Which Cloth is Best for Summer?
When the sun is hot and the air is sticky, the clothes you pick can make a big difference in how comfortable you feel. Some clothes trap heat and make you feel like you’re in an oven, while others help keep you cool and dry. Finding the right summer fabrics is super important if you want to enjoy warm days without feeling sweaty and uncomfortable. In this post, we’ll look at all kinds of summer clothes and fabrics to help you figure out which ones will keep you coolest when temperatures rise.
Natural Summer Fabrics
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most common fabrics in the world and has been used for thousands of years. It comes from the fluffy part around cotton plant seeds. This natural fabric is a top pick for summer because it soaks up sweat well and lets air move through it easily.
When you wear cotton in summer, it pulls moisture away from your skin, which helps you feel cooler. Cotton is also very soft and usually doesn’t irritate skin, which makes it nice to wear when it’s hot and you might be sweating more.
The downside of cotton is that once it gets wet from sweat, it stays wet for quite a while. This can make your clothes feel heavy and sticky if you’re sweating a lot. Cotton also wrinkles very easily, so it might not look neat after you’ve been wearing it in the heat.
Linen
Linen comes from the flax plant and might be the all-time champion of summer fabrics. People who live in very hot countries have worn linen for thousands of years, and for good reason – it’s super breathable and dries very fast.
The special thing about linen is its structure. Linen fibers are thick and strong, and they create a fabric with lots of tiny gaps that let air flow through easily. This means heat can escape from your body better than with most other fabrics.
Linen also pulls moisture away from your skin and dries much faster than cotton. When you sweat in linen clothes, the sweat evaporates quickly, which helps cool your body down. Another nice thing about linen is that it rarely sticks to your skin, even when it’s super hot.
The main problem with linen is that it wrinkles like crazy. But many people think these wrinkles are part of linen’s summer look. Linen also tends to cost more than cotton.
Hemp
Hemp is another plant-based fabric that’s becoming more popular for summer clothes. It’s similar to linen but comes from the cannabis plant (the kind that doesn’t have the stuff that makes you high).
Hemp is amazing for hot weather because it’s very breathable and gets even softer with each wash. It’s also super strong – even stronger than cotton – so hemp clothes can last for many summers.
Like linen, hemp pulls moisture from your skin and dries quickly. It also has natural properties that fight bacteria, which means hemp clothes are less likely to start smelling bad when you sweat in them.
The downside is that hemp isn’t as common as other fabrics, so it can be harder to find and might cost more. Some people also find that hemp feels a bit rough at first, though it softens up over time.
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber that comes from silkworm cocoons. It’s known for being super smooth and soft, and it has a beautiful shine that makes it look fancy.
For summer, silk has some good points – it’s very lightweight and feels cool against your skin at first touch. Silk also allows some airflow and doesn’t trap heat too badly.
However, silk isn’t the best at handling sweat. It can show water marks easily, and when silk gets wet, it tends to stick to your skin in an uncomfortable way. Silk also needs special care when washing, so it’s not the most practical choice for everyday summer wear.
Silk is best saved for summer evenings or fancy events where you won’t be sweating too much.
Semi-Synthetic Summer Fabrics
Rayon
Rayon sits in the middle between natural and synthetic fabrics. It’s made from wood pulp that goes through a chemical process to become fiber. The end result is a fabric that feels a lot like silk but costs much less.
Rayon is excellent for summer because it’s lightweight, breathable, and feels cool against your skin. It soaks up moisture really well – sometimes even better than cotton – and dries faster too. Rayon also drapes beautifully on your body, which means it often hangs away from your skin a bit, allowing air to circulate.
The downsides of rayon are that it’s not as strong as cotton, especially when wet, and it can shrink or lose its shape if not washed carefully. Some types of rayon production are also not great for the environment, though newer methods are improving this.
Lyocell (Tencel)
Lyocell, often sold under the brand name Tencel, is a newer type of rayon that’s made in a more eco-friendly way. It usually comes from eucalyptus trees grown on farms specifically for making fabric.
For summer wear, lyocell is amazing. It’s super soft, very breathable, and excellent at managing moisture. It wicks sweat away from your body efficiently and dries quickly. Lyocell also has a cool, smooth feel against your skin.
Another great thing about lyocell is that it resists wrinkles better than many natural fabrics, so you can look neat even on hot days. It’s also stronger than regular rayon when wet.
The main downside is that lyocell usually costs more than cotton or regular rayon.
Modal
Modal is another type of rayon, typically made from beech trees. It’s known for being super soft – even softer than cotton in many cases.
For summer, modal works well because it’s thin, breathable, and very good at handling moisture. It soaks up about 50% more water than cotton and releases it more quickly, which helps keep you dry even when you’re sweating.
Modal also holds its shape well and doesn’t shrink or get wrinkly as easily as cotton. This makes it great for summer t-shirts and underwear.
Like other types of rayon, modal can be a bit less durable than cotton, and it usually costs more.
Synthetic Options for Summer
Polyester
Polyester is made from plastic and is very common in clothes today because it’s cheap and durable. For a long time, polyester had a bad reputation for summer wear because it doesn’t breathe well and can feel hot and sticky.
However, modern polyester has come a long way. Many athletic clothes now use special polyester fabrics designed to pull sweat away from your skin and help it evaporate quickly. These “moisture-wicking” polyester fabrics can actually work well for active summer days, especially if you’ll be sweating a lot.
Regular polyester still isn’t great for everyday summer wear though, as it doesn’t let air through very well and can trap odors from sweat.
Nylon
Like polyester, nylon is a synthetic fabric made from petroleum. It’s strong, stretchy, and dries really fast, which is why it’s often used in swimwear.
For most summer clothes, standard nylon isn’t a great choice because it blocks airflow and doesn’t let your skin breathe. This can make you feel hotter and sweatier.
However, some newer nylon fabrics are designed with tiny holes or special weaving patterns that improve breathability. These can be okay for summer, especially for activities where you need durability and quick drying.
Comparison Table: Summer Fabrics Ranked
| Fabric | Breathability | Moisture Wicking | Drying Speed | Feel on Skin | Durability | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linen | Excellent | Excellent | Very Fast | Crisp, textured | Good | High | Very hot days, beach wear |
| Hemp | Excellent | Very Good | Fast | Initially rough, softens | Excellent | High | Everyday wear, outdoor activities |
| Lyocell/Tencel | Excellent | Excellent | Fast | Very soft, cool | Good | Medium-High | Casual and dressy summer wear |
| Cotton | Good | Good | Slow | Soft, natural | Very Good | Low | Everyday wear, casual clothes |
| Rayon | Very Good | Very Good | Medium | Silky, cool | Fair | Low-Medium | Dresses, flowing garments |
| Modal | Good | Very Good | Medium | Extremely soft | Good | Medium | T-shirts, underwear, sleepwear |
| Silk | Good | Poor | Slow | Smooth, luxurious | Fair | Very High | Evening wear, special occasions |
| Athletic Polyester | Fair | Excellent | Very Fast | Smooth, synthetic | Excellent | Medium | Exercise clothes, sports |
| Regular Polyester | Poor | Poor | Fast | Often sticky | Excellent | Very Low | Best avoided in summer |
| Nylon | Poor | Poor | Very Fast | Smooth, synthetic | Excellent | Low | Swimwear, quick-dry needs |
Special Summer Fabric Considerations
Weave Matters
Even within the same fabric type, how the threads are woven together makes a huge difference for summer comfort. Looser weaves with more space between threads let more air through, which helps keep you cool.
Some summer-specific weaves include:
- Gauze: An ultra-lightweight, open weave often used in summer scarves and beach cover-ups
- Seersucker: A cotton fabric with a puckered surface that holds the fabric away from your skin, increasing airflow
- Jersey: A knit rather than woven fabric that has natural stretch and allows good airflow
- Chambray: Looks like lightweight denim but is much more breathable
- Eyelet: Fabric with small, decorative holes that increase airflow
Weight Matters Too
The thickness or weight of a fabric can be just as important as what it’s made from. A heavyweight linen might feel hotter than a lightweight cotton, for example.
Summer fabrics are usually measured in GSM (grams per square meter) or ounces. Lower numbers mean lighter fabrics. For hot weather, look for:
- Lightweight cotton: 100-150 GSM
- Summer linen: 150-250 GSM
- Light rayons: Under 150 GSM
Color Choice for Summer
The color of your clothes affects how much heat they absorb from the sun:
- White and light colors reflect sunlight and heat
- Dark colors absorb sunlight and heat up more quickly
- Black absorbs the most heat
This is why traditional clothing in very hot countries is often white or light-colored. However, for clothes that won’t be in direct sunlight (like underwear or indoor clothes), color matters less for temperature.
Best Fabrics by Situation
For Everyday Summer Wear
For regular summer days when you’re going to work, running errands, or hanging out with friends, these fabrics work well:
- Cotton for comfort and affordability
- Linen for maximum coolness (if you don’t mind wrinkles)
- Cotton-linen blends for a good mix of comfort and wrinkle resistance
- Lyocell for softness and moisture management
For Outdoor Activities
If you’ll be hiking, playing sports, or spending time outdoors in the heat:
- Moisture-wicking polyester athletic wear
- Hemp for durability and natural odor resistance
- Lightweight merino wool (surprisingly good in summer despite being wool!)
- Quick-dry nylon/spandex blends
For Formal Summer Events
For weddings, nice dinners, or work meetings in summer:
- Tropical weight wool (much lighter than regular wool)
- Linen or linen-blend suits and dresses
- Lightweight cotton poplin shirts
- Silk for evening events
- Lyocell blends for wrinkle resistance
FAQ About Summer Fabrics
Is 100% cotton the best fabric for summer?
Not necessarily. While cotton is good, fabrics like linen and hemp can be even better for very hot weather because they dry faster. The best summer fabric depends on the specific situation and your personal preferences.
Why do my synthetic shirts make me smell worse in summer?
Synthetic fabrics like polyester don’t absorb sweat as well as natural fibers. Instead, sweat and the bacteria that cause odor stay on your skin or in the fabric longer. Natural fibers like cotton and linen absorb sweat and allow it to evaporate, which helps reduce odor.
What’s the coolest fabric for summer pajamas?
Lightweight cotton is traditional and works well. Modal is another excellent choice for summer sleepwear because it’s ultra-soft and manages moisture well, which is helpful if you tend to sweat at night.
Are linen clothes worth the extra cost for summer?
If you live in a very hot or humid climate, linen can be worth the investment. No other natural fabric dries as quickly or feels as cool in extreme heat. However, you must be okay with wrinkles, as linen wrinkles very easily.
Can any fabric actually keep you cool in very hot weather?
No fabric can actually make you cooler than the air temperature around you, but breathable fabrics help your body’s natural cooling system work better by allowing sweat to evaporate. This evaporation process is what cools your skin.
Is bamboo fabric good for summer clothes?
Yes, bamboo fabric (which is actually a type of rayon) is excellent for summer. It’s very soft, breathable, and good at wicking moisture. Bamboo also has natural antimicrobial properties that help prevent odor when you sweat.
