Best Breathable Fabrics for Hot Weather in India | Top Fabrics for Summer 2025

India’s summers are becoming increasingly extreme, with temperatures soaring past 50°C in some regions. According to recent reports, March 2024 has already recorded heatwaves in multiple states, with temperatures reaching 40°C and above—much earlier than usual. With global temperatures rising, staying cool and comfortable is more challenging than ever.

One of the key ways to beat the heat is by choosing the right fabrics—ones that allow your skin to breathe, wick away moisture, and keep you feeling fresh throughout the day. Opting for lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking materials such as cotton, linen, khadi, lyocell, and hemp ensures not only comfort but also aligns with sustainable and ethical fashion choices.

If you’re looking to upgrade your summer wardrobe in 2025, here are the best breathable fabrics for hot weather in India.

1. Handloom Cotton – The Ultimate Summer Staple

Handloom cotton remains one of the best choices for Indian summers due to its superior breathability, softness, and sweat-absorbing properties. Handwoven fabric has a unique texture that enhances airflow, ensuring you stay cool throughout the day.

Unique Feature: The tiny air pockets in handloom cotton help in natural ventilation, making it feel light and airy even in the most humid conditions.

Earthy Route’s 100% handloom cotton shirts are designed to keep you cool while offering timeless elegance. Their lightweight weave ensures maximum breathability, making them a summer essential.

2. Khadi – The Heritage Fabric for Hot Weather

Khadi, India’s iconic handspun fabric, is lightweight and allows maximum airflow, keeping the body cool even in peak summer. In addition to its cooling properties, khadi promotes sustainable and ethical fashion.

Unique Feature: Unlike mass-produced fabrics, khadi adapts to the weather—it stays cool in summer and warm in winter, making it a year-round essential.

Khadi vs. Handloom: What’s the Difference?
While both khadi and handloom fabrics are crafted using traditional techniques, their main difference lies in the spinning process. Khadi is entirely handspun and handwoven, making each piece truly unique and slightly irregular in texture. Handloom fabric, on the other hand, uses mill-spun yarn that is then woven on a handloom, ensuring a more uniform weave while still maintaining the artisanal touch. Both are excellent choices for breathable summer wear, but khadi offers a more raw and rustic appeal, whereas handloom cotton provides a smoother, softer texture.

Get to know more about difference between khadi and handloom cotton here.

3. Lyocell – The Modern Eco-Friendly Fabric

Lyocell, commonly known as Tencel, is a modern, eco-friendly fabric made from wood pulp. It is praised for its silk-like softness, moisture-wicking abilities, and sustainability. Unlike synthetic fabrics, lyocell offers superior breathability and a luxurious feel.

Unique Feature: Lyocell’s smooth fiber structure makes it less prone to bacterial growth, keeping sweat odors at bay even on the hottest days.

Earthy Route’s Tencel Lyocell-Linen blend shirts combine Tencel’s moisture-wicking and soft texture with linen’s natural breathability. This innovative blend ensures optimal comfort while maintaining a sophisticated summer look.

4. Linen – The Natural Cooling Fabric

Linen, derived from flax fibers, is another excellent summer fabric. It boasts high moisture-wicking ability and superior airflow. While linen wrinkles easily, this adds to its effortless charm, making it ideal for relaxed, airy summer outfits.

Unique Feature: Linen can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture before feeling damp, keeping you dry and fresh all day.

Earthy Route’s premium linen shirts provide a breathable, stylish option for those who want to stay cool without sacrificing sophistication.

5. Hemp – The Sustainable Cooling Fabric

Hemp fabric is naturally breathable, moisture-wicking, and gets softer with every wash. It has antibacterial properties, making it a great option for summer wear.

Unique Feature: Hemp fabric has built-in UV resistance, protecting your skin from harmful sun rays while keeping you cool.

Pro Tips for Summer Dressing:
•    Choose loose, airy fits over tight clothing.
•    Opt for light colors that reflect heat rather than absorb it.
•    Layer smartly with breathable fabrics to stay comfortable indoors and outdoors.

Stay cool, stay fashionable, and embrace the summer of 2025 with breathable and sustainable fabrics!