The one fabric to avoid in summer – and the best breezy alternatives
The British attitude to summer is so predictable. We wait an eternity for warm weather, but when a heatwave finally hits us, all we do is complain that it’s too hot.
When the mere thought of moving around brings you out in a sweat, the most comfortable clothing to wear is something loose that coasts off the surface of your body, making it feel like you’re wearing nothing at all.
In fact, it’s better than nothing at all, because the right fabric can function like air conditioning and cool you down. Just think about the way an oversized linen shirt billows as you walk, creating a slight breeze. Not only does it look rather George and Amal Clooney in Lake Como, but it also feels heavenly in the heat.
The same rules apply whatever the garment: trousers, dresses, co-ords. You want each piece to be loose, light and breathable, without being too transparent or shapeless. A dress with a tie or fitted waist will provide just enough definition.
In warm weather, fabric labels are your friend, says Lara Pyne, co-founder of Chelsea Peers, which has a cult following for its ultra-soft and lightweight summer loungewear. ‘Check the labels for breathable textiles like linen or linen-blends that give the feeling of freedom and lightness.’
Cotton, hemp and silk will all serve you well in the heat. Several brands have dedicated garment ranges for hot weather, or for those who generally tend to feel the heat, such as Everlane’s Air collection and Uniqlo’s Airism.
Choose synthetic fabrics wisely. The average polyester dress will only make you feel hotter (and is best avoided), but plenty of synthetic blends are engineered to keep you cool and wick sweat away from the body, such as those used in activewear. I’m not suggesting you spend the summer in your gym kit, but brands including Varley and Vuori have done a great job segueing into items that wouldn’t look out of place in the office, including trousers and dresses. These pieces tend to survive washing machines well too.
The most powerful hot weather accessory, though? A bottle of chilled water. Nope, not a fashion item, but it’ll make you cooler in every sense of the word.
Try these pieces for women...
Linen blend shirt, ￡38 and trousers, ￡40, Chelsea Peers
Linen blouse, ￡65, Cos
Linen dress, ￡340, Mondo Corsini
Linen jumpsuit, ￡298, Maksu
Organic cotton dress, ￡385, Rodebjer
And for men...
Linen shirt, ￡110, A Day’s March
Linen trousers, ￡92, Everlane
Linen shirt, ￡115, ISTO
Linen cotton blend baseball shirt, ￡95, Wax London
Linen and organic cotton shorts, ￡125, NN 07
Shopping by Sophie Tobin
