TAFANELLI NOTEBOOKS | THE WORKSHOP

What material to wear when it's very hot? The guide to summer fabrics

When the thermometer starts to climb, the right garment isn't about the color, but the material. Certain fibers keep you cool and dry; others turn the slightest ray of sunshine into a portable sauna. Cotton, linen, hemp, synthetics: here is the clear guide to the fabrics to choose — and to avoid — when it's very hot.

The principle: breathe and wick

To understand what material to wear, you need to know what a good summer fabric should do: let air pass through (breathe) and manage perspiration (absorb it and then evaporate it to keep you dry). It is the combination of both that provides the feeling of coolness.

However, not all fibers are created equal in this regard. Natural fibers (linen, cotton, hemp) are, by nature, breathable and absorbent. Synthetic fibers (polyester, nylon, etc.) tend to trap heat and moisture against the skin. Everything starts there.

A summer garment is not what protects you from the sun; it is what lets your body do its job: sweat and cool down. The right fabric does not fight the heat, it supports it.

Linen, the king of summer

If you could only choose one, this would be it. Linen is probably the best material in existence for high temperatures.

Ultra-breathable: its hollow fibers and its weave let air circulate freely.
Thermoregulating: it draws heat away from the body and provides a real feeling of freshness on contact.
Absorbent and quick-drying: it captures perspiration and dries quickly, without sticking to the skin.
Natural and durable: an eco-friendly fiber that improves and softens with time.

Its only "flaw": it wrinkles. But these wrinkles are exactly what give it its charm, casual and Mediterranean. For summer, linen is unbeatable.

Cotton, universal comfort

Cotton is the quintessential summer material, and for good reasons: it is soft, breathable, absorbent, and pleasant to wear all day long. It is the t-shirt fiber, the one you keep for years.

A nuance, however: cotton absorbs perspiration but dries more slowly than linen. For summer, we therefore prefer a cotton with an airy weave and quality, neither too heavy nor too synthetically blended. A beautiful, breathable cotton, in a cut that lets air circulate, remains an unbeatable choice for comfort and versatility — from morning at the beach to dinner.

Hemp, the sustainable outsider

Less well-known, hemp deserves a place in the sun. Close to linen in its qualities, it is very breathable, resistant, antibacterial (it limits odors), and among the most eco-friendly fibers there are. It also softens with use. A great alternative for those looking for a robust and cool natural material.

Synthetics: to be avoided (with one exception)

Here are the materials to avoid when it is very hot: polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Derived from plastic, these fibers do not breathe, trap heat and humidity against the skin, and retain odors. In the middle of a heatwave, a 100% polyester t-shirt quickly becomes a nightmare.

The exception: technical sports fabrics, designed specifically to wick away sweat during exertion. But for everyday life, under the sun, nothing replaces a natural fiber. Be wary of blends with high synthetic content, often chosen to lower costs at the expense of comfort.

Beyond the fiber: weave, weight, cut

The fiber isn't everything. Three other factors matter immensely:

The weave: the airier it is, the more air passes through. A loose weave keeps you cooler.
The weight: a lighter fabric will stay cooler in the heat than a very thick one.
The cut: a slightly loose garment lets air circulate between the fabric and the skin — the best of air conditioners. This is also why the color actually matters very little once there is air circulating.

The right reflex for very hot weather

To remember, simply:

Priority to natural fibers: linen first, then cotton and hemp.
Avoid all-synthetic (polyester, nylon) for daily summer wear.
Aim for an airy weave and a light weight.
Choose a breathable cut, neither sticky nor suffocating.
Always check the composition label before buying: that is where the truth lies.

With these reflexes, you will get through the summer light, dry, and comfortable — whatever the temperature.

TAFANELLI cotton

At TAFANELLI, the material is not a detail: it is the starting point. Our t-shirts are cut from a quality, breathable cotton, chosen to withstand the Mediterranean heat without ever suffocating — and designed to last for years, not one season. That is our definition of a summer piece: beautiful, honest, and comfortable even in the scorching sun.

The wardrobe for cool summers: