Linen vs Cotton for Hot Weather: Which Fabric Is Best For Summer Heat?

Wondering which fabric is best for summer sweats? Let us help you discover the best one between linen clothing and cotton and which one should you choose for the sultry days. 

So, finally, as you start to bid adieu to the chilly nights, it’s time to welcome a sweet change in your wardrobe as summer is almost here! But before you start piling up, the constant question remains – Which is the best material for summer clothes? While following style trends is your nature, compromising on comfort is also a big no. Thus, you need a fabric that is soft and airy to absorb summertime perspiration and allows you to be easy and breezy. 

The top saviours in this sunny journey are linen and cotton. However, there is an ongoing discussion about which fabric is superior. Let us help you out then. 

What is The Coolest Fabric for Summer – Linen or Cotton? 

Two of the most widely utilised fabrics in the world, linen and cotton, reign supreme when it comes to summer wear selections. When looking for natural, cosy, and long-lasting textiles for bedding and clothes, these two emerge as the clear winners. But between them, several things distinguish them from each other. So, if you are in a fix between linen vs cotton for hot weather, then this article is the perfect guide for you!

The Cooling Wonder – Is Linen Good for Summer? 

Pure Linen is a natural fabric created from flax plant fibres. It’s coveted for its strength and adaptability and is widely used in fashion apparel due to its elegant appeal. The medium-weight material’s hollow fibres act as natural insulators. This gives you warm shelter in the winter and keeps you light in the summer. In every environment, linen clothing feels pleasant since it is absorbent and dries quickly.

Cotton Comfort – Is Cotton Good for Summer?

Cotton is another common fabric made from the natural fibres of the cotton plant. Depending on how you spin the fibres into thread or yarn, cotton comes in a range of weights. Cotton is a popular material for clothes, towels, and bed sheets. The reasons are- its softness, breathability, and durability.

Linen vs Cotton: A Cool Comparison on Which Fabric is Best For Summer

While you must have used both linen and cotton as your preferred clothing for summers, did you ever wonder what makes one better than the other? How are they different, and in which areas? Is cotton good for hot weather? Let us help you decode the science behind linen and cotton. 

Roots and Genes

Even though both linen and cotton are made from plants, they are not the same. Both are sourced from two different sources. While linen is made from the flax plant, cotton fibres are made from the cotton plant. 

• Linen – Prepared from robust flax fibres, linen is nature’s boon to Mother Earth. It offers a multitude of benefits and unparalleled comfort in all usage. 
• Cotton – Cultivated from cotton plants, cotton is one of the few widely used fabrics that is versatile and comfortable. 

Durability

Compared to the fluffy fibres found in cotton fabric, the flax fibres found in linen are more robust. Because of this, Oeko-Tex Certified linen is considered more reliable in terms of durability.

• Linen – Due to their strong resilience, flax fibres are more robust and durable. This makes linen a valuable investment as it lasts for decades without losing its strength over time. When picking linen clothing, this feature proves very handy. 
• Cotton – Cotton fabric is durable and lasts long as well, but it loses its strength with usage. Moreover, the visual appeal of cotton degrades over time. 

Read More: 10 Expert-Proven Benefits of Wearing Linen Clothing

Absorbing Power

In general, both cotton and linen cloths are measured to be carrying equal absorbency. So if you are going for regular everyday wearing, you may not find any notable difference. However, on the technical ground, there is a bit of variance. 

• Linen – Linen fabrics can absorb around 20 to 22% of their total weight in water, which makes it ideal for summer, along with its moisture-wicking properties. It absorbs the sweat from your body but wicks it away, keeping you dry. 
• Cotton – Cotton, on the other hand, can hold water for around 25% of its total weight but not wick it away much, making you feel wet on sweaty days. 

Hypoallergenic Nature

The heat of the summer days brings along with a plethora of germs and infections. With heat rashes and sweat, you need to make sure that the clothes you wear act as a gentle embrace while keeping your skin health in check. 

• Linen – For those of you prone to allergies or skin irritations, switching to linen fabrics for your clothing and bedding can work wonders. To answer your question, why is linen good to wear in summer, it is because it keeps allergies at bay. It is antibacterial and antifungal, which is great for those with sensitive skin. 
• Cotton – Cotton also contains some hypoallergenic properties but not as much as linen. This is why for several years, linen bandages have been preferred over cotton as they prevent infections. 

Breathability

Both linen and cotton are very light materials and are extremely comfortable to carry throughout the day. However, one has more hollow fibres and a looser weave than the other.

• Linen – How does linen keep you cool in summer? Linen as a fabric has looser weaves, which makes it more breathable than others. It allows air to pass through and regulates your body temperature easily. 
• Cotton – Cotton is also a very breathable fabric and keeps you comfortable in all seasons. However, its breathability depends on the weave. 

Softness

Softness is an important factor to consider when picking your summer fabrics. On warm sunny days, a gentle embrace of linen or cotton can take away the heat and allow you to keep your cool. 

• Linen – Linen might seem crisp and stiff when you first start using it, but with every wash, it reveals its true nature, which is ultra-softness. When natural linen is woven into a fabric, it keeps part of its crispness and stiffness for a longer period, which gets softer with every wash. 
• Cotton – Cotton has a more crisp, chilly feel to it, but is also softer to the touch. However, its softness recedes over time, and it starts getting coarse to touch. 

Wrinkle Shield

Both cotton and linen provide beautiful choices for clothes and luxury bedding. Yet, when worn, folded, and stored, they both tend to wrinkle. 

• Linen – The wrinkles of linen are lines of imperfection that add understated beauty to the fabric. Although linen is more prone to wrinkling, embracing it allows you to enjoy the fabric’s natural goodness. With proper care, you can reduce it and let it add character to your garments. 
• Cotton – Cotton garments wrinkle less than linen, but the creases formed need to be ironed and straightened out to look polished. You cannot skip this step with cotton clothes as it cannot outshine it. 

Care

Ensuring proper care for your belongings is crucial in maintaining their longevity and beauty. Both cotton and linen are quite simple to maintain, but there are certain instructions to follow which can completely alter the texture of the fabrics. 

• Linen – Linen care and maintenance is quite simple. All you need to do is be gentle with them and use mild detergents. The best part about linen is that the more you wash it, the softer it gets! 
• Cotton – Cotton, on the other hand, becomes very heavy when wet, which might be difficult for you to handle in case of bedding. Also, depending on the cotton weave, you might have to follow certain instructions to maintain their texture. 

Practical Considerations: Best Material for Summer Clothes

Now that we have laid the basics of linen vs cotton for hot weather, it’s time to pick your final winner considering a number of factors: 

• Comfort – Comfort is primary when you are deciding on your next garment for a day out in the sun. While both fabrics are comfortable to use, linen tends to blend with your sensitivities and showcases your true sense of style. 
• Price – Linen is higher on the price side as compared to cotton, but it is a healthy investment in your future. Its durability ensures that it stays by your side for decades to come, ageing with grace. 
• Aesthetics – Between linen and cotton, linen offers a more refined elegance and effortless charm. Cotton, on the other hand, is devoid of that finesse, even in its purest form. 

Read More: Trendy Linen Summer Dresses

Who Fabric Steals the Deal This Summer: Linen or Cotton? 

Although we have presented all the facts and shared our thoughts on both linen and cotton, the final decision depends on your personal preference. Both linen and cotton are extremely soothing and stylish fabrics with their individual share of pros and cons. Depending on your lifestyle and taste, you can choose which fabric is best for summer. Consider the factors we have discussed while also visualising the final look of your attire or home. 

So, better hurry and elevate your wardrobe with the finest fabric of your choice. Enhance your style with the purity of natural textures and bask away in the warmth of the sun, wrapped in elegance.