Wearing a neck fan and having your AC on full blast are just a couple of ways to keep yourself cool when it’s sweltering outside, but investing in cooling clothes is another way to beat the heat. Whether you’re searching for an ultra-breathable dress you can wear on walks or a pair of lightweight pants you can wear during sweaty summer hikes, there are options out there that are suitable for everyone’s needs. To help you stay cooler and hopefully more comfortable this summer, we’ve listed some of our favorite cooling clothes, including top-rated and expert-recommended options.
Cooling shirts
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
Cooling dresses
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.
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.”
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.
Cooling bottoms
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.”
“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
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.
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.