Mumbai summers have always been hot. This year, they decided to become cruel. 42°C last week. The IMD issued a heatwave alert, more like a dire warning. And if you're like me and have been lying awake at night with the AC running, still feeling that one bead of sweat making its way down your back, that's not your AC underperforming. That's just what summers have started to feel like.
The Uniform Nobody Questioned
Till now, every morning we reached for the same old briefs, pulled on any old shirt, and got out the door. Same as yesterday. Same as our fathers. A generational curse that's resulted in complaining about the heat, only for nothing to change the next morning.
The imported blended fabric became the default because imported meant better. We trusted the label on the outside and never read the one on the inside. It’s the same story with the rest of the attire. We’ve tended to go for fabric that holds moisture, doesn't release heat, and by noon, you're carrying your entire morning around with you. The discomfort is clear and hiding under the "just summer".
And so far, that’s worked when it came to surviving the summers. But that’s not going to cut it anymore because survival isn’t really an option anymore.
Start With What's Closest to You
We think about the shirt. We think about the shoes. What's underneath? not so much. We've collectively decided innerwear choices don’t matter. Let’s change that with the XYXX's Tactel innerwear. It’s 92% Tactel nylon and 8% elastane. It's built to move moisture rather than hold it. The fabric dries 8x faster than regular fabric, which is a godsend in these temperatures. Then there’sthe weight, which is close to nothing. The difference between this and the blended briefs in your drawer isn't subtle — it's the difference between a body managing the heat and one quietly absorbing it all.
When You Have to Go Outside
The IMD alert suggests staying indoors. A noble idea. Unfortunately, my bank account can’t survive too many sick days.
My reality is exposed skin that has sun tans and accumulates heat stress. It doesn’t feel as hot as it used to. It feels like a relentless burn whose damage has become urgent.
The XYXX Anti Tan Jacket is the answer to the urgent problem posed by the Mumbai sun. It’s UPF 50+ certified, which helps relieve sun discomfort. It’s a relaxed fit, lightweight, and folds into a detachable pouch so it's there when you need it and gone when you don't. Sun protection has to become part of our collective summer vocabulary.
After the Day Is Done
The heat has no interest in your schedule. Mumbai evenings have now become an extension of the day's cruelty.
The XYXX Chambray Pyjamas are a comfortable reprieve from the demands of the evening heat. It’s 125 GSM plain-weave cotton with an anti-roll no-marks waistband. Put these on and just for a moment, forget about the discomfort of the heat.
When Soft Is the Point
Not every innerwear decision is about performance. Sometimes you just want something that makes you feel like you can move around without feeling like you're wearing a wet plastic bag. That's where the XYXX Boxers come into play. These boxers are snug without being restrictive, soft enough that you stop noticing them, and cut to prevent chafing before it starts. In 42°C heat, that's asking a lot out of your boxers, and luckily, the XYXX boxers are up to the task.
The Actual Point
Mumbai summers were hot. They've become something they weren't before, and the wardrobe and boxer logic we inherited wasn't built for this version of the sun.
Don’t just rely on the outside label. Read the inside label for once. Some of what's making the summer feel worse is fixable.
FAQs
What makes Tactel innerwear different from regular fabric options in summer?
Tactel is a performance nylon, engineered to move moisture away from the skin and dry significantly faster than regular fabric. In sustained heat and humidity, that means consistent comfort through the day.
Does a jacket actually help in summer, or does it make things worse?
Depends on what the jacket is made for. The Anti Tan Jacket is UPF 50+ certified and blocks UV rays without trapping body heat. A sun-protective jacket outperforms exposed skin for anyone spending meaningful time outdoors, which in this city is most of us.
What should I look for in summer sleepwear?
GSM is the number that matters — lower means lighter. The Chambray Pyjamas are 125 GSM, plain-weave cotton that breathes freely and registers minimal heat through the night.
Why doesn't imported innerwear automatically mean better for Indian heat?
Fabric composition determines performance more than country of origin. Blended imported fabrics often hold moisture rather than releasing it.
Can the Chambray Pyjamas be worn outside the house?
The chambray fabric sits between lounge and casual — structured enough to read as intentional rather than sleepwear. Quick errands, building lobby runs, working from a nearby café — they hold up. Not office wear, but not confined to the bedroom either.
Read Next
BY UMAIRE EFFENDI...
About the author: Umaire Effendi is a writer and film & television professional with over a decade of experience across India and Canada. His cross-cultural background gives him a distinct lens on modern Indian lifestyle, one that understands how India doesn't just follow global culture, but absorbs it, integrates it, and sends something entirely new back out into the world. He writes about men's fashion and culture by taking things apart, the why behind what Indian men wear, and what it says about where we're headed.
