Dress for Success

If you plan to be outdoors a lot during these late-summer days -- whether you're playing sports or simply sightseeing while on vacation -- it's important to choose clothes that will help keep you cool and protect your skin from sun damage, says fitness specialist Bob Bonham, founder of the Strong and Shapely Gym in East Rutherford, N.J. And surprisingly, the best choices are not airy, light-colored garments. Contrary to popular belief, white clothing is not necessarily the best choice for hot, sunny days. Dark-colored clothes can actually help prevent sun damage to your skin, Bonham says, noting that darker clothing absorbs ultraviolet rays better than white or light-colored garments, which allow more of the rays to pass through to your skin. Also, avoid wearing wet clothing -- water-soaked fabrics stick to your skin and allow the harmful rays to pass through. And the tighter the weave of the fabric, the better its ability to shield the skin underneath, Bonham says.