Myth, black clothes are warmer than white indoors

Short answer: Black absorbs more sunlight and gets warmer in direct sun. Indoors without sun there is no measurable difference between black and white clothing. There, the thickness and material of the fabric decide how warm you feel.

Where the myth comes from

Most people have felt how warm a black top gets on a sunny day. That experience is real, so it is easy to believe black is always warmer. But the explanation lies in the sunlight, not in the colour alone. When the sun is gone, the difference disappears too, and other things decide how warm your clothes feel.

The difference needs sunlight

Colour only affects warmth when there is radiation. Dark surfaces absorb more of the sun's energy and turn it into heat, while light surfaces reflect more of it back. Without sun there is no light to absorb, so the colour makes no difference. Take a look at the bamboo bra, which comes in several colours.

Indoors, the fabric decides

In a room without sun, thickness and material matter, not colour. A thick fabric holds more heat than a thin one, and a fabric that lets moisture and air through feels cooler. If you want to feel cooler indoors, choose a thinner layer rather than a lighter colour. See bamboo socks for women.

Outdoors in the sun, the myth is true

In direct sun, black can get noticeably warmer than white in the same fabric. If you will be in the sun for a long time, on a walk or at the beach, light colours can make sense. This applies mostly to the outer layer, the one the sun actually hits.

The inner layer

Underwear and bras sit under other clothes and are rarely hit directly by the sun. Here colour means very little for warmth, even in summer. Choose the colour that works under your clothes and that you like best. What makes a difference to comfort is the fit and how the fabric feels against your skin.

Fit and air

A fabric that sits close to the body feels different from one that hangs loosely. Loose clothing leaves room for air between fabric and skin, which can feel cooler on warm days. Close fitting clothing holds more body heat. Indoors, that matters more than colour.

Colour in everyday life

Since colour makes no difference to warmth indoors, you can choose purely on taste. Black is easy to combine and shows stains less. White and light colours look fresh and work well under light clothing. Pick what you wear most. Browse all our women's clothing.

Caring for dark colours

Dark clothing can turn slightly dull over time if washed too hot. Wash at forty degrees, inside out, with other dark colours. Use a detergent for coloured clothes and skip the tumble dryer. Dry your clothes out of direct sun so the colour stays deep and even.

Frequently asked questions

Is black clothing warmer than white

Only in direct sun. Indoors or in the shade there is no noticeable difference between the colours, and the thickness and material of the fabric are what matter.

Why does black get warmer in the sun

Because dark surfaces absorb more of the sun's energy and turn it into heat, while light surfaces reflect more of the light back.

Should you avoid black in summer

Only if you will be in direct sun for a long time. Indoors and in the shade, colour makes no difference to warmth, so you can choose by taste.