I get asked this question frequently from my customers. So often in fact, that I almost exclusively make clothes that are great for summers.
The ideal summertime wardrobe consists of naturally woven cloth like cotton or linen that are slightly loose-fitting. You can stay cool by wearing these cloth because they are both breathable and moisture-absorbing.
IMPORTENT: Please be aware that I will refer to general cloth qualities throughout the text. The various varied grades and blends that are available for the same cloth type can dramatically alter a cloth's features.
What makes cotton or linen so great for hot weather?
Cotton has a moisture absorption capacity of 25%, somewhat higher than that of linen at 20%. They are therefore ideal for hot, humid weather since they can absaorb sweat and keep you comfortable.
In addition, materials made of cotton or linen breathe well. This indicates that clothing made of them permits air to flow through cloth, which is crucial to control and lower your body temperature.
Which is better - Cotton or Linen?
Generally speaking, cotton is softer and lighter than linen. Nevertheless, washing tends to make linen softer over time.
Both cotton and linen are hard-wearing materials, but linen is stronger and may last for a very long time.
In general, cotton is less expensive than linen. This is because to how difficult and expensive it is to prepare linen.
It's really simple to wrinkle linen. Therefore, it might not perform well in a work environment. As a result, linen is suitable for casual clothing. Both situations call for cotton.
Both cotton and linen are effective moisture absorbers. However, linen does not stick to your body when cotton does when exposed to excessive wetness.
Both make excellent choices for summer apparel in my opinion. In general, cotton is preferable, especially for workplace attire. However, linen should be preferred if you expect to perspire a lot and want to lessen the likelihood of the cloth clinging to your body.
What styles or fit works best for summers?
The movement of air lets body heat escape. Therefore, wearing looser clothing will keep you cooler than wearing clothing that fits more closely. In the summer, a dress will keep you cooler than a pair of pants. But there is also a role for sunlight. “Sunlight” is a relative term. You can stay cooler by wearing a long, linen dress or skirt rather than shorts.
A difference can also be made by colours. Brighter colours reflect more heat and light, keeping you cooler. If you want something that is a darker tone, I wouldn't stress too much about this, though, as other considerations are more crucial.
If a blazer is required for work, it ought to be unlined. The cloth used to line blazers typically absorbs heat. In the summer, wear unlined blazers.
Other quick tips for beating the summer heat
While hats certainly block the sun, they also keep heat from escaping. A straw hat, which does allow some heat to escape, would be a solution.
In the heat, keeping a handkerchief in your pocket can be very useful.
You can soak a scarf in cold water before wearing it, which is another nice choice.
Having few or lightweight items also aids in keeping cool.
