5 Best Fabrics To Keep You Cool For Summer

A few years ago, I purchased the cutest pair of shorts for only $10 dollars, at a fast fashion retailer. I wore them once that summer! After taking them out of the washer to my huge disappointment they ripped!! From that moment on, I said to myself that I would only buy good quality clothes!

But what did that mean good mean? To start, I had to figure out what fabrics were good to wear in summer. Those fabrics that will keep me cool during the summer. I have learned about these 5 fabrics and want to share what I have learned with you. Scroll down, to see what to shop for this summer. I will also share how to take care of the fabric so that it can last for years! Since there are so many blends of fabrics, always look at the label for proper care instructions 🙂

Linen

This summer fabric, made from the fiber of flax plants. It’s absorbent, breathable and stronger than cotton. Linen is a lightweight fabric and wrinkles so easy. It’s best to air dry, but you can tumble dry low but remove the garment while it’s damp. You can buy a linen jumpsuit for a breathable head to toe look, or pants.

Chambray

Chambray comes from cotton fibers and then dyed shades of blue. It may look like denim but it’s not, it’s often made in a higher thread count. It’s a finer weave and more breathable fabric. Usually you can machine wash Chambray, tumble dry on low or air dry if it’s not a blend. But as I stated before always, always read the care instructions! 

Seersucker

Seersucker is a GREAT fabric for summer because it’s airy. It’s made from cotton that originated in India. It has a crinkle effect because of the way certain yarns wrap more than others. The crinkly effect is permanent and you aren’t able to iron it out. Which is fine because it makes getting dressed less of a hassle, right?!
The puckering effect also lifts the fabric off from the skin. Which allows air to flow through. This is why seersucker dries and is the perfect fabric for those hot summer days! Machine wash them in cold water and hang dry or machine dry on medium.

Hemp Fabric

Hemp may be a new term for some when it comes to sustainability talk in fashion. Yet, this fabric has been around for centuries, for some reason the demand for cotton was much greater. Growing hemp is eco- friendly for many reasons! Here are a few, hemp takes up less space and requires less water yet it produces more material. Hemp does need pesticides, it’s pest- resistant. Which makes it great for the environment and for your skin especially if you have sensitive skin. It can protect the skin from UV rays because it filters the UV light!! It’s also more durable and the material gets even more softer over time. It’s ideal for any season. It is airy breathable texture keeps you cool in the summer and in the winter it traps the body’s heat to keep you warm.
A few tips to care for your hemp garment. Don’t use bleach, no hot water, air dry, use organic detergent if possible and use gentle cycle.

Performance Fabric

Performance Fabrics, are any specialty fabric. They are usually synthetic created to withstand wear and tear. The concept of performance fabric is longevity and simplicity. These fabrics are water resistant, quick drying and some have antimicrobial properties. The material wicks moisture away from your body. Which can evaporate on the surface of your clothes. As opposed to natural fibers, that absorb moisture and take more time to dry.
You can machine wash and tumble dry low but skip the fabric softener or dryer sheets. The softening properties can clog the clothes. And interfere with the fast-drying and odor fighting properties.