If you’ve been indoors favouring air-conditioned spaces over the Great Outdoors – you’ll know the apical summer months are here. To stay cool even whilst outdoors means finding clothes that will stay dry and provide ample breeze while looking stylish and chic. Prompted by a pandemic that’s disrupted traditional fashion cycles, brands have found themselves rooted back in reality, embracing wearable classics and everyday attire.
What could be more realistic than humidity fielding the streets and sweat overstaying its natural welcome? Don’t let the heat falter your summer style. As brands take a step back from trends, fabrics and textiles have been pushed forward and the once difficult task of finding something beautiful to wear in the heat now takes stock in all types of silhouettes.
For the love of linen
Out with the old, in with Tencel
True classics need no reinvention. The same could be said about the longevity of fabrics and how long they stay in our closets. Designer Mara Hoffman is well aware that a great textile goes beyond feeling good on the skin. It should also offer a versatility and lend itself to multiple appearances across collections and styles. Enter: Tencel. The third generation of rayon improves upon the plant-derived fibre by being anti-bacterial and absorbent of sweat – perfect for summer but timeless on its own accord.
Chill in Merino Wool
Although beach days and island hops will dot our itineraries, a portion of the season will be spent exploring new cafés, restaurants, and exhibitions too. To combat both hot and cold, it’s essential to have a piece that functions well in every setting you imagine yourself in this summer. Consider the ultra-sheer wool grown from a Merino sheep for versatility and performance. Unlike the synthetic fibres that trap heat under the sun, merino wool is a material that sits comfortably on the skin instead of lingering to sweat. A light sweater with cable-knit stitching will also do wonders in avoiding an unpleasant, disheveled appearance. In fact, Merino wool is so celebrated in the world of fashion, it warrants its own category of award. The International Woolmark Prize rewards emerging designers (previous recipients being Valentino Garavani, Yves Saint Laurent, and Karl Lagerfeld) who can create knitwear that wows, even in the cruel heat of summer.
Big up bamboo
When concerned with movement and activity, uncompromised comfort is key. Turn to bamboo – the soft, durable, moisture-wicking material. With the rise of slow fashion, bamboo has been cropping up in all types of apparel but the fabric works best when your body is at work. Athleisure companies and loungewear brands have taken note of this, developing high-quality pieces with the textile that remain stylish while being ultra-wearable, specifically when there is sweat involved.
Editor
Rachelle MaCredit
Lead image: Getty Images
