can help you feel cooler. However, some stylists like Ms. Newberger don’t recommend it because it wrinkles easily.
Natural fibers breathe better, wicking moisture away from the skin and allowing it to evaporate easily.
While stylists agree that linen is a good material for keeping you cool, they warn about one fashion mistake it entails: it wrinkles easily. So when temperatures rise, you may have to choose between staying cool and looking cute.
However, linen’s drawbacks haven’t stopped Hollywood’s most stylish celebrities from wearing the material when they step out in the summer heat.
Jennifer Lawrence, 33 years old, He was photographed last month running errands in what appears to be a white linen long-sleeved shirt and pants in New York, where temperatures reached 90 degrees.
The natural, lightweight fabric is made from flax plants and is the lightest option for summer, stylist Miranda Holder previously told DailyMail.com.
“Linen has to be the number one choice when it comes to mid-summer style,” she said.
For those looking to stay cool and crisp, stylist Heather Newberger recommends her clients opt for fabrics like lyocell and pleated, made from wood shavings and cotton, respectively.
She said these materials stay cool like linen, letting air in and absorbing heat from the skin, but they don’t wrinkle.
Once you’ve decided on the material, you need to pay close attention to the fit of your clothing.
Wearing skin-tight clothing traps heat and moisture, causing you to feel hot and sweaty. Opting for baggy pants and loose-fitting shirts will keep you cooler, as it allows more air to circulate over your skin.
Fortunately, Newberger said this is in line with current fashion trends: “We’re in a big moment where plus size is king. The trendiest styles tend to be oversized pieces.”
She recommends ‘an oversized shirt made with organic fibers and a loose-fitting pant that circulates air through you and also offers sun protection.’
Long dresses are also a great choice.
Finally, when dressing for the heat, you should take into account the color of your clothes.
Fabrics with darker pigments, such as black, grey or navy, absorb more heat than lighter-coloured garments (such as creams and pastels), which can make you feel hotter.
Plus, some colors, like red, can trick you psychologically into feeling sexier, stylist Denise Caldwell told the Washington Post.
Instead, she recommended whites, nudes or light pastels, saying that within those groups everyone should be able to find a color that flatters them without making them feel cheap.