As summer rolls around, and the weather starts to get warmer, choosing stylish but functional outfits can be difficult. Textural linen or gentle cotton - which is the best fabric for keeping cool in the heat?

Don’t stress, we’re here to help. In this guide, we will talk you through some of your best summer fabric options, and some of the ways you can wear them to still look great during the hottest months of the year.

What to Consider Before Buying Specific Fabrics

What Fabrics Should You Buy This Summer?

Next, let's explore some of the many fabric options you can enjoy. To make it as easy as possible for you, we have highlighted some pros and cons that you should know before you buy clothes in a particular fabric:

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Linen

Linen is a favourite summer fabric choice, especially in mainland Europe.

Pros of wearing linen:

  • Easy to style and wear - linen is a soft fabric that isn’t harsh or abrasive on the skin, meaning it can be worn by those who have sensitive skin.

  • Lightweight - linen is a light, breathable option that will keep you cool in the hotter periods of the year.

Cons of wearing linen:

  • Creasing - Due to linen being a more lightweight fabric, it is prone to creasing while you’re wearing it. These creases will iron out, however there aren't many ways to avoid creasing the garment while you are wearing it.

  • Price point - Depending on where you are looking to shop, linen can be more pricey than other fabric options on the market.

Overall, linen is a good fabric option for the summer months, however it will require more regular care than some other fabric options.

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Cotton and Cotton Blends

Similar to linen, but more widely accessible, cotton and cotton-blend clothes are a common choice all year round. Pros of wearing cotton:

  • Easy to find - Being the most common option, you can find cotton and cotton-blend fabrics in almost any store.

  • Low maintenance - Generally speaking, cotton is an easy fabric to care for. Easy to wash and iron and not prone to staining, cotton and cotton-blends are a great low-maintenance fabric.

Cons of wearing cotton:

  • There are cooler options - if your overall goal is to stay cool in the summer, then there are better options available to you than cotton-based fabrics.

  • Lower quality - due to its wide availability, some of the cotton fabrics you will find in your local stores may be lower quality than other fabric options. This means that the fabric may be more prone to issues such as pilling and staining.

Cotton based fabrics are a very good option, especially if you’re not wanting to spend too much on your new clothes and enjoy a fabric that’s soft and breathable. Some commonly seen cotton fabric types include:

  • Corduroy

  • Denim

  • Flannel

  • Muslin

  • Poplin

  • Terry cloth

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Light Fabric Colours

It goes without saying that lighter colours are an easy win for any summer outfit. But why is this? Pros of lighter summer fabrics:

  • Heat management - during the warmer months, a lighter coloured fabric is going to absorb less heat, ultimately keeping you cooler in the process.

  • Basics options - with more neutral, lighter fabrics, comes more basics for your wardrobe. Whites and beiges can be styled with almost any other colour or pattern you have in your collection.

Cons of lighter summer fabrics:

  • Sweating and staining - with warmer weather comes more sweat soaked into your clothes. When this happens with lighter coloured fabrics, there is a high chance that places where sweat has soaked into the fabric will gain a pale stain as time goes on.

  • Low coverage of undergarments - some lighter fabrics provide a little less coverage than their darker counterparts as the fabric gets stretched through general wear and tear.

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The Best Fabrics For Summer Coverups

As swimwear season arrives, you may want to start thinking about what you can wear as a swimsuit cover-up.

Some common, cooling cover-up fabric options you’ll see when shopping are:

The Best Cuts to Complement Summer Fabrics

Now that we’ve taken a look at the best fabric options, let's discuss what kind of garments you can look forward to wearing.

To stay cool but still look stylish during the summer months, consider buying for your wardrobe:

Upgrade Your Summer Wardrobe With David Nieper

With summer quickly approaching, upgrade your look and shop womenswear with David Nieper. With a range of high-quality pieces available, we have something to suit every style and body type.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Request a catalogue today to start browsing our product range, or contact our team for expert style advice.

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A Guide to the Best Summer Fabrics