4 fabrics to keep cool this summer

Hot girl summer hits different when you’re commuting to work in 90-degree heat. Whether you’re headed to a corporate office, a coffee shop, or your home office with questionable AC, sweating through polyester isn't part of your job description.

Here are 4 breathable fabrics that’ll help you stay cool and collected:

1. Linen: The Regina George of breathable fabrics. The queen bee. A little high maintenance if we’re being honest, but that’s part of the charm. Linen is lightweight, super breathable, and has an effortless vibe to it.

✨tennie tip: If the wrinkling really bothers you, look for linen blends to reduce wrinkling

2. Cotton (and Cotton Poplin): Classic and endlessly wearable. Great for button-downs, shirtdresses, and crisp white blouses. Cotton poplin in particular holds its shape well without being too heavy – perfect for a “meetings all day” day.

✨tennie tip: aim for 100% cotton if you can and avoid blends with too much polyester, which traps heat.

3. Tencel (Lyocell): Sustainable, durable, and sounds like Tennie?! Sign us up. Tencel is a fiber made from wood pulp. It’s soft, wrinkle-resistant (no shade, linen), and has a nice drape, making it perfect for elevated basics.

✨tennie tip: I know sustainable clothing options can get pricey, but fear not! Places like H&M have been incorporating more and more items with tencel recently, making sustainable fashion more accessible than ever.

4. Merino wool: While it’s true that most wool blazers and sweaters leave me sweating it even in the coldest of winter days, merino wool is a different situation. Merino wool regulates temperature shockingly well, making it the perfect option to keep you warm when the office is freezing but cool in the hot summer air outside. It wicks moisture, resists odor, and somehow still looks sharp. Basically, it's the overachiever of fabrics.

✨tennie tip: some places even have “summerweight” merino - this is going to be the most breathable version.

Need help building an easy breezy beautiful summer wardrobe? Take the Tennie quiz for personalized recs!