It’s hot. At least, it’s hot in WV. As summer approaches, it’s time to re-evaluate your wardrobe and lose a layer or two. But as you begin your refresh, color trends and finally learning what the heck a shift dress is aren’t the only summer updates you should keep in mind. Choosing appropriate summer fabrics can not only elevate your summer wardrobe, but your comfort level as well. To help you live your best life this summer, here are the best (and a few of the worst) fabrics to wear in the summer heat.
The Best Summer Fabrics
Cotton
In terms of summer fabrics, cotton immediately comes to mind– it’s known for it’s comfort. Cotton knits* are made with interlocking threads the create airy loops that sort of operate like a natural air conditioner for your body. The nature of the weave and natural fibers allow air to circulate and move freely and wick moisture and is good in all climates.
The one major con with cotton* is that it can shrink in the dryer. So unless you’ve purchased something that’s pre-shrunk (think cotton t-shirts), you’re going to want to be mindful of how you dry your garment. Try hang drying these items in the summer; it’s hot anyway.
Linen
Linen* is made from fibers from the flax plant and is known for it’s innate coolness and freshness. It’s an old textile that’s been worn by people for centuries, and for good reason. The natural fibers and light weave makes linen* breathable and cooling.
The downside with linen* is that it wrinkles incredibly easily. If you don’t want to use an iron on your linen* garments, spray lightly with water and smooth out the wrinkles with your hand instead.
Chambray
While denim is amazing for sun protection (because of the tightly locked weave), it’s heavy. So if you like the look of denim, but want something a little cooler, chambray* is for you. Chambray* is a cotton textile that generally has a linen-esque finish. Unlike a cotton knit, chambray* is a woven textile, meaning it contains a higher thread count and finer weave. This makes it even more breathable than its cotton counterpart.
Seersucker
Can you even imagine summer without picturing seersucker*? Because I can’t. Another member of the cotton family, seersucker* is a thin, lightweight fabric. It wicks moisture and allows airflow, making it cooling.
A complaint I commonly hear about seersucker* is that it looks wrinkled. The fabric is lightly puckered, which makes it act a little like linen in terms of wrinkling. It’s OK. It’s supposed to be that way.
Rayon
Unlike the rest of the summer fabrics on this list, rayon* is not a natural fiber. It’s a man made fiber that is designed to mimic silk, satin, and linen. Since it’s thinner than cotton, it drapes really well, making it nice for summer dresses.
The setback with rayon* is that since it isn’t a natural fiber, it won’t wick away moisture the way cotton and linen does. However, it still tends to be cooler than other synthetic fabrics.
The Worst Summer Fabrics
Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fiber designed to repel water. When you hear “repel water,” you may think that means moisture won’t cling onto the fabric. And while you would be correct, that also means any moisture and sweat beneath your nylon garment is going to stay on your skin. Nylon has a low absorption level that leads to heat and sweat being trapped on the skin, unlike cotton that allows it to slip through the weave.
Polyester
If you’re looking for a fabric that’s great for travel, polyester is it. It’s great because it doesn’t tend to wrinkle. However, you may want to save it for your fall travels and swap something else in for summer. It’s not going to be a great summer fabric because it resists moisture and will be hot.
Fleece
I’d say it’s pretty obvious that a material that’s designed for warmth would be a poor choice in the summer heat. But there are some wools that are good for summer wear. Usually named all-weather, summer, or tropical wools, these materials don’t hold wrinkles as well as cotton and tend to evaporate odor-causing moisture quickly. You want a lightweight wool with a high thread count when choosing wool for summer. However, fleece is derived from polyester, meaning it will also trap moisture.
There are tons of materials and fabrics that are lightweight and cool, but these are a few that I always classify as summer fabrics. They are fairly common, comfortable, and I think they’ll serve you well during the hot summer months.
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