I think people need to optimize their clothes. How did we end up with such shitty clothing choices? Cotton shirts, cotton pants as far as the eye can see. What did people wear when they needed clothing to actually perform?

Cotton had historically been popular due to the price and the durability. When possible though, people wore wool. Wool is fantastic when it's

hot & dry
cold & wet
cold & dry

It struggles in tropical climates.

You know when you get a cotton shirt wet it gets cold? That's why it's so useful in tropical climates and so deadly in the cold.

Bedouin clothes don't seem comfortable. Wool in the desert? The clothes insulate the wearer from the heat around them. The loose fit allows hot air to rise and pull in cool air from the bottom of the robe.

Wool insulates even when wet. It was the choice of fishermen around the world in cold climates. The wool used was incredibly thick and not stripped of the natural oil (lanolin) so it was mildly water repellent.

If you got sweaty, the wool would naturally allow the moisture to evaporate, rather than getting soaked and cold.

This is what makes wool socks so great. The moisture and temperature control are unparalleled. Bonus points because wool is naturally smell repellent.

Sure, I hear you say, but isn't wool scratchy? Maybe! I say. Wool is scratchy, but that's why you wear a synthetic undershirt, or borrow a technique from the Victorians and sew in little cotton strips at high friction points like the collar and wrists.

You can invest in cashmere which is not itchy at all. Merino wool, due to the miracles of technology, can be sorted so that only the itchiest fibers can be discarded, leading to comfy clothes.

I am not, however, a fan of using wool for shoes. Wool is great, but not durable. Allbirds are fine for a little city walking, but you can't expect them to stand up to a beating like leather.

You can take inspiration from cultures that relied on their clothes to survive, while taking advantage of modern implementations. I use thin merino underwear during fall, summer, and spring. Merino shirts are great for hiking or exercise. Wool sweaters are a must when kayaking.

Thanks @wrathofgnon for the inspiration!