Wear Lightweight Fabrics
The key to staying cool in the summer is choosing the right material. Your summer wardrobe essentials need to be made of something that can handle the heat while still keeping you comfortable. When shopping for clothes, try to look for pieces made of these materials.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most popular clothing materials and is easy to find, which makes it a perfect choice as a lightweight fabric for summer. Cotton is popular for a reason. It helps keep you cool in both dry heat and thick humidity while being one of the most comfortable fabrics on the market. Because cotton is so versatile, it comes in a variety of fabrics, with some more suitable for the heat than others.
If you’re shopping for cotton fabrics, you can look for the following:
- Chambray: a lightweight version of denim
- Seersucker: a thin cotton fabric that allows for steady airflow through the material
- Madras: a lightweight version of flannel
Linen
Linen is made from plant fibers and is known for its flowy, loose texture that allows for optimal airflow. Even with its light texture, linen is known to be extremely durable. Because it is so light and airy, it easily folds and wrinkles—perhaps being linen’s only downfall. However, some pieces are built and structured with that in mind, and we still think linen is the perfect choice for your beach vacation or your European summer getaway. While cotton is the most popular fabric overall, linen wins as the most popular fabric of summer.
Bamboo
If you’re looking to be environmentally conscious, bamboo is likely your best choice as a lightweight fabric. Not only is it environmentally friendly and biodegradable, but bamboo fabric is antibacterial as well. Bamboo is particularly good at wicking away moisture, which makes it a perfect choice for a tropical or coastal environment.
Rayon
Rayon is the man-made version of silk, so it has a lot of the advantages of silk, and then some. It’s light, breathable, soft, and stretchy, making it ideal for athletic or casual wear. Tencel is a form of rayon that shares the same softness and stretchiness, while still having good airflow. Rayon’s one downside is that it is tricky with moisture (both wicking it away and when washing it), so it is best used in dry heat.
Performance Blends
With a performance blend, you’ll find a mixture of both synthetic and natural fibers. Performance blends, such as nylon, spandex, or polyester, are known for their durability, stain resistance, and easy washing care. Performance blends are also ideal if you’re looking for a moisture-wicking fabric if you anticipate getting wet or sweating a lot. Although performance fabrics are often found in athletic wear and athleisure, you can also start to find them in casual or even business-casual clothing from certain brands and designers.
Start Your Summer With Stately
When purchasing your summer wardrobe essentials, you don’t have to compromise fashion for comfort. With an expert’s help, you can keep your cool while still wearing the latest in summer fashion for men.
Not sure where to start?
Stately matches you with a personal stylist who helps you curate your perfect wardrobe that is still unique to your style. Working with some of the best brands in the fashion industry, you can get quality pieces without the retail markup. Start by taking our brief styling quiz to help you narrow down your individual look.