Indian summers are unforgiving.
If the fabric is wrong, even the best-designed t-shirt becomes uncomfortable within minutes.
Whether it’s for daily office wear, events, or team apparel, choosing the right fabric for Indian summer conditions matters more than colour or print. This guide breaks it down in simple, practical terms—no jargon, no confusion.
Why fabric matters more in Indian summers
Indian summer is basically a real-life stress test for clothing: heat + humidity + sweat + long hours.
Here’s what happens when your t-shirt fabric isn’t right:
- You sweat, but the fabric doesn’t manage it well → you feel sticky, heavy, and irritated.
- Air can’t pass through easily → heat stays trapped near your skin.
- The t-shirt starts feeling “tired” by hour 3 → especially during commute, outdoor events, or non-AC spaces.
Heat + humidity + sweat = fabric stress test
In humid cities, sweat doesn’t evaporate quickly. In dry-heat cities, sweat evaporates faster but you still need airflow. Either way, the fabric must help your body cool down.
Breathability vs thickness
Many people assume “thicker = premium”. In Indian summer, thicker often means more heat retention. The premium choice is the one that stays comfortable over time.
Comfort over long wear hours
For teams, this matters more because people wear the same tee for 6–10 hours—office days, college fests, roadshows, factory visits, brand events, everything.
Most common t-shirt fabrics used in India
100% Cotton
Why people love it (especially in summer):
- Soft on skin
- Breathable
- Handles sweat better (doesn’t feel plastic-y)
- Feels comfortable even when you’re wearing it for long hours
Cotton is naturally more moisture-accepting than polyester. In textile terms, cotton has a much higher moisture regain (how much moisture a fibre can hold under standard conditions) than polyester—often cited around 8.5% for cotton vs ~0.4% for polyester.
Best for:
- Daily wear
- Office wear
- Event tees
- College fests and community merch
Watch out for shrinkage (important for bulk orders):
Cotton knits (common in tees) can shrink if the fabric isn’t processed/finished properly or if the garment isn’t pre-shrunk. This is why good suppliers talk about pre-shrunk / bio-washed / compacted fabric.
Cotton Blends (Cotton + Polyester)
This is the “balanced” option many teams pick when they want better durability + shape retention.
Why blends are popular:
- Holds shape better after repeated washes
- Usually wrinkles less than pure cotton
- Often shrinks less than 100% cotton
- Can be cost-effective for uniforms or frequent-use tees
The trade-off:
- Slightly less breathable than pure cotton (because polyester content reduces airflow and changes how sweat behaves on the fabric)
Useful for:
- Uniforms
- Frequent wash cycles (delivery teams, field staff, volunteers)
- Budget-controlled bulk ordering
If you’re choosing blends for summer, a practical approach is: keep cotton percentage higher (example: 80/20 cotton-poly) when comfort is the priority.
Polyester (and why it’s usually a bad idea for summer)
Let’s keep it simple: regular polyester tees + Indian humidity = discomfort for most people.
Why?
- Polyester is hydrophobic (doesn’t absorb moisture easily)
- It has very low moisture content/moisture regain (often cited ~0.4%)
- Sweat may stay on the skin or feel “trapped” unless the polyester is engineered specifically for performance
So is polyester always bad?
Not always.
Polyester works in specific sports/performance use cases where the fabric is designed for moisture-wicking and quick-dry performance (think: gym jerseys, running tees). But that’s a different category from typical promotional or office/team t-shirts. Research on improving polyester comfort exists because standard polyester has comfort limitations unless modified.
Combed cotton vs carded cotton (simple difference)
This one impacts “feel” immediately.
Why combed cotton feels smoother
Combed cotton goes through an extra step where short fibres and impurities are removed and fibres are aligned more uniformly. Result:
- smoother touch
- stronger yarn
- better consistency (less fuzz/pilling feel)
When carded cotton is acceptable
Carded cotton is more basic processing—still cotton, still usable, but:
- can feel slightly rougher
- may pill more over time
- usually chosen when budget is tight
Cost vs comfort trade-off
If the tee will be worn in summer for long hours (office/event), combed cotton is usually worth the upgrade. If it’s a one-time giveaway tee where cost matters most, carded can still work.
GSM explained (without technical language)
GSM is simply: how heavy the fabric feels per square metre. Higher GSM usually means thicker/heavier fabric.
What GSM really means for summer
- Lower GSM → lighter, more breathable feel
- Higher GSM → heavier, more structured, but warmer in summer
Ideal GSM range for Indian conditions
For most Indian summer use cases, 160–180 GSM is a very practical “sweet spot”—comfortable, not too thin, still durable enough for regular wear.
Why “thicker ≠ better”
A 220 GSM tee can feel premium in winter or for oversized streetwear, but in peak summer it often feels like “extra insulation” your body didn’t ask for.
So, what’s the best choice for most teams?
Here’s the simple recommendation, based on what works for Indian conditions:
Everyday office wear
- 100% combed cotton
- 160–180 GSM
- Best balance of comfort + presentability + long wear
Events and promotions
- If comfort is the priority: 100% cotton, 160–180 GSM
- If durability + repeated use matters: cotton-rich blend (like 80/20), 170–180 GSM
College and student use
- 160–180 GSM cotton is the safest bet for mass comfort
- If budgets are tight and washes will be frequent: cotton blends can be practical
One more practical point: printing quality
Fabric choice also changes how your print looks and feels.
- DTG printing (popular for detailed designs) generally performs best on natural fibres like cotton because water-based inks bond/behave better on them.
- For sublimation printing (sports jerseys), polyester is preferred because the dye bonds with the polymer base.
So yes—fabric choice affects printing quality, durability, and “premium feel” of the final tee.
If you’re planning team tees for office/event use, check out customized round neck t-shirts for teams and events.
3 Key Takeaways
- 100% combed cotton is the safest and most comfortable choice for Indian summers.
- Lower GSM (160–180) works better than thick fabrics in hot, humid weather.
- Fabric impacts comfort more than design—especially for long wear hours and outdoor movement.
FAQs
Q1. Is cotton always better than polyester in summer?
For typical Indian summer use (office/events), yes—cotton is generally more comfortable because it handles moisture differently and feels more breathable for long wear.
Q2. What GSM is best for summer t-shirts in India?
Usually 160–180 GSM gives the best balance of comfort + durability for most people.
Q3. Do blended fabrics shrink less?
Generally, yes. Adding polyester improves shape retention and often reduces shrink compared to 100% cotton.
Q4. Is thicker fabric more premium?
Not always. In summer, thicker fabric often means more heat retention. GSM should match the climate and use case, not just “premium perception.”
Q5. Does fabric choice affect printing quality?
Yes. Cotton is usually better for DTG and many screen print outcomes, while polyester is preferred for sublimation printing.
