Fashion has always been something that piqued the interest of people around the world, but one of the biggest questions in this universe is whether wearing black clothes makes you hotter. Is it a myth or truth?
For you who are rethinking your clothing choices and are curious to know if the basic black in your wardrobe really hinders on days of strong sun, this guide will help you!
Insight Factory will present what science says about wearing black clothes and the thermal sensation on hot days, so you can know exactly if it is a mistaken popular belief or if it really has a basis in truth. Shall we check it out?!
Does wearing black clothes make you feel hotter?
In the scorching heat of summer, a question that pervades the corridors of fashion and common sense arises: do black clothes heat up more?
The short answer is yes, black clothes get hotter in the heat than light-colored clothes, because black absorbs more sunlight.
Light is a form of radiant energy and depending on the color, light can be reflected or absorbed by materials.
In this sense, lighter colors, such as white and pastel tones, are often associated with a feeling of coolness, as they reflect most of the sunlight, while darker colors, like black, are seen as heat absorbers.
Therefore, black clothes absorb much more energy with the incidence of sunlight and, as a result, become hotter.
In a study conducted in Japan, researchers compared the body temperature of people wearing black and white clothes in a hot environment.
They found that the body temperature of people wearing black clothes was slightly higher than the body temperature of people wearing white clothes.
Scientific explanation
The claim that black clothes make you hotter is a popular belief that has existed for centuries. However, science shows that this is not necessarily true.
When we wear clothes, they can absorb heat from our body and the environment. Black clothes can absorb more heat, that is, they heat up more.
Few people know, but sunlight is composed of a variety of wavelengths, including visible light, infrared, and ultraviolet.
Visible light is what allows us to see, while infrared light is responsible for the heat we feel. Ultraviolet light is dangerous for the skin and can cause skin cancer.
Black clothes absorb all colors of visible light, including red light, which is the color that carries the most energy. Thus, black pieces absorb more solar energy than light-colored ones, which reflect part of the visible light.
Infrared light is also absorbed by all colors, but black clothes absorb more infrared light than light-colored pieces. This is because black clothes have a higher overall energy absorption.
Therefore, the absorption of solar energy by clothes is important to consider, especially in hot climates.
Black clothes can make you feel hotter, even if you are in a shaded environment. That is, if you are planning to spend some time in the heat, it is a good idea to choose light-colored clothes.
Does the fabric make a difference?
Besides color, the type of fabric of the clothes plays a crucial role in thermal regulation. Light and breathable fabrics, such as cotton and linen, allow better air circulation, helping to dissipate body heat.
Therefore, even if you choose to wear black clothes, choosing the right fabrics can minimize the feeling of heat.