Question about clothing in Tucson

[Marcy1210]

Average Weather for Tucson, AZ - Temperature and Precipitation

This link may help you. In hot, sunny weather, I'd suggest carrying a lightweight white or pastel gauzy shirt (if you're female) that you can slip on over a t-shirt should you need to cover your arms. One that can be folded to fit in a purse. If you're a guy, I'd suggest a lightweight, colored long sleeved jacket that you can easily carry and still put on if needed.

Otherwise, you can think about finding a place in Summerhaven on Mt. Lemmon. It' almost identical to where I live in Colorado. Days about 75-80 (in summer), nights so cool (40's to 50's) to make sleeping with open windows a delight. On the other hand, it does have four seasons, one of which is a snowy winter. But, something to consider.

[famlife]

Thanks for all the info! Very helpful!

[Varula]

Something to ponder...human body temp = 98.6. Weather outside in Tucson mid-summer is well into the 100's. Hotter outside than your own body. I ride a motorcycle and have read that long sleeves and long pants (light weight of course) can actually keep you COOLER in the summer as it keeps the heat OUT. I know, it's backwards thinking, but as mentioned early, you see many work crews wearing light colored long sleeved shirts, year-round. It keeps the sun off and heat out. having tried this theory on my bike, I know it works. You won't have a problem and people won't think you're weird at all!

PS Get a good hat that breathes, too. Many excellent hat shops around Tucson.

[jksn75]

You will be fine with very light weight, loose, cotton tops...think tunics. Heck, look at the people in the middle east. They live in that stuff I read somewhere that it actually keeps you cooler.

[Jenmar1024]

I have lived here in the Tucson area for 6 years now and every summer it amazes me how many people I actually see wearing long sleeve shirts, cardigans and track jackets and yes with shorts or even yoga type pants.

So I would say you will be just fine with long sleeves here anytime of the year. If it's uncomfortable at first, stay with it your body will be build up a tolerance.

Good Luck to you.

[Marcy1210]

You definitely get acclimated to the heat. My first summer here, I thought I'd die from the heat, and I hated that I couldn't sleep with my windows open at night. But, yesterday and today, it was in the 70's and I was freezing!! Whenver I go back to CO, no matter what time of year, I freeze. The heat definitely becomes tolerable; not always fun, but tolerable, so long sleeves will seem normal very quickly.

[tumamoc]

Originally Posted by Varula

Something to ponder...human body temp = 98.6. Weather outside in Tucson mid-summer is well into the 100's. Hotter outside than your own body. I ride a motorcycle and have read that long sleeves and long pants (light weight of course) can actually keep you COOLER in the summer as it keeps the heat OUT. I know, it's backwards thinking, but as mentioned early, you see many work crews wearing light colored long sleeved shirts, year-round. It keeps the sun off and heat out. having tried this theory on my bike, I know it works. You won't have a problem and people won't think you're weird at all!

PS Get a good hat that breathes, too. Many excellent hat shops around Tucson.

I agree 100 percent. Most people in the desert that work outside for a living (landscapers, ranchers, construction workers, etc) where breathable long sleeve shirts because, as you sweat, it keeps your chest and back cooler. Seriously, long sleeve shirts work like an evaporative cooler. Long sleeves take a while to get used to, but after a while you wonder how you ever got along in the summer without them.

[rbohm]

as long as you use lightweight, light colored, breathable fabrics, and go up one or two sizes so the fit is really loose, then long sleeves should be no problem in tucson in the summer.