Breathable fabrics are great for hot weather, workouts, or sleeping.
Read on for a guide to comfortable cotton, linen, polyester, and more.
(Spoiler: If youre looking to avoid sweat, cotton is not your friend.)
What is the most breathable fabric?
Linen
Linen is a highly breathable, plant-based fabric.
It sometimes wrinkles quickly, which may not appeal to everyone, adds Christy Dawn, co-founder ofChristy Dawn.
co-founder ofChristy Dawn
Bamboo
Bamboo is one of the most breathable fabrics for hot weather.
Bamboo is soft, naturally moisture-wicking and antibacterial.
Rayon
Rayon is a form of synthetic silk thats smooth and soft to the touch.
It can wick away moisture and is oftentimes used insummer skorts, dresses, and blouses.
Viscose
Viscose is commonly used in flowy garments like dresses since it has a fluid, air-like finish.
This throw in of rayon is made with ultra-thin fibers, making it a breathable fabric for humid weather.
Muslin
Muslin is a loosely woven cotton fabric that provides a level of breathabilitysimilar to linen.
Since muslin is a delicate fabric, its recommended to be hand-washed and laid flat to try.
Aside from clothing, muslin is also used to make quilts and home decor items.
co-founder ofChristy Dawn
Fabric blends
Fabric blends are very common as youll find multiple fabrics woven together to create more breathable types.
What makes fabric breathable?
Several elements contribute to the overall breathability of different fabrics.
See some of the most common fabrics to avoid if youre shopping for breathable clothing ahead.
Silk
Does silk make you sweat?
According to astudy from Materials1, cotton fabric generally has good hydrophilicity and poor sweat release.
Youre better off looking for a fabric blend of cotton and polyester if youre looking for breathable options.
How do cooling clothes work?
There are a few different mechanisms and technologies that aid in making cooling clothes functional.
Another method of cooling used by fabrics is evaporation of sweat.
What is moisture-wicking fabric?
Essentially, this means that fabric structure does impact breathability and comfort levels.
Additionally, the presence of less material helps prevent heat from staying trapped and building up additional moisture.
Plus, sometimes a lightweight fabric will make you feel more light, airy, and overall more comfortable.
Some common lightweight fabrics include linen, bamboo, and viscose to name a few.
What is the coolest fabric for summer?
Other fabrics that can be suitable for summer include man-made fabrics, commonly used in apparel from athleisure brands.
What is the best fabric for hot sleepers?
Haley Bennett, senior lead materials developer for Under Armour.
If you are a hot sleeper, then you may want to consider investing in breathable pajamas.
What fabric does not show sweat?
While breathable fabrics wont stop you from sweating, theyll help reduce the appearance of sweat on your clothes.
The moisture-wicking treatment moves the sweat to the surface of the fabric where it evaporates quickly, she adds.
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