The myth that light colours are always the coolest in summer
Short answer: Light colours reflect more sunlight than dark ones, but fabric, weave, fit and airflow often matter more for how warm you feel. Colour is only part of the picture.
What colour does
Dark colours absorb more of the sun's energy and feel warmer to the touch after lying in the sun. Light colours reflect more of the light back. That is why white clothing has become linked with summer and hot countries. In direct sun with no wind, a light colour can therefore feel a little cooler. But the difference is smaller than many people think, and other factors can matter a great deal more on an ordinary summer day.
The body's own heat
The body produces its own heat, and that heat has to escape. It leaves most easily when air can flow between the skin and the clothes and when sweat can evaporate. A loose garment leaves room for air, while close fitting clothes hold the heat in. In the shade and indoors, colour plays almost no part. Here it is the fabric and the cut that decide whether you feel comfortable through the day.
Fabric counts most
A light, airy fabric that absorbs moisture and lets it evaporate feels cooler than a dense fabric, whatever the colour. Linen, cotton and viscose, including viscose from bamboo, are good choices for hot days. Dense synthetics can feel warm and clammy even in white. Many people notice the difference after a short walk. A thin base layer can also take up sweat before it reaches your shirt or dress. See bamboo undershirt for women.
See through fabric and UV
Light, thin fabrics let more light pass through. That can be a problem, both because the clothes become see through and because UV radiation reaches the skin. A dark or tightly woven fabric often protects better against the sun than a thin white one. If you are out in the sun for a long time, cover your skin and use sun cream on the bare areas. Choose a fabric dense enough to give shade but light enough to let air through.
Feet get hot too
In summer, feet quickly get hot and damp in closed shoes. Thin socks that absorb moisture are more comfortable than going without, when sweat collects in the shoe. Change socks more often on hot days and let shoes dry out between wears. See bamboo socks for women. It is also a simple way to avoid smelly shoes when the weather is warm for weeks on end.
Choose for the situation
If you will be in direct sun for many hours, a light colour in a loose, airy fabric is a good choice. If you will be in the shade or indoors, you can choose colour by taste and focus on the fabric. For exercise, a fabric that dries quickly matters more than its colour. Many brands, such as Turiform, make clothes in both light and dark colours in the same materials, so the choice comes down to style and situation.
Frequently asked questions
Are white clothes always the coolest in summer
Not always. In direct sun a light colour helps a little, but fabric, fit and airflow often matter more.
Which fabric is best for hot days
Light, airy fabrics that absorb moisture and let it evaporate, such as linen, cotton and viscose.
Do light clothes protect well against the sun
Thin light fabric lets more UV through. A tightly woven or dark fabric often protects better.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
