Cotton is generally considered to be cooler than polyester in summer because it is a natural fiber that allows air to circulate through the fabric, helping to evaporate sweat and keep you cool.
Stylish wool. Yes, you read that right! You might think wool is just for winter, but the qualities that make it keep you warm mean it also keeps you cool in summer. Super-fine merino wool can be as light as cotton, is breathable, moisture-absorbing, antimicrobial (so it won't smell), and offers UV protection.
Most people believe that cotton is a poor choice for hot days. However, cotton is one of the most highly breathable fabrics available, making them a slightly better option than other fabrics, like polyester or rayon.
As a general rule, we recommend you stay away from synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon in hot and humid weather conditions since these materials tend to trap odors and bacteria. Garments made of synthetic materials cannot breathe and will trap the heat and make you feel warm.
Cotton is unsurprisingly the most common summer fabric. This natural and lightweight fabric is ideal for summertime wear. Linen is a natural cloth made from flax fibres.
SPORTINGTEX® Cooling Textile / Cooling Fabric uses the special natural low–temperature mineral and build it into fiber to slow the speed rising of fabric temperature. While cooling fabric touches heat sources (like skin), it helps to release heat swiftly to the fabric.
Cotton broadcloth is a tightly woven plain weave fabric comprised of 60% cotton and 40% polyester. This light to medium weight fabric is 58/60" wide broadcloth weighs approximately 7oz per linear yard and has a soft breathable finish, making it ideal for all types of crafts and garments.
"Polyester and most synthetics are considered hydrophobic, so they're water repellent," Ms Lamarche says. When a hydrophobic fabric like polyester or nylon is tightly woven, like the shiny lining of a dress, it traps the sweat and can make you hotter.
Polyester: Polyester is durable and water-resistant, but don't let these words fool you. Polyester doesn't absorb sweat; in fact, it might make you sweat even more. The moisture sits on your skin or gets pushed to your outer layer — the complete opposite effect you want from a sweat-blocking material.
Wear breathable light-colored fabrics like cotton, linen, and jersey to stay cool and attract the least heat. Opt for looser styles of clothing that are short-sleeved or sleeveless to let your skin breathe and avoid sweat pooling. Accessorize with protective gear like sunglasses and brimmed hats to look and feel cool.
Cotton and polyester couldn't be more different. Cotton is natural, breathable, absorbent, and sustainable. Polyester, on the other hand, is a synthetic fiber that doesn't breathe well, repels water, and isn't sustainable.
Coated fabrics are a common heat resistant fabric that are used in many industries. These fabrics are often used for protection purposes as they block the heat. Typical coatings include neoprene, silicone, ceramic, and refractory.
Wool keeps you warm in cold weather and cool in warm weather by releasing body heat and wicking moisture away. Polyester, however, doesn't help with body temperature regulation and can trap heat and humidity. If you're comparing polyester vs. wool for warmth, wool is the better choice.
If you compare linen vs cotton sheets in terms of breathability, another major difference emerges — linen will keep you much cooler at night because of its longer fibers and, therefore, looser weave. Air can pass through linen more easily, keeping your body cool.
Cotton doesn't make a great insulator. It is too breathable and doesn't do a good job of trapping body heat. The clear winner for insulation is fleece. It has all the great insulating qualities, whereas cotton lacks them.
Cotton. Cotton is a natural, breathable material ideal for any climate all year round. It allows air to flow freely through the fabric, keeping you cool and dry while you lounge outside. Cotton is also a great choice for people with sensitive skin, as it's considered a hypoallergenic fabric.
Hemp, produced from the Cannabis plant, is a very breathable fabric with very high moisture wicking abilities. Hence, it is ideal for hot climates, especially Indian summers.
Linen is one of the most breathable fabrics for hot weather conditions. This shirt is made from 100% linen material and features a versatile cut that fits effortlessly. You can easily pair this with shorts, jeans and skirts for an elegant look.
Summertime clothing should not contain synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon since they are not breathable. Although these materials are light, they cannot cause you to develop sweat stains and do not at all absorb sweat.
Polyester. While not a great choice for lounging around in during the summer, especially with the likes of cotton and linen offering superior alternatives, polyester is an excellent wicking material that can be used to draw sweat away from the body and allow it to evaporate much more quickly.
Here we can see that water vapor permeability of the 80%/20% cotton-polyester is lowest so we can say it is most preferable to use in the winter season. And 100% cotton will be most preferable to use in the summer season.