warmer weather clothing help

always trying

what fabrics do you buy for hotter weather? My goal is to have enough pieces in my wardrobe that are absolutely without any polyester or spandex in them, to dress for all daytime occasions. In my climate it usually cools off enough at night for other things. Other than cotton and linen, I am finding lyocell and lyocell cotton combo being fairly comfortable. Last year I found nice fitting capris in the lyocell/cotton and bought them in two colors. Also a pair of lyocell crops at Bass. For tops I have been sticking to cotton and linen. these are not very dressy and also wrinkle a lot. What about rayon? mostly my daytime dressing is very casual to business casual activities.

Also I have decided to add a pair of shorts (the (*##) with baggy knees) when it gets really hot...

7 years ago

General

10 replies

Latest reply was from

JAileen

Veteran

Last year I bought several pairs of crops. I think they're cotton and a little spandex. I have very hot summers (in the 90s for weeks and weeks) and was comfortable. Other than cotton and linen, I can't think of anything comfortable. I tried some synthetic hiking shirts that my husband loved. Other than protection from the sun, they had no redeeming qualities, and I donated them.

7 years ago

Irina

Veteran

Other than linen and cotton, I wear silk. Tops, tanks, one t-shirt and button down shirts. Also, silk pants, mine are more casual, I'm looking for a pair classic ones if they exist. Cupro is another fabric I like but don't have right now.

7 years ago

Anonymous

This is the capsule I am concentrating on right now - everyday warm weather wear. My warm season is awfully hot and long, though not particularly humid. I wrote a painfully lengthy post about it a while ago. I will look for a link and come back to add it.

ETA: http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....als---long

Do you ever wear casual dresses? I find myself relying on them a lot for everyday casual since they are so cool and easy to wear. I added some of the ones I like below. I haven't worn the Caslon yet, since it was purchased earlier this winter.

Like you, I like cotton and linen, or a blend of the two. I like Tencel as well, if it is a thin enough weave and an airy shape. Rayon and viscose are occasionally ok, too, if they are I loose-fitting items. I personally am not bothered by 2-3% lycra or elastane in the blend of woven fabrics. I am also comfortable in supplex nylon bottoms, like hiking pants and shorts in loose-fitting styles. But like Aileen, I can't stand tops made out of that fabric.

Like Irina, I find silk comfortable in hot weather, but it is so easily sweat-stained that it isn't a good option or me for daytime wear. When it's 100 degrees or more, that is something to worry about even walking to and from my car. I have started hand washing my silk blouses, though, which makes me more likely to wear them in summer for business/dressy casual occasions.

View Info

View Info

View Info

Caslon Stripe Linen Shift Dress (Regular & Petite)

View Info

Top Pick

7 years ago

Diana

Veteran

Cotton, linen, silk.

For really hot weather I like sack dresses (like the ones Ryce posted) best. No waistband and nothing to cling to my legs. In that kind of shape, fabric is more forgiving I think, because there's plenty of room for air to move around. Similarly a loose top will feel cooler than a fitted one in the same fabric. Even lightweight woven (but not knit) polyester can be OK in that kind of breezy shape.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I wear rayon, rayon blends, viscose blends, cotton blends, silk, silk blends. And I believe polyester has its place. I wear 100% poly and will absolutely wear poly blends too.

7 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

How about viscose-linen blends? They don't wrinkle as much but I don't know if they're less breathable than pure linen.

7 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I like rayon by any of its names and silk besides linen and blends of these. Cotton is not a favorite for hot weather unless the piece is woven rather than knit, loose and stands away from the body at least a little.

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Linen, cotton, rayon.

I have worn poly in the summer if the item is very loose fitting, in which case I think it works quite well. I have worn maxi skirts made of poly, and they are quite cool.

7 years ago

Anonymous

No silk for me either, but lots of linen and cotton and some viscose and poly. You can sometimes find woven cotton shirts in a puckered fabric, which feels cooler because less of it makes contact with the body. Also, no ironing! Seersucker is the platonic example but it is not easy to find a stylish piece. I had a really cute J. Crew button-down in a very lightweight cotton, plaid, and puckered. Maybe worth seeking something like that out. (ETA J. Crew calls it "crinkle," if you search on that term there's currently a version in gingham and another in a dark plaid. Sorry, I don't know how to do finds on mobile!)

7 years ago

Anonymous

I have several NYDJ sleeveless tops that are poly, and I love them. We take vacations in the Caribbean, and they're fine even in the hottest weather. Then again, I tend to get cold easily, so take this for what it's worth.

7 years ago

Category