When the mercury soars, most retreat indoors and reach for loose-fitting or neutral-coloured clothing. But if you love going out, summer dressing can be a challenge. With our guide, you’ll learn about the best fabrics for keeping you cool while still looking stylish. 

Opt for lightweight and breathable textiles

Dressing for summer isn’t always fun. You have allergies and oppressive heat to deal with. Often, while still having to commute to work. Light and breathable fabrics will help you feel cooler in two ways: they will draw away sweat from the skin and allow air to flow through them, helping you stay cool. 

Silk, linen and cotton are all great fabrics for summer dressing. And if you don’t want to be restricted to muted tones, you can also turn to patterned fabrics, such as chintz or bold ikat prints. Avoid fabrics that are heavy and that retain heat – such as wool, denim and polyester. Instead, choose lightweight cotton blouses and dresses for hot weather. Opt for crisp cotton shirts and silk or linen trousers if you want to look polished and put together.

Stay cool with light colours

Darker colours will make you feel warmer and hotter. By contrast, lighter colours will help you stay cool. The human body loses heat through the skin, so a lighter colour reflects the heat and makes you feel cooler than a darker one. Lighter colours, such as white, blue, yellow, etc., allow air and heat to flow through them. This is why you often see people wearing white or light-coloured clothes on hot days or in hot climates. 

Natural fibers that will make you feel good

Natural fabrics are often more comfortable and lightweight than their synthetic counterparts. They also wick away sweat and will help you stay drier and more comfortable. 

• Silk 

Silk can be the perfect summer fabric – lightweight, breathable and a natural insulator. Silk is also naturally hypoallergenic and can be ideal for those with sensitive skin. 

• Cotton 

Cotton is a popular choice for summer clothes. It’s lightweight and easy to care for. It will also wick away sweat, so you stay drier longer. 

• Linen 

Linen is a natural fibre and an excellent fabric for summer clothes. It’s lightweight and comfortable, and it’s also very breathable. 

• Bamboo 

Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular in clothing and is the perfect choice for summer clothes. It’s lightweight, highly breathable and has natural antibacterial properties.

Experiment with prints and bright colours

Prints and bright colours will help you stay cool as they have fewer black or dark colours. If your top has a lot of black, it will keep you hot and make you uncomfortable. If you want to stay cool, use less dense colours. But that doesn’t mean you need to avoid interesting patterns or designs because they have dark colours. For example, if you want to wear a patterned shirt, you can pair it with plain or light-coloured pants. Alternatively, you can choose lighter-coloured fabrics (such as ikat or georgette) and pair them with basic colours (such as white or navy blue).

Discover the magic of layering

Layering clothing has long been a way to stay cool in the summer and beyond. While it’s not necessary to layer all the time, it is an excellent technique to know for special occasions or when you spend a lot of time outdoors. You can use various fabrics for layering. For example, you can use a light-coloured linen button-down shirt as an undershirt and then layer it with a darker-coloured overshirt. You don’t have to layer in the same way that everyone else does. Instead, you can layer in a way that makes you feel comfortable. Experiment with different fabrics and styles to find what works best for you.

Accessorize to add interest

Accessories are a great way to add fun to your outfit and help you experiment with different fabrics and textures. You can use jewelry and belts to bring attention to your outfit and help you stay cool. The cause and effect collection has a great selection if you want to have a stylish addition to your summer style. 

Make the most of the season’s accessories like hats, sunglasses and shoes. They’re a simple but effective way to add colour and pattern to even the simplest summer look. And some additions will even protect you from oppressive heat. Wear a fedora or a wide-brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face and neck. Don’t forget to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and look stylish.