Natural Fabrics You’ll Want To Wear Into The Office This Summer
Her Style
It’s peak summer weather, and you still need to go into the office. To keep things classy, you may not want to show up in a crop top or shorts, but there’s still a way to show up stylish, comfortable, and professional. When it comes to dressing for the hot weather, fabrics that keep you cool are what matter the most, not the amount of clothing you have on. Fabrics and materials that are airy, breathable, and lightweight minimize sweat and allow airflow. Here are some natural fibers you should look for when you’re buying your summer work wardrobe.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural, biodegradable material that is known for its softness and breathability. The structure of cotton fibers allows air to circulate instead of being trapped between your clothing and your skin. Cotton is also highly absorbent, capable of holding up to 27 times its weight in moisture without becoming heavy with sweat. The downside of cotton is that, despite being a natural fabric, cotton requires excessive amounts of water to grow and harvest, making it not the most sustainable choice. Luckily, recycled and organic cotton clothing is an option, too.
Cotton clothes are widely available at most stores, from cotton socks and underwear to shirts and slacks. Retailers like Kotn, The Gap, and Quince carry high-quality, sustainable, 100 percent cotton garments ranging from mid-range to affordable pricing.
Linen
Linen is the fiber made from the flax plant. The fibers are so strong and durable that it’s been used as battle armor by the Ancient Greeks.
Linen is the perfect summer fabric because it has low thermal conductivity and high breathability properties. It’s typically loosely woven, making it light and airy for boho-style shirts, dresses, and bottoms. Linen absorbs sweat and moisture more quickly than cotton and can hold up to 20% of its weight in moisture. For best care, avoid using fabric softeners when washing linen clothing to avoid clogging the natural breathable fibers of the fabric. Shop at Uniqlo, not PERFECT LINEN, and Banana Republic for premium linen options.
Silk
Silk is great for those with sensitive skin and allergies to cotton and synthetic fibers. It’s a fabric that feels cooling and luxurious on the skin, leveling up any outfit without much effort. While thin, airy and breathable, it’s also excellent at preserving your skin’s moisture because of the smooth texture, creating less friction. It’s why silk pajamas are so popular for sleeping through hot nights.
While not the most affordable option nor vegan, silk does hold up well in second-hand thrift stores. If you want the most luxurious silk clothing, L’Agence and LilySilk are known for their high-quality silks.
Hemp
Hemp is the most sustainable fabric of all natural textiles. Made from the stalks of the cannabis plant (no THC involved), it needs significantly less water to grow and is resilient enough to not require pesticides. It’s also an extremely adaptable crop, meaning it can grow almost anywhere in the world by absorbing carbon in the soil and stabilizing it. Hemp is a versatile, insulating material that can keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Over time, it becomes softer with wear and, best of all, hemp is antimicrobial, meaning it can resist odorous smells from sweat, mildew, and mold.
