Trending silhouettes, colors, and looking summertime fine is important, but the fabric you’re wearing is just as important as the style. Summer dresses are easy to throw on whether it’s for travel or a day out, but which fabrics offer the breathability and comfort needed for hot weather?
Fabric Picks:
When choosing fabrics for warm weather, keep in mind that cool, breathable, and comfortable fabrics are safe bets. Choose light colors to reflect the light and keep you cool.
Cotton
Cotton (is a natural fiber that allows air to flow freely, whether it’s hot, dry, or humid. Good quality cotton will allow airflow and quickly travel to damp areas of the body. Cotton has many types, including seersucker, chambray, poplin, and many more varieties perfect for summer. A fabric like chambray is very breathable given its high thread count resulting in a finer weave.
Cotton Poplin
Typically made for men’s shirts, cotton poplin is also great for summer dresses. It’s a soft, crisp fabric that’s breathable. Offering a polished look, cotton poplin is an excellent choice for formal events during the summer, like weddings and other gatherings.
Cotton Jersey
Made by knitting cotton fibers together, cotton jersey provides a slight stretch and maximum comfort against the body.
Cotton Gauze
If a super airy fabric for your summer dresses is what you seek, then look no further than cotton gauze. This fabric is breezy and lightweight. Cotton gauze is typically quite thin, so a lining is suggested for opacity’s sake.
Linen
Another natural fiber great for summer is linen. Its light weave will help keep you cool while also being comfortable due to its high permeability. While linen is made for warm weather, it wrinkles easily, so go for a linen blend if you want to cut out the wrinkles.
With a million fabrics to choose from, it’s much easier to make decisions when you know where to start, so this post should certainly make things easier. Enjoy an easy breezy summer using some of these drool-worthy free dress patterns:
It’s looking like summer is happening this year, so where do you plan to wear your first warm-weather dress?
