9 Sweat-Wicking Styles That Will Keep You Cool and Dry This Summer

•

Published Jul 13, 2020

Contrary to what you might think, moisture-wicking clothing doesn’t have to be relegated to the gym (although we love you, cute-but-functional leggings and workout tanks that hide our pit stains). In fact, it’s quite the opposite. You can find crisp white button-downs and breezy summer dresses, all made from technical materials that won’t leave you feeling like a sweat-drenched monster by noon. They might not be able to make you stop sweating all together, but these nine picks will keep you feeling fresh—and dry—through the rest of the summer months.

Lululemon

1. Lululemon All Aligned Midi Dress

This sexy-but-casual midi dress is made from Nulu, a fabric specifically designed by Lululemon to feel light as air and super-soft—almost like you’re wearing nothing at all. Add to that a seasonless color palette and sweat-wicking technology and you’ve got yourself a go-to weekend dress.

Buy it ($118)

^{Available in sizes 0 to 14}

Uniqlo

2. Uniqlo Airism Sleeveless Top

A plain white tank is the cornerstone of many women’s summer wardrobes, but this isn’t your average scoopneck. Uniqlo’s AIRism technology doesn’t just wick away moisture; it also works to help keep you cooler in the first place. Add to that a slim-fit seamless design and a $10 price tag and you’ve got yourself a shirt you’ll soon be buying in bulk.

Buy it ($15; $10)

^{Available in sizes XXS to XXL}

Athleta

3. Athleta Broolyn Wide-leg Crop Pants

Although these were originally intended for easy traveling (they’re both wrinkle-resistant and machine-washable), the recycled polyester fabric is also super-breathable, allowing sweat to quickly evaporate off the surface, in addition to offering a whopping UPF 50+ sun protection. So, yeah, basically we plan to get a pair in every color, ASAP.

Buy it ($89)

^{Available in sizes 00 to 16, also Tall and Petite}

Eddie Bauer

4. Eddie Bauer Departure High-rise Mesh-inset Shorts

While any pair of shorts is guaranteed to offer some relief from the heat, not every pair can actively keep you dry while also looking chic enough for lunch with friends, an afternoon picnic or even dressed up for a night out. These adorable Eddie Bauer shorts are made from FreeDry moisture-wicking material (with built-in UPF 50, we might add) that won't leave you looking like you fell into a puddle halfway through the day.

Buy it ($65; $39)

Available in sizes XS to XXL

Tory Burch

5. Tory Burch Performance PiquÉ Chevron Polo

We’re very on-board with the colorful chevron stripes on this '70s-inspired polo shirt, which can be easily dressed up for an office environment (with straight-leg trousers and some classic pumps) or given a street-style edge (with cut-off Bermuda shorts and some stark white strappy sandals).

Buy it ($128)

^{Available in sizes XS to XL}

REi

6. Rei Co-op Sun Up Shirt Dress

This dress’s four-way stretch fabric doesn’t just work to wick moisture away from your skin, it also has built-in UPF 50 sun protection. On the fashion-minded side, this easy, work-appropriate silhouette comes in two solid hues (classic black and baked earth) as well as two prints (the abstract floral above and an orange geometric pattern), all with a flattering drawstring waist you can adjust to fit your body just right.

Buy it ($90)

^{Available in sizes XS to XL}

ADAY

7. Aday That's A Wrap Top

The women behind ADAY created their brand with the goal of offering cool, versatile staples you can just throw on and go. They achieve that goal by using quick-drying and thermo-regulating fabrics. (They’re UV-resistant, too!) You really can’t go wrong with anything from ADAY, but this wrap top that can be worn at least five different ways (including as a wrap top, as seen above, or a blouse with a draped detail at the front) is sure to give you the most bang for your buck.

Buy it ($145)

^{Available in sizes XS to L}

REI

8. Patagonia Fleetwith Romper

We love a good one-and-done ensemble, but it’s even better when that singular piece can keep us cool and dry even on the most humid of days. Patagonia’s sleeveless jumpsuit has been treated with a durable water repellant to shed moisture not just from the outside (aka unexpected summer storms) but from the inside as well.

Buy it ($119)

^{Available in sizes XS to XL}

NAGNATA

9. Nagnata Colour Block Dress

Nagnata's sexy minidress isn’t just form-flattering (thanks to that mod-inspired color-blocking); it’s also woven out of performance knit that absorbs moisture and toxins from your body without holding on to any unwanted odors.

Buy it ($266)

^{Available in sizes XS to L}