The Best Fabrics to Wear in Summer Heat
Boise has been on a bit of a weather rollercoaster so far this month. One day it’s 60 and rain (like yesterday), then a few days later it’s 90 and sun (late last week and again later this week). Even though it doesn’t fully feel like summer is here to stay, I’m enjoying this rollercoaster in the hopes that wildfire season doesn’t start for a few more weeks! This time last year, there was a record heat wave in the inland northwest, and I’m glad it’s not happening again now.
Since it is technically meteorological summer, and I know there are other places around the country that are already experiencing soaring temperatures, let’s chat about the best summer fabrics to wear in summer heat! Now, I must mention that Boise is a dry climate. We are very lucky to not have humidity. That said, 100 degrees F is still quite hot, so it’s imperative that you know how to dress to stay cool in summer heat even if you’re in a similar dry climate. Here are two of the best, most comfortable fabrics to wear to beat the heat!
The Best, Most Comfortable Fabrics to Wear in Summer Heat
There are a few fabrics you can wear in the summer that’ll keep you cool and comfortable. I’m focusing on two of those fabrics because those are what make up the majority of my summer wardrobe: linen and cotton (and linen-cotton blends!). The most important thing to remember when dressing for the summer months is to wear natural fabrics that BREATHE. You want good airflow through your garments or else you will roast no matter whether you’re in humidity or not.
1. Linen
Hands down, the best fabric to wear in summer heat is linen. I didn’t discover the wonders of linen until I starting this blog many years ago (here’s a post from summer 2014, the first summer I owned linen), and I quickly became a convert. Linen keeps me cooler than any other fabric I’ve worn, even in humidity! I wore a linen tee in absurd heat and humidity in Key West a few years ago. I truly have never been as hot as I was there. And I just know I would’ve been dying if not for the linen tee I was wearing. (Thank goodness it was dark colored, so you couldn’t tell how much I was sweating! Ha.)
The thing that most people don’t like about linen is that it gets wrinkly super easily. I’ve learned to “embrace the wrinkle” as some may say. Picking linen items that are a little more structured and/or that have a blend with some other fabric can help with that issue!
2. Cotton
Cotton is also a comfortable fabric to wear in summer heat. I love a good lightweight cotton; you don’t want something too thick, structured, and/or heavy. Think breezy, cotton gauze. Cotton gauze will be your second best friend! I’m wearing lightspun shorts by Madewell, which are made from a lovely 100% cotton gauze that is so light and comfortable, it basically feels like I’m wearing PJs.
If you want to stay (and look) cool in the summer, it’s best to avoid polyester (not breathable at all), silk (relatively breathable since it’s natural but will show sweat stains), and rayon (mostly because anything that is 100% rayon is the worst and will shrink when wet). It might seem counterintuitive, but opt for thin wool socks if you’re out hiking. The natural fabric will wick away sweat.
Shop Linen Favorites From Madewell and J.Crew
OUTFIT DETAILS
Two Days Off top / exact style or similar from Nordstrom or J.Crew (last seen here)
Madewell shorts / exact (also available from Zappos and Nordstrom)
Earth sandals c/o / old; similar by Nisolo (also available from Zappos, Anthropologie, or Nordstrom)
Amazon hair pins / exact
Minnie + George bag / old; similar by Quince
Le Specs sunglasses / exact via Revolve, Shopbop, or Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow in rosewood / exact