The air flow profile around a cylinder, covered with textile, was analyzed both theoretically and experimentally. A model was deduced, which describes the air flow through and underneath clothing that is covering a body part. In the air profile model presented here, the body part is represented by a cylinder. The model was validated by conducting pressure measurements around the cylinder, both with and without clothing. These pressure profiles were used to calculate the velocity profile around the cylinder, which was then compared to the theoretically predicted velocity profile. There is a good agreement between the measurements and the model. The model was also used to validate an empirical formula, which is used at present, that described the air velocity through the clothing as a function of the wind velocity. A correction factor for this formula is proposed. (c) 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 52: 3688-3695, 2006.