双语阅读:夏天穿什么衣服最凉快? What clothes are the coolest to wear in summer?
As the world continues 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 2C (3.6F) – which over the long term would save considerable energy, both saving money and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
随着世界继续应对日益频繁的极端热浪,这些现象归因于气候变化,我们所穿的衣服成为保持凉爽的关键要素。研究人员发现,穿着适当的衣服可以让空调温度上调2摄氏度(3.6华氏度)- 长期来看,这将节省大量能源,节省金钱并减少温室气体排放。
So what should you wear to stay cool?
那么,为了保持凉爽,你应该穿什么呢?
Colour and design
颜色和设计
When it comes to colour, most people wear white in the summer – because white reflects the sun's rays, rather than absorbing the light like black does.
谈到颜色,大多数人在夏季都会穿白色衣服 - 因为白色反射阳光,而不像黑色那样吸收光线。
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.
然而,热量不仅来自太阳 - 它也来自我们的身体。当来自我们身体的热量撞到白色衣服时,它会被反射回来。
In 1980, a study of why Bedouins – an indigenous, semi-nomadic people who inhabit desert regions in the Arabian peninsula, Middle East and North Africa – wear black robes in the desert, found that heat exposure was the same whether tribal members wore black or white robes.
1980年的一项研究调查了为什么贝都因人(一种栖息在阿拉伯半岛、中东和北非沙漠地区的土著半游牧民族)在沙漠地区穿着黑袍。研究发现,无论部落成员穿黑袍还是白袍,暴露在热量中的情况是一样的。
How is that possible?
那么这是怎么可能的呢?
Black coloured fabrics absorb heat emanating 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 – like a chimney – and providing cooling relief.
黑色的织物会吸收来自身体的热量 - 这也有助于降低体温。贝都因人的秘诀在于穿宽松的黑色衣服,尤其在风大的时候。宽松的黑色衣服会使织物和皮肤之间的空间升温,产生类似烟囱的向上气流,并提供降温的缓解。
So the fit of the clothing is actually more important than the colour. 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.
因此,衣服的合身程度实际上比颜色更重要。然而,如果你打算穿贴身的衣服,那么最好选择白色。带有纹理的织物 - 如凉席织物或常用于运动马球衫的皮奎织物 - 也有助于将衣物与皮肤分离。
Material matters
材料问题
"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. "Some of the newer sports-based materials do this. Cotton does not do so great with this."
“在选择衣服时,最好选择能够允许水蒸气通过的材料,这样不会阻碍汗水的蒸发,”东南路易斯安那大学物理学副教授瑞特·阿兰说道。“一些新型的运动服装材料可以做到这一点,但棉质材料并不太擅长。”
"In terms of clothes, it's better to have a material that allows water vapor to pass through so that it doesn't block the sweat evaporation," says Rhett Allain, associate professor of physics at Southeastern Louisiana University. "Some of the newer sports-based materials do this. Cotton does not do so great with this."
“在选择衣服时,最好选择能够允许水蒸气通过的材料,这样不会阻碍汗水的蒸发,”东南路易斯安那大学物理学副教授瑞特·阿兰说道。“一些新型的运动服装材料可以做到这一点,但棉质材料并不太擅长。”
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.
未涂层的棉质、亚麻、尼龙和聚酯都被归类为具有一定透气性的织物 - 这意味着它们允许汗水和热量透过材料散发出来。
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 fibers, 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.
棉质吸收湿气但不会很快干,因此如果你出很多汗,衣服会保持湿润,使其不太舒适。亚麻由于其较大的纤维而被广泛穿着,具有良好的透气性,但像棉质一样干燥较慢。美丽诺羊毛一直是户外爱好者的热门选择,因为它透气并能吸收湿气而不保留异味。
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 fibers 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.
尼龙和聚酯在大多数运动服装中被使用,因为它们能吸收湿气并且干燥较快 - 但它们会保留异味。研究还表明,尼龙比聚酯具有更高的湿气吸收和更好的吸湿能力,但干燥速度较慢。然而,尼龙和聚酯等合成纤维在湿润时可能会感觉不舒服,有研究建议穿着竹子制成的服装,竹子是低导热材料,不会影响舒适度。
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.
所以选择一套保持凉爽的衣服比简单地穿上一件白T恤要复杂一些。但是选择合适的织物和合身的尺寸应该能帮助你在气温升高时保持体温 - 同时还能节省空调费用。