Increasing Thermal Comfort: How Colour and Fabric Composition of Clothing Impacts Warmth

Abstract

As energy costs rise and carbon reduction targets intensify, passive strategies to improve thermal comfort indoors are increasingly important. This study evaluates the heat retention performance of four commercially available beanies differing in colour, composition, and insulation type to determine which materials most effectively limit heat loss. Using a silicone heat pack as a controlled thermal source, internal and surface temperatures were measured over time to quantify thermal conductivity and infer insulation capacity. Results showed that insulated beanies, particularly the navy beanie, retained greater heat over five minutes compared to uninsulated alternatives. Although darker colours are expected to absorb and retain more heat, the navy insulated beanie conserved more heat than the black insulated beanie, indicating that colour has minimal impact under typical indoor conditions. Thermal conductivity (k) values were calculated but are only partially representative due to complex multilayered structures, air gaps, and mixed heat transfer modes. The findings suggest that material layering and structure, rather than colour or fabric composition alone, play dominant roles in thermal retention. These insights support the potential for targeted clothing choices to enhance personal warmth in low-energy domestic settings.