School is out, and summertime is here. This means picnics, days at the beach, barbecues, and lots of other fun outdoor activities. The heat and humidity of summer can make going outside more of a chore than a breath of fresh air. Luckily, these fabrics will keep you cool and let your skin breathe as you brave the 90 degree weather.
EYELET
Eyelet is an obvious choice for summer because of the many holes and lightweight material. This fabric can be worn casually or dressed up and gives your look a feminine flair. Pair your eyelet top with brightly colored cotton shorts. You can even find eyelet shorts, which can add some unexpected texture to your outfit. When buying eyelet dresses it is important to make sure a reliable lining is underneath to avoid any accidental underwear exhibitions.
CHAMBRAY
Chambray is a type of cotton that feels very similar to thin denim. Chambray is a great option for men and women. It can be worn casually during the day and looks great as a beach shirt paired with a straw beach fedora. This fabric looks great with white pants, capris and shorts.
SEERSUCKER
Seersucker is a fabric that can be appreciated by anyone in the summer, given its extreme breathability. Seersucker suits are a great alternative to heavy suit fabrics for day time or a beach wedding. If you’re not ready to be covered in seersucker from head-to-toe, seersucker shorts are also very popular for men. For women, seersucker is great for dresses, shirts, blazers, skirts, and pretty much anything you can think of. Seersucker adds a classy air to any summer outfit.
LINEN
Linen always makes a big comeback during the summer months after laying dormant for the rest of the year. Linen is highly absorbent so it helps keep ugly sweat stains at bay. Casual linen pants are a popular option for women to wear at the beach or to an evening get-together with friends. Button down linen shirts in a variety of colors can be found for men and look great paired with shorts or pants. The only downside is its tendency to wrinkle easily. People expect to see linen a little wrinkly; it just adds to its charm. Always wash this material by hand or on the cold cycle.
SILK
Silk is lightweight, breathable and adds sex appeal to any outfit. A summery silk top can easily be paired with any type of bottom and silk dresses can be dressed up or dressed down for a warm weather occasion. The only downside to silk is the extra care necessary for washing and can mean a trip to the dry cleaner.
COTTON
Cotton is lightweight, comfortable, soft and looks great. It is a year round material and is an ideal fabric if you have skin allergies. However, cotton isn’t the best at hiding sweat production, so just make sure to avoid tight cotton shirts or dresses on a particularly hot day. It’s important to watch out when washing and drying cotton because of its frustrating tendency to go from a large to a small. To avoid shrinking your cotton items, be mindful of your washer/dryer settings or hang them to dry after they are washed.
Do you have a favorite fabric that you like to wear when the temps heat up?
