On your visit to Greece, you may have wondered why many elderly ladies wear black, even on the hottest of days, which to most seems counterintuitive. This practice though, is deeply rooted in Greek culture as in other Mediterranean countries, signifying the grief and loss of a deceased husband, as the colour black represents the darkness associated with death. The tradition is particularly strong in Greek rural areas, where widows may wear black for the rest of their lives.

However, most people wonder why the tradition came about, especially involving the elderly, as it is believed that white clothes are best in the summer heat because white reflects the sun’s rays, unlike black, which absorbs them. The situation, though, becomes more complicated when the thickness and line of the garment is taken into account as heat comes not only from the sun, but also from our own bodies, which means that when body heat meets white fabric, it is reflected back.

A 1980 study that examined why Bedouins, a desert-living nomadic people, wear black clothing, found that the heat load was the same whether they wore white or black. The key was in the loose fit: black, loose clothing warms the air between the fabric and the skin, creating an updraft, like a chimney, that pulls heat away from the body. So, fit is more important than colour.

However, if you wear tight-fitting clothes, then white is still the best choice, with textured fabrics such as piqué being the most beneficial, as they help keep the garment from clinging to the skin, allowing for better air circulation.