Clothing and Climates Around the World
FoundationClothing follows climate and culture: fur for warmth in cold lands, loose light clothes in the tropics, robes against sun and sand in deserts; traditional dress like the kimono and qipao carries culture — and always check the weather before dressing.
- Clothes first fit the climate: warmth in cold lands, cooling in the tropics, sun and sand protection in deserts.
- Light colours cool and dark colours warm; cotton breathes, wool insulates, silk is smooth.
- Traditional dress such as the kimono and qipao carries culture.
文體小知識：地理知識說明文解釋環境與生活的關係，衣物原來是氣候與文化的鏡子。
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1Clothing's first job is to fit the climate. The Inuit, living near the Arctic, wear thick fur clothes and boots against the bitter cold; people in the tropics wear loose, light cotton and linen that breathe; desert dwellers wrap themselves in flowing robes and headscarves that shield them from sun and sand.
2Colour and material matter too: light colours reflect sunlight and feel cooler; dark colours absorb heat and feel warmer in winter. As for materials, cotton and linen breathe and soak up sweat, wool keeps warmth in, and silk is soft and smooth. When choosing clothes, think about the weather, the activity and the occasion.
3Traditional dress carries culture: Japan's kimono, Korea's hanbok, China's qipao and hanfu, and the Scottish kilt all appear at festivals and ceremonies. Hong Kong's cheongsam-making craft is listed as intangible cultural heritage, showing the beauty of Eastern dress.
4Learn to choose clothes for the place and day: light, airy uniform for summer school; a windbreaker and hat for hikes; a warm coat when winter turns cold. Check the weather report before going out and pack the right clothes — comfortable and healthy.
1Summary 重點摘要
Clothing follows climate and culture: fur for warmth in cold lands, loose light clothes in the tropics, robes against sun and sand in deserts; traditional dress like the kimono and qipao carries culture — and always check the weather before dressing.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The long-term weather of a place, such as hot, cold or dry.
The people living near the Arctic, who wear fur against the cold.
Animal hide and hair, very warm, used in cold-weather clothing.
A loose, long garment; desert people wear it against sun and sand.
Cloth wrapped round the head for sun, sand or warmth.
Japan's traditional dress, worn at festivals and ceremonies.
China's traditional dress for women, showing Eastern beauty.
The fibre spun by silkworms, soft and smooth — a fabric first made in China.
Hong Kong's traditional tailoring craft, listed as intangible cultural heritage.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Link clothes with climateClothing is wisdom for living with the climate. The world map makes it clear: the Inuit of the Arctic wear fur against the bitter cold; people in the tropics wear loose, light-coloured clothes to keep cool; desert people wrap themselves in robes and headscarves against the burning sun and blowing sand. Giving the reason for each dress shows how local conditions shape the way people live. Clothing also reflects local ways of life and materials — herding regions use much leather, cotton-growing regions much cotton cloth.
- Step 2: Compare colour effectsColour affects how warm or cool clothes feel. In summer a white shirt feels cooler than a black one, because light colours reflect sunlight away; in winter a dark coat feels warmer, because dark colours absorb more of the sun's heat. Try a small experiment: leave a black and a white cloth in the sunshine, touch them after a few minutes, and the dark one is clearly hotter. Going out in summer with a light-coloured hat and light clothes keeps the body from taking in too much heat.
- Step 3: Learn the materialsThe material decides what a garment can do. Feel a cotton shirt — breathable and sweat-absorbing, good for summer; a woollen jumper — fluffy and warm, right for winter; a silk scarf — smooth, light, soft and cool. Knowing how materials differ, you can choose the right fabric for the weather and the occasion when buying or matching clothes. Man-made fibres such as nylon are light and durable but less breathable; for sports, choose fabrics that draw sweat away from the skin.
- Step 4: Admire traditional dressTraditional dress carries each place's culture and history. Collect pictures of the kimono, hanbok and qipao, and say at which occasions each is worn: the kimono appears at Japanese festivals and ceremonies; the hanbok graces Korea's traditional festivals and weddings; the qipao often appears at grand Chinese occasions. Admiring traditional dress is also admiring the beauty of different cultures. The patterns and embroidery on traditional dress often carry special meanings — dragons and phoenixes stand for good fortune — and deserve careful appreciation.
- Step 5: Know Hong Kong's cheongsamHong Kong has a dress culture to be proud of too. Look for the cheongsam in old photos and TV dramas — closely cut with elegant lines, showing the beauty of Chinese women; cheongsam-making is even listed in Hong Kong's inventory of intangible cultural heritage, valued and protected. Learning the cheongsam's story shows Hong Kong's part in carrying culture onward. Hong Kong's cheongsam masters are superb craftsmen: measuring, cutting and sewing are all exacting, and one cheongsam often takes many days to make.
- Step 6: Choose clothes for the dayLearning to choose clothes starts with tomorrow's hike. Check the weather report first: on a sunny day take a hat against the sun; if it is cool, bring a windbreaker; if rain is likely, pack a raincoat; then choose ankle-supporting sports shoes and light, breathable clothes. Dressing for the weather and the activity lets you enjoy the day whatever the sky does. Put comfort and safety first: tie shoelaces tightly, and watch out for trouser legs that are too long and easy to trip over.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: Yau's family is travelling to Harbin in winter and to Bangkok in Thailand in summer. How should they pack for each trip?
- Harbin's winter is freezing: pack a down jacket, scarf, gloves and a warm hat to guard against the cold all round.
- Choose dark, warm materials and dress in layers, easy to add or remove between indoors and outdoors.
- Bangkok is hot all year: loose, light, breathable cotton and linen in light colours suit best.
- For both trips take comfortable, well-fitting shoes, and prepare rain gear according to the itinerary for sudden needs.
- Answer: For Harbin take dark, thick, warm clothes worn in layers; for Bangkok take light, loose, breathable clothes. Pack to match each place's climate, with comfortable shoes and rain gear, so the journeys are comfortable and safe.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Why do the Inuit wear fur clothes?
Q2Why do light colours feel cooler in summer?
Q3What are desert people's clothes like?
Q4Name two kinds of traditional dress.
Q5Which Hong Kong clothing craft is on the intangible cultural heritage list?
8Recap Recap
- Clothes first fit the climate: warmth in cold lands, cooling in the tropics, sun and sand protection in deserts.
- Light colours cool and dark colours warm; cotton breathes, wool insulates, silk is smooth.
- Traditional dress such as the kimono and qipao carries culture.
- Hong Kong's cheongsam-making is on the intangible cultural heritage list.
- Check the weather before going out and dress for the climate.