Heat wave guide: What clothes should be in the window?

It was summery hot this week, but then it cooled down just as quickly. Retailers must prepare themselves for questions: How do you respond to such unsettled weather? What can customers wear to the office without breaking a sweat? Stylist Janneke Cloosterman advises: “Use your knowledge of materials and fabrics.”

Layered looks ensure airiness

“In this warm weather, we recommend wearing airy, loose-fitting clothing. Tight-fitting clothing hinders air circulation. The more space there is between the body and the clothing, the better the skin can breathe. This in turn ensures cooling.

Combine this with layered looks. Wear a top made of loosely woven cotton or silk as a base. This sometimes looks like polyester, but in the heat you can clearly feel the difference. You can also let the customers try this out themselves. The natural fiber ensures that sweat is absorbed more quickly. Wear a blouse or blazer over it, ideally cut wider.

For men: Instead of a tight cotton shirt, you can wear casual linen shirts. This often looks even better under a jacket. The jacket can then be easily put on and taken off.

I always recommend taking a light scarf with you. This is practical when it cools down in the evening and you want to go straight from work to the terrace, for example. Then you don’t even have to wear the jacket.

Sandals in your work bag are also an option. Many people can’t imagine wearing closed shoes with socks now.”

Smart fabric selection

“In hot weather, the body has to give off heat. Clothing can help with this. Use your knowledge of fabrics. Point out that materials such as linen, organic cotton and Tencel are not only more comfortable, but also a sustainable choice. These fibers have an airier, more open structure. Wool, for example, has the same effect on humans as it does on sheep: it regulates body temperature excellently. Polyester does not have these properties naturally because it is plastic.

When it comes to shoes, leather is the best choice. Feet sweat more quickly in shoes made of polyester because the heat cannot escape. You can even go barefoot in leather shoes. You sweat a little, but there’s no smell.”

Sweat stains

“The tighter the clothing, the more likely you are to see sweat stains. This is particularly an issue for men when they take off their jacket. So choose a looser-cut shirt and jacket. Then you may still smell the sweat, but at least you won’t see it.

There is no consensus about the influence of color. However, sweat stains are more noticeable in dark tones like navy blue and black. The salt in the sweat leaves slight edges there. With white it’s less noticeable.”

Summer wardrobe: Don’t think in black and white

Classic color theory says that dark colors become warmer because they absorb light. Light colors, on the other hand, reflect light. That’s why it’s better not to wear black in summer. However, in 2023 there was compelling evidence to the contrary.

Professor of exercise physiology Maria Hopman from RadboudUMC accompanied 40 hikers during the four-day march in Nijmegen. These were equipped with a temperature pill and sensors on the arms and back. They completed the route alternately in a white and a black T-shirt. Based on 80 measurements, Hopman found no difference.

An important note: The study was carried out at temperatures below 24 degrees Celsius.