IT IS commonly said that dark-coloured clothes make a person feel hotter under the sun.
No, not in the sense of physical attraction, but in terms of body temperature.
Many tend to reach for white shirts before going out on a hot day but do dark-coloured clothes really make you feel hotter?
Verdict
TRUE, BUT
Dark-coloured fabrics generally absorb more of the sun's radiation than light-coloured fabrics.
That can make the outer surface of a dark garment hotter when it is exposed to direct sunlight.
However, whether the person wearing it feels noticeably hotter depends on more than colour alone.
Fabric type, thickness, fit, how much skin is covered, wind, humidity and physical activity all affect the body's heat balance.
A classic study involving people exercising under artificial sunlight found that the surface temperatures of black clothing were particularly high.
Yet the overall differences in heat gain between black and white garments were small in some of the tests because white fabrics can allow more radiation to pass through them.
The study also found that high surface temperatures in dark clothing could promote the loss of dry heat to the surrounding air.
That does not mean black is always cooler.
Instead, it shows that a loose, breathable garment with airflow can perform differently from a tight, heavy or poorly ventilated one, regardless of colour.
In Malaysia's humid conditions, sweat does not evaporate as easily as it does in dry weather.
Light, loose-fitting clothing remains practical advice for staying comfortable outdoors, especially during hot weather.
The World Health Organisation recommends light and loose-fitting clothing as one way to keep the body cool.
Dark clothes may absorb more sunlight, but choosing a breathable fabric and a comfortable fit can matter just as much as choosing a lighter shade.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
https://www.who.int/news-room/
