Proper clothing for rather pale person in very hot and sunny climate
I'm from central Europe and more on the pale side; I don't tan easily.
When hiking locally (Alps, etc) I usually get away just fine with short trousers/T-shirts and a panama hat (i.e., straw), but then that's only for a day apiece or so (and mostly in autumn/winter/spring anyway, so heat is not the issue). I am aware that these kind of clothes are not applicable for a desert; I am certain that I would get sunburned, quickly.
What's the best solution for very hot climates (e.g. Egypt), and 1-2 weeks, mostly being out and about? What material cools, wicks sweat away, and keeps the sun away from my skin best?
I appreciate that the locals have great solutions for that, but I would prefer something which is "culture-neutral", i.e., I don't wish to commit a faux-pas by inadvertently wearing something that may have a political meaning locally (i.e., some garb having strong connotations in some area, which I might not be aware about). And also something that does not stand out in Europe, and will be good for hiking here as well.
Is there something significantly better than just any old white/beige, well-ventilated cotton trousers? Are the more technical "outdoor" garbs much better? I don't need lots of pockets, etc.
Best Answer
I was surprised to discover that a long sleeved "technical" shirt with a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) kept me much cooler (and reduced the amount of water I needed to drink while cycling) than a cotton T shirt. It's 100% recycled polyester, so there is more to this than just what it's made of. I tested this out cycling a specific route near my home. In a tshirt I literally had sweat running down my arms making it hard to change gears. In the tech shirt, my hands were dry and I drank about half as much water on the same route.
I got mine from Mountain Equipment Co-op, a well known Canadian brand, but I am sure there are European vendors for the same clothing manufacturers. Look for descriptions that include an SPF factor of 40 or 50, mention of words like "wicking" or "cooling", and most importantly, try one before you go. Many of them also have thumbholes which allow the shirt to cover part of your hand as well as your wrist, and keep them from riding up when you're active.
They also sell very light weight pants that stretch in the right places for climbing, paddling, or whatever but then look reasonable when you go out for dinner. The difference between the special technical pants and the regular lightweight cotton pants I could buy anywhere was noticeable, but not enormous like the shirts.
Also, don't forget a hat. Keeping the sun off your face and neck doesn't just prevent sunburn, it also keeps you cooler. Straw is hard to pack and can blow off: I'd suggest a pale fabric with an all-around brim, not a baseball cap. Ideally it would have strings to help keep it on in windy weather (you can keep them tucked up inside it in normal weather.)
Pictures about "Proper clothing for rather pale person in very hot and sunny climate"
What do hot climate people wear?
Go for clothing made of cotton, linen, or jersey. You may look for dresses, tops, and skirts made of cotton or linen. Or you may opt for a jersey dress in a simple cut that you can wear on a hot day. Shorts made of cotton or linen are also good options for staying cool on a hot day.What type of clothing is best for hot weather?
Appropriate clothing for extreme heatFlowing garments allows air circulation and light coloured fabrics reflect light and heat. This will keep you cooler. Use natural fibre fabrics; cotton, linen and silk work best in absorbing sweat and allow the skin to breath.Is it better to wear light or dark clothes in the sun?
Darker colors absorb more UV than lighter colors like whites and pastels. This means the UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. But bright colors such as red can also absorb UV rays. The more vivid the color, the greater the protection\u2014a bright yellow shirt is more protective than a pale one.Why should you wear light colored clothes on a very hot day?
When the sun is shining on a hot summer's day, a combination of bright light and radiant heat is emitted. This sunlight consists of a mixture of wavelengths that include infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. Light colored clothing reflects most of the visible wavelengths which, in turn, absorbs less heat.Hot/humid weather: hot weather clothing tips to survive the heat ǀ Justine Leconte
More answers regarding proper clothing for rather pale person in very hot and sunny climate
Answer 2
This is in effect the same answer I have given for tropical clothing during raining time.
Linen: If you can wear it, it has the best comfort. It absorbs sweat easily, feels very cool, repels dirt and is germicidal.
Hemp: Not as good as linen, but a viable alternative if you don't like to wear linen.
Silk: For good weather. It is one of the airiest cloth, but you should not wear it with rucksacks etc.
Polyester: There are many clothes in outdoor shops which are very light, easily washable and very comfortable.
The difference to heavy cotton is noticable, so give it a try.
Answer 3
It is tempting to think it's a good idea to wear short clothes in hot climates but that for me it only works up to certain heat. As an inspiration, let's look at the Bedouins who live across the middle eastern deserts (and other places)
(Photo By Nickfraser, CC BY-SA 3.0 )
Bedouins typically wear long and loose clothes that allow for air circulation - their cloths are relatively thick and the inside stays circulated and cool when they move. Their clothes are typically from wool from their herds which is counter-intuitive to some since wool is typically used in winter.
They also wear a hat that has very good coverage of their head (a quaffia).
This style of hot-weather clothing is both very functional and comfortable and provides excellent sun protection. It's still incredibly hot in the desert - but comparing using it for a few days to wearing more "western" clothing - it was a lot more comfortable to me.
Answer 4
Umbrellas (or equivalent) are very popular in Asia for protecting against the sun. I doubt there are political issues with umbrellas.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Omar Ramadan, Oleksandr Pidvalnyi, Andrea Piacquadio, Andrea Piacquadio