The best fabric for extreme heat? It’s more complicated than you think - EverythingLubbock.com

Anyone who's spent a July afternoon on 19th Street knows the intense heat we deal with here. While most of us instinctively grab thin shirts, scientists studying clothing design say many other factors play a significant role. They found that the fabric itself matters. Its weight, construction, and fit also play a role. Even your clothes' color, activity level, and how much you sweat influence what works best. Extreme heat is a growing public health concern.

For those of us hitting up events in the Depot District or just walking around Tech Terrace, picking out clothes for a sweltering day just got more complicated. Textile researchers are actively developing and studying new clothing designed specifically to help people stay cooler. George Havenith, an expert in the field, explains that clothing should allow the body's natural response to heat to work, not impede it. Clothing is, however, only one part of the body's overall response to heat.

So, next time you are preparing for a famously hot West Texas afternoon, remember that your shirt's fit might be as important as its material.