When the temperature rises, staying cool is essential, and cooling clothes can make a significant difference. From ultra-breathable dresses to lightweight pants, here are some top-rated and expert-recommended options to keep you comfortable during the hottest days of summer.
1. Breathable Dresses
- Material: Look for dresses made from moisture-wicking fabrics like polyester or nylon. These materials help pull sweat away from your body, keeping you cooler.
- Styles to Consider: A-line or loose-fitting sundresses offer both comfort and airflow, making them perfect for casual outings.
2. Lightweight Pants
- Features: Choose pants made from lightweight, breathable fabrics that provide UV protection. Look for features like mesh panels for added ventilation.
- Best Options: Linen or technical fabrics designed for outdoor activities are excellent choices for summer hikes.
3. Cooling Activewear
- Tech Fabrics: Opt for activewear that incorporates cooling technologies, such as fabric that absorbs and evaporates sweat quickly.
- Popular Picks: Look for brands known for their performance gear, like Under Armour or Nike, which often feature breathable, moisture-wicking materials.
4. UV-Protective Tops
- Functionality: Shirts with built-in UV protection not only shield you from the sun but also often use breathable materials to help regulate temperature.
- Ideal Styles: Short-sleeved or sleeveless options are great for maximum airflow while keeping you protected.
5. Cooling Accessories
- Neck Gaiters & Headbands: These can help wick away sweat and provide a cooling sensation against your skin. Look for options that incorporate cooling technology.
- Lightweight Scarves: A thin, moisture-wicking scarf can be stylish and functional, offering relief when draped around your neck.
6. Sandals with Breathability
- Open-toe Designs: Choose sandals with open designs that allow for airflow and prevent sweaty feet.
- Materials: Look for options made with quick-drying materials to keep your feet comfortable.
Tips for Staying Cool
- Layer Wisely: If you’re wearing layers, opt for lightweight, breathable materials that won’t trap heat.
- Stay Hydrated: No matter what you’re wearing, hydration is key to staying cool.
- Plan Around the Heat: If possible, schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late afternoon.
Investing in the right cooling clothes can make your summer more enjoyable and bearable. Choose styles that fit your lifestyle and enjoy the sunshine while staying comfortable!
Cooling shirts
Free Country The Everybody SunFree UPF Hoodie
Searching for a hoodie that will keep you cool when it’s hot outside? Our social coordinator, Gabriella Triolo, recommends this one from Free Country. In addition to polyester and spandex, the hoodie is made with zinc for its UV-blocking and anti-odor properties, as well as jade, which keeps the hoodie feeling cold to the touch.
$52 at Free Country
Free Fly Apparel Men’s Bamboo Shade Hoodie
Kai Burkhardt, our outdoors, sustainable living and pets editor, fell in love with this hoodie that one of our writers recently reviewed. According to Burkhardt, “the material is incredibly soft but lightweight enough to wear in the intense Colorado sun.” He also notes that it keeps his arms and neck protected and “has tons of airflow to help cool me down even on intense hikes.”
$74 at Free Fly Apparel
Endura Women’s Cloud Tee
Associate testing writer Carolina Gazal is a fan of this lightweight, sweat-wicking graphic tee, which does a great job at keeping her cool and dry in the heat. Made from 80% recycled fabric, the shirt has a slim fit and is available in a gray and red design. “It’s also made with mesh panels for enhanced ventilation, which is ideal for running around this summer,” Gazal says.
$60 at Endura
Kühl Long-Sleeve Eclipser Hoodie
This is another favorite of Burkhardt’s. “The nylon blend is so lightweight you barely feel like you’re wearing it,” he says, “and it’s packed with UPF 50+ protection so you won’t get torched by the sun.” He wore this while climbing the Via Ferrata at Arapahoe Basin Ski Resort and was impressed by “how it dealt with intense activity, harsh sun and even some gusting winds.”
$89 at Kühl
Cooling dresses
Columbia PFG Freezer III Dress
I fell in love with this bestselling dress after reviewing it earlier this month. In addition to keeping you cool, thanks to Columbia’s Omni-Freeze technology, the sweat-wicking material will keep you dry and comfortable throughout the day. It also has a UPF 50 rating, which is great if you’re also shopping for clothes that will help protect you from UV rays.
$55 From $17 at Amazon
$55 $41 at Columbia
32 Degrees Women’s Cool Flowy Bra Dress
This flowy dress from 32 Degrees is made from polyester and spandex, which feels smooth and cool on the skin. It’s made of moisture-wicking material, has built-in bra cups and adjustable straps. Reviewers praise the dress for being comfortable and affordable, with one reviewer writing, “Love this dress. It’s easy, it’s breezy, it’s perfect.”
$10 at 32 Degrees
All in Motion Women’s Flex Strappy Active Dress
Gazal recently purchased this dress from Target that will keep you from overheating even when you’re running a thousand errands. Available in sizes XS to 4X, the dress comes in three colors and has a UPF rating of 50+. “The pockets and built-in shorts were life-changing, but what really stood out was the moisture-wicking and quick-drying fabric,” Gazal says.
$30 $24 at Target
Cooling bottoms
Thigh Society The Cooling Shorts
Our beauty and fashion editor, Sophie Shaw, owns these stretchy, anti-chafing shorts and loves them. “The performance fabric pulls heat and moisture away from the body,” she says, “and I swear I could feel this working on a particularly sweaty day in the city.”
$39 at Thigh Society
Outdoor Vitals Skyline Trail Joggers
“I’ve been testing out these lightweight, ultra-breathable joggers for a couple of months now and they’ve been my go-to for hot weather,” Burkhardt says. The joggers, which are designed for hiking, have “mesh all along the waistline, down the thigh and in the crotch for maximum breathability.” They are also quick-drying, odor-resistant and have an elasticated waistband and hem.
Cooling pajamas
Soma Cool Nights Tank and Shorts Set
When we asked stylists about their favorite cooling pajamas, Audree Kate López, a New York-based fashion stylist and editor shared that this cooling set is one of her favorites. Available in three colors and in sizes XS to XL, the tank and shorts are made from rayon, which has a cool-to-the-touch feel that hot sleepers will appreciate.
$84 $70 at Soma
Lunya Washable Silk Tee Set
If you’re searching for a pair of a pajamas that will keep you cool while you sleep, our senior lifestyle editor, Tamara Kraus, loves this set from Lunya. As a hot sleeper, she shared that they’re a year-round essential. “Plus, high-quality, washable silk is essentially unheard of,” she wrote in this roundup.
$198 at Lunya
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