The coolest and most elegant summer fabrics: which one to choose to beat the heat in style

3 min read
I tessuti estivi più freschi ed eleganti: quale scegliere per affrontare il caldo con stile
When it gets really hot, dressing lightly only goes so far, especially for those who find themselves spending much of July and August in cities, where the humidity increases, reducing the amount of fabric you wear does little to combat the heat. Rather than reducing the extent of your clothing - considering that there is a limit to how little you can go anyway - it is better to carefully evaluate the type of fabric you wear. The same goes for household linens, such as sheets, bathrobes, and pajamas: natural fabrics help with breathability and absorb moisture, leaving the skin dry and giving a feeling of freshness.

The king of summer fabrics: linen

Linen is a fabric with great properties. Even more than cotton, it is able to let the skin breathe and absorb moisture, therefore leaving a cool and dry sensation. Used for this reason also for household linens, linen is also extremely elegant: both to the eye and to the touch, it resembles silk. A linen pair of trousers on its own, in a neutral color and paired with a simple light blouse, is able to carry off a sober outfit, capable of adapting to a business meeting as well as a formal event. And it is a resistant fabric, both to washing and to the sun's rays, but also to the iron, as everyone who has taken care of some linen garment has discovered. It is precisely the resistance of the fibers that makes the fabric wrinkle easily and hold every fold, which is difficult to remove. A bit of effort that is, however, well rewarded by the quality and versatility of these garments.

For the body and for the home: cotton

Cotton is the most used fabric and among the best in contact with the skin: breathable, hypoallergenic, resistant. It is easier to iron than linen but a little less soft to the touch. For a more “slippery” final effect, it is often integrated with synthetic fibers, so it is always better to read the label very carefully if you are looking for 100 percent pure cotton. Perhaps look for cotton muslin garments, a special weave that produces a loosely woven fabric; it is very soft and breathable, ideal for blouses and shirts, even with a see-through effect. Cotton is also durable, resistant to several washes even at high temperatures, which is why it is often used for sheets, pajamas, and household linens.

Elegance par excellence: silk

Silk is one of the most expensive fabrics on the market, because of the way it is produced. It is the result of the work of the silkworm, therefore an absolutely natural product. The higher cost, however, is repaid by the preciousness and elegance of any garment made with this fabric: silk is recognized at first sight. Absolutely breathable, very light, it gives a cool sensation on the skin and is extremely pleasant to the touch. If you are invited to a wedding in the middle of August or to a refined event on a muggy evening, a silk dress is the answer to your needs.

Fresh and soft: viscose

Viscose is a fabric that is used almost exclusively in summer, or to make formal dresses to be worn indoors. In short, it is not suitable for winter because it does not keep you warm: it has a lower thermoregulating function compared to cotton, despite being a derivative of it. Viscose is, in fact, made from natural cotton pulp combined with synthetic cellulose fibers: it is extremely breathable, therefore very cool to wear, softer to the touch than cotton, and visually resembles silk. If you are looking for an elegant dress to show off in summer, viscose is the right choice for you.

A look at sustainability

All the fabrics mentioned, perfect for summer, are also all natural fabrics, or at most mixed only in a small part with synthetic fibers. In addition to being better for staying in contact with the skin, they are also beneficial for the environment. They last longer, therefore reducing the amount of waste that accumulates, and their production requires less water and fewer petroleum-based products. The best choice for both you and the world.
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