Every year around Memorial Day, I start to go through my closet in search of all my warmer weather pieces. And every year, I find myself gravitating towards the same pieces. Why?
It’s the fabric. It may seem obvious but picking the right fabrics can make a big difference in one’s comfort and ability to enjoy these warm, sunny days.
But what fabrics should we be keeping an eye out for?
Here are my top five!
- Cotton
An easy material to find in most stores, you can’t go wrong with a soft, comfortable cotton piece in your closet. Whether it’s a classic, cotton t-shirt, a flowy cotton dress, or shorts, I love having these staples in my summer rotation. Some of my favorite cotton pieces are from Everlane (Organic Cotton T-Shirt, The Easy Short, Gauze Tiered Dress), but there are plenty of other shops that have great options too!
Another great thing about cotton is how easy it is to care for and maintain. I’ve had a few staple cotton pieces that have held up really well over years of use and washes.
- Linen
Another great fabric option for these summer months is linen. It’s become increasingly popular in recent years and is sometimes sold as a set, which is great for creating quick, easy outfits! Or alternatively, you can find a nice linen jumpsuit like this one from Quince. I love all of their beautiful, versatile color options, but the one I got and use all the time is in the color Driftwood.
While linen is very light and offers an easy, laidback look, keep in mind that it can wrinkle easily when planning your summer outfits.
- Tencel
Tencel fibers, which are derived from Eucalyptus trees, also make for a breathable clothing piece. Unlike cotton and linen though, tencel is moisture wicking which makes it great for especially hot summer days.
Some other benefits of this material are that it’s stretchy, drapes really well, and is wrinkle resistant. Last summer, when my family and I went to Europe in late August, I packed a few Tencel pieces like the Quince Tencel Jumpsuit and the Quince Tencel Side Tie Midi Dress and they held up really well in a suitcase!
- Silk
And of course, I can’t forget silk on this list! Silk can be great for more special occasions or even just dressing up to go into the office. It’s soft and breathable and adds the perfect touch of elegance to any summer wardrobe. It also drapes beautifully and can be mixed and matched with more casual pieces like jeans to wear every day. Here’s one from Quince that is also low maintenance!I would be wary of wearing silk on a rainy day or particularly humid day though as it can cling and take a bit longer to dry than other fabrics on the list.
- Rayon
My last fabric on the list is rayon, also known as viscose. Rayon has similar characteristics as silk in that it’s soft, draped well, and can feel luxurious on the skin. However, it’is not a natural fiber which makes it less effective at wicking away moisture than other options mentioned above. That being said, this one should also be worn cautiously depending on the weather.
I hope this guide helps you all, especially those of you online shopping for your summer wardrobes! It’s tricky not being in stores and getting to feel the fabrics in person, but the search can also be fun (and gives you permission to do a little extra shopping). Try out these fabrics for yourself and let me know what you think!
