In summer, choosing the right material is often more important than the cut of the clothing itself. Even the best-tailored dress or jacket will not provide comfort if the fabric traps heat and restricts airflow. Which fabrics actually perform well during hot weather? Below, you will find a list of materials worth having in your summer wardrobe, as well as practical tips on what to look for when choosing them.
What happens when clothing is not breathable?
Before we move on to specific materials, it is worth understanding why the breathability of a fabric is so important during heatwaves. When a material hinders airflow and traps moisture, the body struggles more with natural thermoregulation—that is, releasing excess heat. As a result, even a short walk in direct sunlight or a few hours spent outdoors can cause significantly more discomfort.
In practice, this can mean:
- faster overheating of the body,
- a feeling of stickiness and discomfort after just a short time in the sun,
- increased perspiration and slower moisture evaporation,
- skin changes, redness, and breakouts,
- increased risk of skin irritation and chafing, especially in areas prone to friction,
- less comfort during long hours of sightseeing, traveling, or working.
This does not mean that all synthetic materials are a poor choice. Modern technical fibers used in sportswear are designed to effectively wick away moisture during intense physical activity. However, in an everyday wardrobe, especially during hot weather, it is worth reaching for clothes made of natural or regenerated fibers that provide better breathability and greater wearing comfort.
What qualities should a summer fabric have?
Comfort during high temperatures depends primarily on the properties of the fabric—including its composition, but not only that. A good summer material should:
- ensure free airflow,
- wick away moisture well,
- be pleasant against the skin,
- not cause a feeling of overheating,
- maintain an aesthetic appearance despite frequent wear.
Comfort is also influenced by the weight of the material, its weave, and the suitably chosen cut of the clothing.
A guide to summer fabrics
Let’s move on to a list of materials that will allow you to feel comfortable even during the hottest days.
1. Linen — the best material for extreme heat
If the goal is maximum comfort during very high temperatures, linen remains one of the best choices. Natural fibers provide excellent air circulation, making it easier for the body to release heat. Linen effectively absorbs moisture and wicks it away quickly, leaving a pleasant feeling of freshness even after hours in the sun. Characteristic wrinkles are a natural feature of this fabric and are part of its aesthetic.
Linen works best during:
- vacation trips and excursions, when comfort is a priority and you have many hours of travel or sightseeing ahead,
- work in high temperatures, when you want a professional look but a classic cotton shirt is too warm,
- summer outfits with a casual, vacation vibe.
2. Viscose — elegance and lightness for summer
Viscose has been one of the most popular summer fabrics for years. It is soft, delicate, and pleasantly cool to the touch, making it suitable even for long hours of wear. Due to its softness and subtle sheen, it is sometimes compared to silk, while being a much more accessible, low-maintenance, and affordable material. It looks particularly elegant in a satin finish, creating a flowing drape. You will also often find viscose in blends with linen or cotton, which allows for combining the advantages of several fibers in one material.
It is most often used to produce dresses, skirts, shirts, and lightweight trousers.
3. Lyocell — a modern alternative to classic fabrics
Lyocell (often found under the name TENCEL™ Lyocell) is a material made from cellulose fibers, valued for its exceptional softness and high wearing comfort. The fabric wicks away moisture well, is gentle on the skin, and keeps a fresh look for a long time. Additionally, it wrinkles less than linen, which is why it works great during travel and vacation trips.
Fun fact: TENCEL™ is a brand of lyocell fiber. You will very often see the TENCEL™ label in stores, so it is worth knowing that it is not a separate type of material. TENCEL™ is a registered trademark for lyocell fibers produced by the company Lenzing. They are characterized by softness, good breathability, and effective moisture wicking, which is why they work great in a summer wardrobe.
4. Cotton — a timeless classic
Good-quality cotton is also a proven material for summer. For a summer wardrobe, it is worth choosing cotton with a lower weight, which provides better air circulation and greater comfort during high temperatures. It is a widely available material, even in high-street stores, used for every type of clothing.
Other materials that also perform well in summer
Silk — a luxurious option for special occasions
Silk is a natural fiber valued for its lightness, softness, and very pleasant contact with the skin. It regulates body temperature well—on hot days it provides a cooling sensation, and in the evening it helps maintain thermal comfort. It is an excellent choice for summer celebrations, elegant dinners, or weddings. It is worth remembering, however, that silk requires more delicate care than linen or cotton, and its price is significantly higher.
Bamboo — soft and gentle on the skin
Bamboo fabrics are distinguished by exceptional softness and good breathability. They are increasingly used in the production of summer clothing, e.g., t-shirts or dresses. Bamboo wicks away moisture very well, ensuring comfort during high temperatures. It is a popular choice among people with sensitive skin due to its delicacy. It is worth paying attention to the composition, however—many products described as "bamboo" are made from regenerated fibers, not natural bamboo fibers.
Rayon — a close relative of viscose
Rayon is a name used primarily outside of Europe for a group of regenerated cellulose fibers. In practice, many fabrics labeled as rayon have properties very similar to viscose—they are lightweight, breathable, and drape well on the silhouette. If you find rayon on a tag, you can expect comfort comparable to good-quality viscose.
Cupro — elegance and lightness for warm days
Cupro is a regenerated fiber made from cotton linters, distinguished by an extremely soft touch and a subtle, silky sheen. It is lightweight, breathable, and pleasantly cool to the touch, making it perfect for summer days.
The material drapes beautifully on the silhouette, which is why it is often used for elegant dresses, wide-leg trousers, or flowing shirts. Cupro is an interesting alternative to silk, offering a similar visual effect with easier care.
How to choose clothes for summer?
The fabric composition alone is not the only determinant of comfort. When assembling your summer wardrobe, it is worth keeping a few practical rules in mind:
- choose looser cuts that provide better air circulation and reduce the risk of chafing,
- remember that some natural fabrics, such as linen or viscose, may shrink slightly after the first wash—if you plan any tailoring adjustments, it is best to do them only after washing the garment,
- light colors reflect more sunlight than very dark ones, which is why they often provide greater comfort during hot weather,
- in changeable weather—cool mornings and evenings, hot days, or heavily air-conditioned interiors—several thin layers usually work better than one thick fabric,
- pay attention not only to the composition but also to the quality of workmanship and the weight of the material—lightweight fabrics will be more comfortable during high temperatures.
Summer materials in ANSIN collections
The Sun Reflections and Soft Reflections collections include models made from materials that perform particularly well during the summer months. Linen, viscose, lyocell, and high-quality cotton appear in dresses, shirts, and trousers, as well as lightweight sets or tops, making it easy to create a wardrobe tailored to various occasions.
When designing summer collections, we focus on fabrics that ensure wearing comfort as well as timeless styles that can be used both during vacation trips and in everyday life—at work, while walking, or at summer social gatherings.
See the Sun Reflections and Soft Reflections collections and choose materials that will allow you to feel comfortable even on the hottest days.
Summary
Comfort during hot weather largely depends on the material the clothing is made of. Linen provides the highest breathability, viscose delights with its lightness, lyocell combines softness with modern performance properties, and cotton remains a versatile base for a summer wardrobe. Consciously choosing fabrics allows you to create a closet that will prove itself both during vacation trips and in everyday life in the city.
FAQ 1. Which material is the best for extreme heat? If maximum breathability is the priority, linen works best. The natural structure of the fibers facilitates air circulation and helps reduce the feeling of overheating. 2. Is viscose a good material for summer? Yes. Viscose is lightweight, soft, and pleasantly cool to the touch. It drapes well on the silhouette, which is why it is often used for summer dresses, shirts, and trousers. 3. What is better for summer — cotton or linen? Both materials have their advantages. Linen performs better during the hottest weather, while cotton is more versatile and easier to care for in everyday use. 4. Will lyocell work well during vacation trips? Yes. Lyocell is lightweight, wicks moisture well, and wrinkles less than linen, which is why it is great in a suitcase and during intense sightseeing. 5. Which materials should be avoided during hot weather? In very high temperatures, clothing made of fabrics with a high polyester content or other synthetic fibers may be less comfortable, especially if the material is thick and has limited breathability.
Miss Artemis Cinnamon Bodysuit
"In summer, the fabric determines the comfort. Natural and regenerated fibers—linen, viscose, lyocell, or cupro—allow you to look elegant and simultaneously feel at ease even in the greatest heat. That is why we start with the material when designing summer collections."
Martyna from ANSIN
