Mir Iqbal Hussain Chattergami
Climate Change, Time for a Dress Change
Yesterday, during my duty hours, I noticed that nearly half of our staff members were wearing white or light-coloured clothes. It was an ordinary sight, but the heat made me think about it differently. I began wondering: if our climate is changing, should our way of dressing change too? Recently, I read about Japan and some European countries changing or relaxing traditional workplace dress codes because of rising temperatures and heat waves. It made me think that when the weather becomes hotter, even the clothes we wear may have a role to play in helping us cope with the heat. It also took me back to the white clothes traditionally worn in schools, hospitals and many other professions. White has long been associated with cleanliness, purity and professionalism. But perhaps there was some practical wisdom behind it too. Light colours reflect more sunlight and generally absorb less heat than darker colours.
The fabric matters as well. Cotton remains a good choice during hot weather because it is breathable, allows air to pass through and helps sweat evaporate. Light-coloured, loose cotton clothes can therefore make us more comfortable when temperatures rise. For Kashmir, this is worth thinking about. Our summers are changing, and heatwaves are becoming a growing concern. We usually discuss climate adaptation in terms of water conservation, disaster management, infrastructure and other major measures. But adaptation can also begin with small changes in our everyday lives.
“As global temperatures rise, our wardrobe choices must evolve—shifting from traditional standards of appearance and discipline toward functional climate protection and daily comfort.”
Schools in the Valley, both government and private, should consider light-coloured, loose and breathable uniforms during summer. Students are particularly sensitive to extreme heat. A climate-friendly uniform could not only make them more comfortable during heat waves, but also encourage them to think about climate change and the small changes needed to adapt to it.
Police personnel, traffic workers, sanitation workers and others who spend long hours outdoors could also benefit from uniforms designed for hotter conditions. Hospitals and other institutions could similarly review their dress requirements during periods of extreme heat.
Of course, changing the colour of our clothes will not solve the climate crisis. But it can be a small step towards climate-change adaptation, particularly as we learn to live with increasingly frequent heatwaves in the Valley. Drinking enough water, taking breaks, providing shade and avoiding unnecessary exposure during the hottest hours remain equally important.
Yesterday’s white clothes among my colleagues may have been nothing more than a coincidence. But that simple sight made me realise that climate change is slowly influencing even the ordinary choices we make. Perhaps it is time to rethink our dress—not only for appearance, discipline or tradition, but also for our comfort and protection in a warming climate. If the climate is changing, perhaps what we wear should change with it.
(The author is a teacher and Environmental Science researcher pursuing a PhD in Environmental Science. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
