Choosing the right clothing for tropical climates is important for comfort. Fabrics that maximize airflow and absorb moisture, such as cotton, linen, and rayon, are recommended. Light-colored, loose-fitting clothes are also ideal. Visitors should try clothes on for fit and comfort and consider buying locally. It’s also important to stay cool in high humidity by wearing baggy clothes and using creams or powders to prevent chafing.
Daily life in tropical areas can be intolerable for visitors wearing less than ideal clothing. Textiles for tropical climates have a number of properties that make them highly suitable for wearing and using in hot, humid regions. In addition to looking for better fabric choices, it’s best to try clothes on for fit and comfort, as tight-fitting or awkward-fitting clothes can be infuriating in hot weather. It might be easier to buy tropical-appropriate clothes locally, and it might be a good idea to check what the locals are wearing.
Keep cold
High temperatures combined with high humidity can make life uncomfortable, especially for people not used to these conditions. Man keeps himself cool mainly through sweating: the evaporation of the liquid removes heat from the body. Sweat evaporates less quickly when humidity is high and therefore has less of a cooling effect. For this reason, fabrics for tropical climates should maximize airflow through clothing, allowing heat and moisture to escape. It also helps if the clothes are baggy.
Fabric choices
Some fabrics tend to retain heat by providing an insulating layer on the skin. Others tend to reflect heat back to the body and inhibit the outward flow of warm, humid air; this is often true for synthetic fibers, such as polyester. Another important factor is the ability of a material to absorb water. Synthetic fibers tend to be water repellent; they allow perspiration to accumulate, reducing evaporation and causing discomfort and irritation. Natural fibers are generally better at absorbing moisture from the skin and evaporating it from the outer surface.
As a general rule, the best fabrics for tropical climates are those made from natural materials like cotton, linen and rayon. Strictly speaking, rayon is a semi-synthetic fiber, but it is made from natural raw materials and resembles natural fibers in its properties. These materials tend to “breathe” more than synthetics like polyester. Wool and silk are not good choices, as they tend to retain heat, and silk can lose some of its strength from exposure to strong sunlight and perspiration.
Cotton
Cotton is an excellent material for a tropical climate because it allows air to move away from the skin through the fabric, allowing heat to escape and reducing humidity. It also absorbs moisture well, keeping the skin dry and increasing evaporation. This tendency to absorb water could also be a problem: it can get damp and stay damp for some time. Anyone who has worn cotton denim jeans in wet weather will know that they absorb a lot of water and take a long time to dry. These, however, are made of relatively coarse and thick material; cotton garments for hot, humid parts of the world should be made with a thinner, lighter fabric.
Another useful property of cotton is that it can be machine washed and dried. Since sweat accumulates in hot weather, the ability to quickly and easily wash clothes is a definite plus. Cotton is also easily ironed and reasonably durable.
Lino
Like cotton, linen is cool and absorbent, and very comfortable to wear. Quickly loses water when wet or wet, a useful feature in humid conditions. The material is relatively resistant to stains and can be washed in the washing machine; however, it tends to wrinkle and crease easily, especially when dried in the dryer, and ironing it can be tough work. It’s also susceptible to mold, which can be a problem in areas with high humidity.
District
This fabric is made from natural cellulose, which undergoes various chemical treatments to create a fibrous material suitable for clothing. Like cotton and linen, it is cool and comfortable to wear: it does not retain body heat and absorbs water easily, making it suitable for tropical conditions. Regular rayon, however, has a limited life span and should be dry cleaned rather than washed. Another form of this fabric, called high wet modulus (HWM) rayon, is much more durable and can be machine washed.
Other things to consider
Generally, light-colored fabrics are best for a tropical climate because they reflect light and heat. White, beige and pastels are common choices and can be embroidered with thread to create colorful designs. Tropical-themed fabrics don’t have to be dull white or have striking patterns; the options are varied when it comes to decoration.
Clothes for tropical climates should also be loose and comfortable. Many cultures have traditions of flowing clothing that allows air to circulate close to the body. Besides being refreshing, it also helps keep the body dry, preventing irritation, rashes and skin infections. Overweight people may also consider using a cream or powder on areas of skin prone to chafing, to prevent painful sores at the end of an active day in hot, humid conditions.
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