When it comes to winter clothing, does the colour of the outer layer have any effect on heat emissivity? For example, is white a better colour than black?—George Waters, via email
We understand why you’re asking the question. “Everyone knows that in the summer, wearing white is better than wearing black,” says Stephen Morris, a professor emeritus in the department of physics at the University of Toronto. But that’s because dark colours absorb more heat than light colours. The reverse isn’t true: clothing colour doesn’t make a difference when it comes to emitting heat.
“The colour of the outer layer wouldn’t have an effect on how quickly you lose heat to your surroundings,” says Joanne O’Meara, a professor in the department of physics at the University of Guelph. “The only thing that really matters is what material the layer is made of, because that affects how quickly the heat can travel from your body to the air.”
To keep warm in the winter, dress in multiple layers and wear a windproof jacket—this prevents you from losing heat to windchill.
In winter, there’s no harm in wearing a dark outer layer—it could keep you a little toastier in full sun, after all. But the only benefit to wearing a white coat, says Morris, “would be if you want to hide.”
Got a question for Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.
This article was originally published in the Winter 2024 issue of Cottage Life.
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