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When temperatures soar and humidity climbs, could your clothing be the deciding factor between comfort and misery? While sunscreen protects your skin and proper hydration keeps your body functioning, choosing the right fabrics could be your secret weapon against sweltering heat.

From moisture-wicking athletic wear to resort-chic luxurious linen, we’re breaking down the science of staying cool. So if you're planning a tropical vacation, suffering through a scorching summer commute, or you’re simply a heavy sweater no matter the weather (like me!), this guide will help you build a wardrobe that works as hard as your air conditioner.

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The Science of Staying Cool: How Fabrics Affect Body Temperature

It’s no secret that rising temperatures are sending heat waves across the country, and the next five-year forecast isn’t looking any better. So while our meteorologists monitor the weather, we're looking at how the clothing fabric you choose may also be affecting your body temperatures.

There’s three important factors that influence how hot we feel wearing certain types of clothing:

1. Evaporation: The body cools itself as sweat evaporates from the skin, including the forehead, armpits, palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sweating regulates body temperature in extreme environments or during exercise. Humidity, however, can play an important role in evaporation – at low humidity, the sweat droplets may fully evaporate, while at high humidity, sweat may stay in its liquid form.
2. Heat transfer: Heat transfer can depend on the air that is trapped in or on clothing. For example, trapping air within certain fabric fibers will keep you warmer as the air stays close and circulating near the skin. Likewise, heat can also be shifted from one object to another that has a lower temperature – this facilitates the dissipation of body heat.
3. Airflow: Hand in hand with heat transfer, the amount of airflow a fabric allows to pass through will impact the relative heat or coolness of the wearer. In summer, breathable material will have looser, sparser or thinner fabric weaves to allow for more airflow. For winter clothing, the fabrics are denser, adding more resistance of airflow that will retain more heat closer to the body.

One other common suggestion is that light-colored clothing will reflect light and heat better than dark clothing, but some studies have suggested it’s less about the clothing color and more about the fabric looseness and airflow.

Fabric Choices And Hot Weather: What To Pick And When

There’s three main fabric types designed to lower your temperature in hot conditions: natural fibers, synthetic and synthetic blends.

1. Linen

Linen is a natural fiber fabric and a great warm weather option due to its breathability (thanks to loose weave and flax fibers), moisture-wicking capabilities and looser fit. The flax fibers are a little rougher, but typically last longer than traditional cotton.

2. Cotton

Another natural fiber option, cotton fabrics allow for better airflow. It’s also a moisture-wicking fabric, absorbing water or sweat and then evaporating. It’s an ideal option for both warm and cold weather, since some clothing options are available in a thicker weave such as denim or canvas.

Loose-fitting cotton options include gauze, muslin, flannel and jersey, chambray and seersucker.

3. Silk

Silk is considered a cooling fabric, but can be tough to wear in extremely warm weather due its moderately insulating characteristics. Silk is softer and smoother fabric, but slightly less moisture wicking when compared to cotton. If you sweat a lot, it can become noticeable due to the fabric quality.

4. Polyester, nylon and synthetic blends

We’re not talking about your grandpa’s polyester. Traditional polyester traps heat and holds onto moisture, but modern polyester fabrics have been designed with cooling in mind.

Synthetic blends that combine fabrics like polyester and nylon are commonly used in athletic wear like Nike Dri-FIT and sun shirts due to its moisture-wicking properties that absorb sweat and dry quickly. They are easy to care for, hold their shape and don’t wrinkle nearly as much as their natural fiber counterparts.

Essential Hot Weather Clothing And Accessories

In the list below, we’ve sourced some of our favorite warm weather clothing and accessories for women and men, including luxurious linen, slithery silks and moisture-wicking sun shirts that will keep you cool all summer long.

Linen & Silk Summer Clothing Essentials

1. Quince 100% European Linen Tank

Price: $29.90, was $70 - 57% off at Quince

Features:

• Made from sustainable European flax linen
• Breathable and temperature-regulating
• Lightweight, durable, and hypoallergenic fabric perfect for layering or wearing solo
• Features button keyhole detail at back neck
• OEKO-TEX certified for safety and quality

2. Fit & Flare Sleeveless Linen-Blend Midi Dress

Price: $24.99, was $49.99 -50% off at Old Navy

Features:

• Flattering sweetheart neckline with wide shoulder straps
• Practical on-seam pockets and smocked back detail
• Comfortable linen-viscose blend (55% linen, 45% rayon)
• Machine washable for easy care

3. Quince 100% Washable Silk Mini Skirt

Price: $59.90, was $128 - 53% off at Quince

Features:

• Made from 100% washable mulberry silk with luxurious satin finish
• Premium 19mm fabric weight for drape and feel
• Hidden elastic waistband for comfortable, easy fit
• OEKO-TEX certified for safety and quality

4. J.Crew Short-Sleeve Baird McNutt Irish Linen Shirt

Price: $98, select colors $87.99 at J.Crew

Features:

• Made from 100% linen, machine washable
• Irish linen known for exceptional softness and quality
• Classic patch pockets and relaxed summer styling

5. Summerweight Short-Sleeve Quinn Shirt

Price: $65 with code SUN at checkout - 23% off at UnTUCKit

Features:

• Lightweight cotton-linen blend ideal for hot weather
• Spread collar design
• Single chest pocket
• Breathable fabric

6. Quice 100% European Linen Pants

Price: $49.90, was $128 - 61% off at Quince

Features:

• European linen that's breathable, lightweight, and eco-friendly according to the company
• Drawstring elastic waist with angled front pockets and welt back pockets
• Zip fly construction with durable, hypoallergenic fabric
• OEKO-TEX certified and produced in BSCI certified factories

Athletic Wear Summer Essentials

7. baleaf Women's Short Sleeve UPF 50+ Sun Shirt

Price: $14.42, was $19.99 - 28% off at Amazon

Features:

• UPF 50+ protection blocks 98% of harmful UV rays
• Quick-drying, moisture-wicking fabric with tag-free comfort
• High-low hem with side slits for freedom of movement

8. Nike Pro 365 Women’s 5-inch Shorts

Price: $19.97, was $32 - 37% off at Nike

Features:

• Stretchy Dri-FIT fabric for support during intense workouts
• Mid-rise with wide elastic waistband
• Curved seams designed to flatter natural shape
• Tight fit with 5-inch inseam
• Made with recycled materials

9. ANRABESS Women Athletic Dress

Price: $29.99, was $34.99 - 14% off at Amazon

Features:

• Mini dress with built-in shapewear and spaghetti straps
• V-neck design with convenient patch pockets
• Soft poly-rayon-spandex blend (60/35/5%) for comfort and stretch
• Versatile for workouts, beach or casual wear

10. Men’s Active Quick Dry Crew Neck T Shirts (5-Pack)

Price: $39.95 at Amazon

Features:

• Set of five athletic crew neck shirts in solid colors
• Quick-dry fabric with moisture-wicking technology
• Stretch construction and tag-free design
• 88% polyester, 12% spandex blend for performance and comfort

11. Kobe Dri-FIT Basketball Shorts

Price: $28.97, was $45 - 35% off at Nike

Features:

• Premium dual-layer build with breathable mesh lining
• Nike Dri-FIT technology for sweat management
• Elastic waistband with drawcord and side pockets
• Embroidered Kobe Sheath and Swoosh logos

Cooling Scarves & Wraps Summer Essentials

12. AWAYTR 35-inch Satin Large Square Head Scarves

Price: $14.99 at Amazon

Features:

• Set of four large satin scarves (35" x 35")
• Versatile styling as headscarf, neckerchief, hair band or shawl
• Smooth, lightweight 100% polyester fabric

13. MISSION Cooling Hoodie Towel

Price: $22.99 at Amazon

Features:

• Hooded design drapes over head and body
• HydroActive technology provides up to two hours of cooling relief according to company
• Lightweight fabric with UPF 50 sun protection
• Machine washable with odor-resistant properties

14. MISSION Original Cooling Towel

Price: $16.99 at Amazon

Features:

• HydroActive technology cools up to 30 degrees below body temperature in under 1 minute, according to the company page
• Stays cool for up to two hours when wet
• Lightweight with UPF 50 sun protection
• Machine washable and odor-resistant

15. MISSION Cooling UPF Performance Hat

Price: $25.99, was $29.99 - 13% off at Amazon

Features:

• Water and sweat-activated cooling technology lowers temperature up to 30 degrees, according to the company
• UPF 50 protection blocks 98% of UV rays
• Adjustable hook-and-loop closure fits head sizes 6 1/2 to 7 3/4
• Breathable, lightweight design that's machine washable and odor-free

16. Unisex Cushioned Compression Athletic Ankle Socks

Price: $14.93, was $23.99 - 38% off at Amazon

Features:

• Targeted compression (16-19 mmHg) for improved circulation and arch support
• Left and right foot-specific design with cushioned sole for shock absorption
• Moisture-wicking fabric with air-flow channels keeps feet dry and odor-free according to company
• No-show design ideal for running, hiking, golf and gym workouts

Beat The Head: More Summer Heat Protection

If you’re looking for more ways to protect your skin from the sun or combat that summer heat, check out our in-depth buying guides for sunscreen, sun protection essentials and other ‘chill’ home products.

• Best Sunscreen Of 2025: Our Top 10 Picks (Tested And Reviewed)
• Top Rated Sun Shirts For The Entire Family
• 15 Sun Protection Essentials You Can Stash In Your Car, Backpack Or Purse
• A Complete Guide To Portable Air Conditioners
• Dehumidifier Guide: How It Works And Our Top Picks

Prices accurate and items in stock at time of publish.