What Is the Best Clothing to Keep You Cool?

夏天穿什么衣服最凉快？

As the world will continue to grapple with extreme heatwaves， which are becoming ever more regular thanks to climate change， the clothing we wear is a vital component in how we stay cool. Researchers have found that by wearing appropriate clothes， it is possible to turn the air-conditioning up by 2℃， which over the long term would save considerable energy， both saving money and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

全球已经并将继续与极端热浪作斗争，而且受气候变化影响这种极端天气变得越来越频繁，因此我们穿什么颜色、质地的衣服对于保持凉爽十分关键。研究人员发现，如果穿对衣服，空调可以调高2摄氏度，长期来看可以节省不少电，既能省钱，还能减少温室气体排放。

So what should you wear to stay cool?

那么穿什么衣服才会凉快呢？

Color and design

颜色和设计

When it comes to color， most people wear white in summer—because white reflects the sun’s rays， rather than absorbing the light like black does.

However， heat doesn’t just come from the sun—it comes from our bodies too. When that heat from our bodies hits the white clothing， it is reflected back at us.

Black colored fabrics absorb heat coming from the body—so this can also play a role in cooling your body down. The Bedouin’s secret is wearing loose-fitting black clothing， especially if it’s windy. The loose black clothes heat up the space between the fabric and the skin， promoting an upward air current， and providing cooling relief.

说到衣服颜色，大多数人在夏天穿白色衣服，因为白色能反射太阳光线，而不像黑色会吸收光线。

然而，不仅太阳会释放热量，我们的身体也会散发热量。来自身体的热量遇到白色衣服，就会反射回身体。

黑色面料吸收了身体散发的热量，因此黑色衣服有助于给身体降温。贝都因人的秘诀在于他们穿宽松的黑色衣服，尤其在有风的日子里。宽松的黑色衣服让面料和皮肤之间的空间升温，从而形成向上的气流，以此让身体凉爽下来。

So the fit of the clothing is actually more important than the color. However， if you are going to be wearing tight-fitting clothing， then stick with white. Fabrics with texture—such as seersucker or pique， a fabric often used in sports polo shirts—also help to lift clothing off your skin.

所以衣服的松紧其实比颜色更重要。不过，如果你要穿紧身衣服，那就穿白色的。有纹理的面料，比如泡泡纱或翻领运动衫常用的珠地网眼面料，也有助于让衣服不紧贴在皮肤上。

Material matters

面料很重要

“In terms of clothes， it’s better to have a material that allows water vapour to pass through so that it doesn’t block the sweat evaporation，” says Rhett Allain， associate professor of physics at Southeastern Louisiana University in the US. “Some of the newer sports-based materials do this. Cotton does not do so great with this.”

Uncoated cotton， linen， nylon and polyester are all classed as breathable fabrics to some degree—meaning they allow sweat and heat to escape through the material.

美国东南路易斯安那大学的物理学副教授瑞特·阿兰说：“衣服要凉快，最好是采用能让水蒸气通过的面料，这样才不会阻止汗液蒸发。有些新型运动面料能做到这点。棉布的透湿性则要差一些。”

没有涂层的棉布、亚麻、尼龙和涤纶都有一定的透气性，这意味着汗液和热气都能穿透这些面料。

Cotton absorbs moisture but it doesn’t dry quickly， so if you’re sweating a lot your clothes will stay wet， making them less comfortable. Linen is widely worn as it has excellent breathability due to its large fibres， but like cotton it is slow to dry. Merino wool has been a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts as it’s breathable and wicks moisture without retaining odor.

Nylon and polyester are used in most activewear as they wick moisture and dry quickly—but they retain odor. Research has also shown that nylon has a higher moisture absorption and better wicking capabilities than polyester， but is slower to dry. Synthetic fibres like nylon and polyester can feel uncomfortable when they get wet though， and one study suggested wearing clothing made of bamboo， which is a low conductor of heat， and doesn’t compromise on comfort.

So it turns out that picking an outfit to stay cool is a little more complex than simply throwing on a white T-shirt. But the right fabric and appropriate fit when possible should help you keep your temperature down when the mercury heats up—and save on air-conditioning too.

棉布吸湿却不能速干，所以如果你流很多汗，衣服就会湿湿的，穿起来不舒服。很多人爱穿亚麻衣服，因为亚麻的粗纤维赋予它极佳的透气性，但是和棉布一样，亚麻干得慢。美利奴羊毛既透气又吸湿排汗而且不会留下汗味，因此受到户外运动爱好者的欢迎。

尼龙和涤纶吸湿排汗又速干，因此被应用在多数运动装中，但是这两种面料会留下汗味。研究表明，尼龙的吸湿排汗能力比涤纶强，但是比涤纶干得慢。不过，尼龙和涤纶这样的化纤面料湿掉后会让穿着者感到不舒服。一项研究建议人们穿竹子制成的衣服，因为其导热性低，而且舒适度高。

可见，穿什么衣服才能凉快是个有点复杂的问题，不是一件大白T恤就能解决的。但是，合适的面料和剪裁在大热天能帮你降温，也能节省空调电费。

Word Bank

grapple with 努力应对

The new government has yet to grapple with the problem of air pollution.

odor /'əʊdə(r)/ n. （尤指难闻的）气味；臭味