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Temperatures are about to flirt with 30 degrees in the coming days, with all the inconveniences that entails in terms of clothing. We already know that certain materials, such as hemp and linen, are conducive to periods of high heat, but we know less about the colors to adopt to spend a cool day. White, yellow, and red would be the colors to favor in case of high temperatures, it’s science that says it!
A team of Japanese scientists, led by researcher Toshiaki Ichinose from the National Institute for Environmental Studies, explored the importance of choosing the color of clothing when temperatures soar. She therefore conducted an experiment to determine which ones kept the body cool in the summer sun, and this research is likely to challenge certain beliefs.
For the purposes of the study, Toshiaki Ichinose exposed to the sun nine torsos of mannequins surmounted by polo shirts of different colors, ranging from red to light green through yellow, blue, black, white, or even green. dark. Detail that is important: the outside temperature was then about 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). After only five minutes of exposure, the scientist examined the surface temperature of the fabrics, and observed a difference of 20°C between the coolest polo shirt and the warmest polo shirt, testifying indeed to the importance of good choose your wardrobe during a heat wave.
White, yellow, and… red
It is customary to say that white is the most suitable color for summer temperatures because it keeps the body cool, unlike black which tends to absorb heat. The study effectively confirms these claims, indicating that the surface temperature of the white polo shirt was around 30 degrees Celsius – equivalent to the temperature of the air during the study. Conversely, the surface temperature of the black polo shirt was above 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), a difference of 20 degrees with the white model. Nothing new under the sun, one would like to say… Except that the surprise comes directly from the intermediate colors.
After white, the colors that keep the body cool are none other than yellow, gray, and – surprise – red, yet considered in the collective imagination as a warm color. Purple is placed in the middle of the ranking, so it can be worn during periods of high heat if it is – really – your favorite color. On the other hand, blue should be avoided – another surprise because it is considered a cold color – light green, dark green, and therefore black.
You now have all the cards – and the colors – in hand so that your wardrobe is not an additional obstacle during this period of high heat. To go further, you can also bet on specific materials that also help keep the body cool when the thermometer goes crazy. Cotton, for example, lets the skin breathe, while linen, a plant fiber with low environmental impact, is known for its thermoregulatory properties – which therefore help regulate the temperature and keep the skin cool throughout the summer.