7 Breathable (and Comfortable) Fabrics to Keep in Your Closet—Plus 4 to Avoid

If you’re someone who’s always hot, regardless of the weather, it’s imperative that you have breathable fabrics in your wardrobe to keep you from overheating. From airy workout clothes to breezy dresses, you’ll want to make sure every item in your closet is made of the type of breathable materials that promote airflow and keep your body feeling cool. “A breathable fabric should be lightweight, have an open construction, and, depending on the product, an added ventilation feature for optimum airflow,” says Haley Bennett, senior lead materials developer for Under Armour.

That said, it’s not always easy to tell what the products you’re buying are made of, especially if you’re shopping online, which can lead to sweat stains and uncomfortable day trips that end with you swapping outfits the minute you get home. To avoid this discomfort, we consulted experts to help us compose a list of the most breathable fabrics to keep in mind next time you’re looking to update your wardrobe—and a few not-so-breathable fabrics to avoid. See what stylists and textile experts had to say about different fabrics—including which breathable materials are best for summer and sleeping—ahead. (Spoiler: If you’re looking to avoid sweat, cotton is not your friend.)

What is the most breathable fabric?

1. Linen

Linen is a highly breathable, plant-based fabric. Its cool material is suitable for pants, t-shirts, and similar everyday pieces, whether that’s for Sunday brunches or those long travel days where you know you’re going to be cooped up in a small space for long periods of time. Not only does it have a loose weave, but also is quick drying which can reduce the appearance and feel of sweat. “It sometimes wrinkles quickly, which may not appeal to everyone,” adds Christy Dawn, co-founder of Christy Dawn. You may own a set of linen sheets or underwear since they are highly breathable making them ideal for hot sleepers and all-day wear.

2. Bamboo

Bamboo is one of the most breathable fabrics for hot weather. Bamboo is soft, naturally moisture-wicking and antibacterial. “It is eco-friendly and great for sensitive skin, but can sometimes be more expensive and may require special care,” says Dawn.

3. Rayon

Rayon is a form of synthetic silk that’s smooth and soft to the touch. It can wick away moisture and is oftentimes used in summer skorts, dresses, and blouses. When it comes to caring for rayon, it’s a delicate fabric so you’ll want to handle it with care and caution.

4. Viscose

Viscose is commonly used in flowy garments like dresses since it has a fluid, air-like finish. This type of rayon is made with ultra-thin fibers, making it a breathable fabric for humid weather. Keep in mind that viscose is sensitive to water, so you’ll want to wash your clothes with care—preferably, hand wash them if you’re able.

5. Chambray

This cotton-based fabric can look similar to denim with its simple over-under weave that leaves ample room for airflow and breathability. You’ll probably find a long maxi dress or t-shirt made from chambray that can be worn during the warm summer months without sacrificing style.

6. Muslin

Muslin is a loosely woven cotton fabric that provides a level of breathability similar to linen. Since muslin is a delicate fabric, it’s recommended to be hand-washed and laid flat to try. Aside from clothing, muslin is also used to make quilts and home decor items.

7. Fabric blends

Fabric blends are very common as you’ll find multiple fabrics woven together to create more breathable types. For example, elastane and nylon are typically woven together to help provide moisture-wicking properties in athleisure apparel and yoga leggings.

What makes fabric breathable?

Several elements contribute to the overall breathability of different fabrics. According to Marina Paul, founder of SPRHRA, breathable fabric means that the fabric is made with materials that allow air to flow through it. “Air pockets are tiny holes or pores within the material and even when the fabric is thick, the air pockets allow for air to pass to the body and out from the body,” she adds. Additionally, the best breathable fabrics for summer and beyond tend to be designed with looser weaves and thinner yarn. You’ll want to check the label to see the materials your garments are made from and look on the brand’s website to see if they have any information on the design process.

What fabrics are not breathable?

In an ideal world, every fabric would be breathable and make for perfect all-day wear in any weather or environment. Since this isn’t the case, though, it’s important to be aware of which fabrics are less breathable and may cause a higher build-up of moisture. See some of the most common fabrics to avoid if you’re shopping for breathable clothing ahead.

Silk

Does silk make you sweat? The fabric itself is lightweight and breathable so it won’t make you inherently sweat, however, if you get even the tiniest drop of sweat on it, you’ll be able to see it. Some silk is also thicker than others so you’ll want to feel it out before wearing it (aka, not all silk is created equal.)

Merino wool

While it can be breathable, Merino wool is much less so compared to other fabrics. According to Anderson, heavy-weight fabrics like wool can hinder air circulation on your skin, which is the opposite of breathable. On the contrary, if you’re looking for fabric to keep you warm, merino wool is perfect for sweaters, blouses, and other everyday closet staples.

Cotton

This one might come as a surprise, but cotton is not the most breathable fabric you can reach for. According to a study from Materials¹, cotton fabric generally has good hydrophilicity and poor sweat release. “The fibers in cotton fabric are great at absorbing sweat, which often causes a heavy, scratchy sensation,” says Paul. You’re better off looking for a fabric blend of cotton and polyester if you’re looking for breathable options.

Polyester

Polyester is one of the least breathable fabrics on the market since it’s moisture-resistant, so you’ll feel a layer of sweat between your skin and the fabric all day long. In some cases, the polyester can be treated to be moisture-wicking which can help, but you’ll want to double-check before purchasing.

How do cooling clothes work?

There are a few different mechanisms and technologies that aid in making cooling clothes functional. “One of these functions is heat transfer (or conductivity) that allows heat to be pulled away from your body by a fabric, which gives the material an instant coolant feel,” says Bennett. “Another method of cooling used by fabrics is evaporation of sweat. A good material will allow moisture vapor to wick away from your body and transfer to the surface of a fabric so the sweat can evaporate.”

What is moisture-wicking fabric?

According to Michelle Anderson, co-founder and lead designer at Sierra Madre Golf, moisture-wicking fabric is designed to move sweat away from your skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it can evaporate quickly. “This helps speed up the process of sweat (or water) evaporating and not only keeps you dry but cools you down as well,” says Maggie Gillette, fashion expert and co-founder of Chicago Fashion Week.

How to pick the most breathable fabric

Look at the fabric structure

The way the fabric is constructed can play a role in how breathable it is for everyday wear and exercise. In a study published in Sports Medicine Open², thermal sensation was significantly improved when exercising in synthetic t-shirts using medium (3 mm) and larger (3.5 mm) knit sizes compared to small knit sizes (2 mm) in a hot and humid climate. Essentially, this means that fabric structure does impact breathability and comfort levels.

Consider the weight and density

According to Dawn, lighter fabrics generally offer better breathability because they generally have more room for air to flow through. 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?

Our stylists and textile experts agree that the coolest fabric for summer is linen since it’s lightweight, breathable, and quick drying, making it ideal for those warmer temperatures. Other fabrics that can be suitable for summer include man-made fabrics, commonly used in apparel from athleisure brands. For example, Under Armour’s clothing is made with Iso-chill technology that’s built with a special yarn that is cool to the touch and allows for continuous cooling while being worn.

What is the best fabric for hot sleepers?

“If a fabric has a natural fiber component, this can help add to the fabric feeling cool and soft, and a synthetic fiber blended with natural fibers will help wick away moisture.” —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. “In general, the best fabrics for hot sleepers are soft and have a wicking function for occasions where you may sweat and want to stay dry for sleeping comfort,” says Bennett. “If a fabric has a natural fiber component, this can help add to the fabric feeling cool and soft, and a synthetic fiber blended with natural fibers will help wick away moisture.”

What fabric does not show sweat?

Whether you’re working out at the gym or out running errands, you don’t want to have sweat stains on your clothes. While breathable fabrics won’t stop you from sweating, they’ll help reduce the appearance of sweat on your clothes. According to Anderson, typically, moisture-wicking synthetic blends like polyester and nylon blends do the best at not showing sweat. “The moisture-wicking treatment moves the sweat to the surface of the fabric where it evaporates quickly,” she adds.

Final thoughts on breathable fabrics

The best breathable fabrics are those that are lightweight, loosely woven together, and have moisture-wicking properties. Some fabrics can be treated to make them cooler and more comfortable, however, you’ll want to check with the retailer to see what the process is like. Also, wearing a specific breathable fabric isn’t going to make you stop sweating altogether, but it can make your clothes last longer and majorly enhance your comfort levels, which is a win in our books.