Avoid These Fabrics in the Heat (and What to Wear Instead)
While the official start of summer is still weeks away, temperatures across the country have already soared. And while sweating is completely normal and critical to regulating body temperature, no one likes to show up to work with a shirt already soaked from a morning commute. But more importantly, spending the day in wet, sweaty clothes is very unpleasant.
No material can stop you from sweating, but some are better at keeping moisture out than others. Different situations call for different types of clothing (and fabrics), and today we’ll focus on clothing for activities such as commuting, indoor work, errands, and socializing rather than training (indoors or outdoors), hiking. or expenses. day at the beach. (This post from REI has recommendations for the best fabrics for outdoor activities in hot weather.)
Here are a few examples of fabrics that can’t be worn in the summer heat and which ones can be worn instead.
Fabrics not to wear in summer
These materials have good qualities, but they are not comfortable to wear in hot weather:
- Polyester : Polyester has improved over the years, but it still repels moisture, leaving it on the skin and causing increased perspiration. And whatever you do, be sure to avoid the thicker, completely breathable type that was commonly used in the 1950s and 1970s.
- Viscose : natural cellulose made from wood or bamboo pulp (or a similar material) and made using chemicals. Most types of viscose repel moisture, leaving you sweaty. However, check the label, as some blends (such as rayon and linen) are suitable for hot weather.
- Acrylic : A synthetic, more affordable version of wool , it traps heat between fabric and leather.
- Nylon : Designed to repel water, great for workouts, but also retains odor, can be irritating, and is not breathable at all, so nylon is not the best option for everyday wear.
- Fleece : Another synthetic fabric made for cold weather , designed to keep you warm.
- Satin : Smooth but not breathable .
- Skin : It is thick, does not breathe and warms you uncomfortable . This includes “vegan leather” (also known as vinyl).
- Traditional Wool : Not the newer lighter versions of wool – we’re talking heavy, itchy wool that gets even heavier when it gets wet.
The best fabrics for summer
Everyone has their own preferences, but here are the fabrics that experts say are, for the most part, the best options for summer:
- Cotton : Breathable, moisture-wicking, lightweight and comfortable, this summer favorite is for a reason.
- Linen : Natural open fabric keeps you cool and absorbs moisture. In addition, it is not only more durable than cotton, but also more structured, which means that it will not stick to the body on hot days.
- Jersey : It is breathable and hugs (rather than tight) the body. 100% cotton jersey is best, but a mixture of wool, cotton and synthetics is also suitable.
- Chambray : A lightweight alternative to denim in finely woven cotton with a high thread count.
- Merino wool : soft, lightweight, breathable and moisture wicking .
- Silk is recommended for its smoothness and lightness, but should be worn with care: if you get hot enough to sweat, it will wrinkle and stain easily .
Again, the best fabrics for summer depend a lot on what you do with them. In other words, if you know you’re going to be especially active one day, you need to take a different approach than if you were dressing during the day, sitting in the office or on the terrace.