For me, the difference between a good and excellent dress all comes down to the material. I love making sure the fabric feels just right, especially in hot and humid weather. To start, I look for fabrics that are breathable, and do not stick to the skin. Finding the right material comes down to two important factors: the material composition, and fabric construction. Though not comprehensive, I put together a list of 5 best fabrics for summer as well as my top dresses picks for each.
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LINEN: COMFORTABLE FABRIC FOR SUMMER
Linen is a material that is praised in both fashion and bedding. The material feels a bit heavier than its cellulosic counterpart, cotton. However, linen is expensive because it is precious and rare, and a lot more costly to harvest. Its benefits are also plentiful. Because linen is coarser than cotton, you will notice that the fabrics are less densely packed, allowing for better air flow. In turn, the material is more breathable and dries quickly when you sweat. Another aspect I love about linen is how loose fitting it is. Nothing feels worse than a pair of shorts that stick to your legs on a hot day!
100% linen pieces are normally costly, so if you find one at a good bargain, consider yourself lucky! Here are several cute linen dresses I found. (some of these are a linen blend)
COTTON POPLIN: CRISP & CLASSIC
When I look for an investment piece, I try to aim for a material is 100% natural (so no synthetics, like polyester). For one, you get a very clean and structured look that is hard to replicate in fabric blends. Poplin is one of my favorite summer fabrics because it is usually 100% cotton. The fabric is a plain weave structure and lightweight, making it a very breathable material. If you are looking for a classic shirtdress, or even a trendy puff sleeve dress, I love poplin because it holds the shape well.
Below are a few of the pieces I have been eyeing this summer.
EYELET: THE FEMININE FABRIC YOU NEED
I own several eyelet pieces in my closet. Ever since noticing this material in stores a few years ago, I was drawn to its feminine details and airy feel. The reason that eyelet pieces can be expensive is that they are normally made from 100% cotton, with detailed embroidering. Since the fabric does a lot of holes, it also also very breezy.
CHAMBRAY
Almost like denim, but not quite. Chambray is a lighter-weight material usually made from cotton, or rayon. It is a super breezy fabric that you can find affordably as major retailers. Old Navy always has great options. I’ve shared about chambray in a post I wrote about Tencel, which you can read more about here.
CREPE
This fabric is probably one of the lesser known on my list. However, it is one of those materials you need to feel to fully recognize. (I found a great image of it here) Crepe is another lightweight fabric that has a crinkly texture created by variations in yarn twist. Most commonly, I have seen the fabric made from viscose, though the most expensive form is usually silk. It has a lovely drape to it, and makes any piece look a touch more feminine.
THE BEST FABRICS FOR SUMMER YOU NEED TO STAY COOL
Thanks for reading this full round-up, and here is a summary again on five of my favorite fabrics to stay cool this season.
- Linen
- Poplin
- Eyelet
- Chambray
- Crepe
