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Summer is the quintessential warm season. It is the time for holidays at the sea or in the mountains, as well as for trips to cities of art, and for many, the period when urban life feels most challenging. This is due to increasingly high temperatures, also worsened by the climate crisis. What we can concretely do is certainly learn how to choose the most suitable natural lightweight summer fabrics for this time of year.
Can you already name the most commonly used ones? Certainly, cotton or linen fabrics are the favourites: they ensure freshness, do not cause sweating, and do not irritate the skin. But among the summer wardrobe "must-haves," some garments in fresco wool are indispensable.
By choosing carefully what we wear, we can better endure the scorching summer days without suffering too much from the heat. Not to mention reusing natural fabric bags for our holidays or day trips, making a green and sustainable choice.
Let us therefore explore the characteristics of lightweight, moisture-resistant and breathable fabrics: linen, cotton, and fresco wool.
Lightweight summer fabrics: cotton, linen, and fresco wool
It is well known that the wardrobe follows the seasons, which is no surprise. What is important to focus on is that, both in summer and winter, we can change not only the type of garments we wear but also the materials and compositions of shirts, jackets, or trousers.
The weight and properties of the fibres can indeed make a difference, and lightweight summer fabrics can become valuable allies to combat the heat of July or August. In particular, some natural fabrics are especially effective because they allow breathability and resist humidity. In fact, they enable the skin to breathe better, letting us feel cooler and tolerate the heat more comfortably.
But which natural lightweight summer fabrics are best suited? Besides silk, perfect for more elegant occasions, the most suitable definitely include cotton, linen, and fresco wool.
Linen: breathable and hypoallergenic
Linen is an ancient fabric whose discovery dates back thousands of years: originally, it was used to create the bandages that wrapped mummies in Ancient Egypt!
Over the centuries, the uses of this natural, lightweight, and breathable fibre have greatly expanded. A linen shirt or skirt is an extremely fresh garment to wear on the hottest summer days and even in the evening. Linen has only one drawback: it wrinkles easily, but with the correct washing and careful drying — squeezing the fabric well and hanging it in the sun — the problem is solved.
Linen is derived from a natural fibre and has a somewhat open weave that makes it breathable. It is hypoallergenic, therefore ideal for summer because it can come into contact with the skin without causing irritation. Furthermore, it is 100% sustainable, biodegradable, and recyclable.
Cotton: the perfect fabric for summer
Also, the cotton plant has a millennial history and has been used in many industries over the centuries, but it is in textiles that it has established itself. Worldwide, it is the most used fibre along with wool.
The widespread use of cotton garments is due to its characteristics: it is a lightweight and tear-resistant material yet at the same time soft and highly absorbent, making it perfect as summer clothing.
Depending on how it is processed, various types of cotton can be produced. Each type, in turn, is suitable for different purposes beyond garments. For example, there is a very strong and durable version of this fabric — cotton canvas — used also in jeans production. There is also melange cotton, created by working the fibres together and can be used for producing natural cotton packaging to store cosmetics and beauty products. Finally, we also note cotton muslin, a fabric with a very loose weave, hence very soft to the touch and breathable. Originally from Bangladesh, it is now used both to make light blouses and shirts, and to produce bags with a semi-transparent effect, which keep items visible from the outside, such as shampoo, creams, or other body products.
Fresco wool fabric: the unexpected summer solution
It may seem strange, but wool can also be worn in summer. The variety called "fresco wool" is in fact highly recommended for the warmest season.
This is a natural fabric that allows greater breathability than cotton and at the same time is softer than linen, does not irritate the skin, and is hypoallergenic. The available colours range from grey to brown to blue, allowing for many pairing options. Practical, fresh, and versatile, fresco wool is the perfect fabric for, for example, men's elegant suits and summer ceremonies.
Summer fabrics: not only for clothing but also for bags
Durability, breathability, versatility: all these qualities allow linen and cotton to be used not only in clothing but also for other purposes, such as in fabric packaging.
The fabric packaging sector is increasingly popular because it is requested by consumers, who seek ecological packaging. Furthermore, linen or cotton fabric bags are perfect for holding accessories and garments, for storing and protecting them from moths. These are practical packages for private customers but especially for fashion and accessory companies looking for high-quality packaging to present their products to the final consumer.
For example, a pure linen bag is durable and soft, perfect for protecting and carrying clothing and luxury accessories while maintaining an elegant and refined appearance.
Cotton, on the other hand, is versatile and can be crafted into eco-friendly natural cotton backpacks to carry items of various sizes. Wool combined with felt can also create useful combinations such as a grey boiled wool felt clutch with a shoulder strap and flap closure: an elegant and reusable packaging that functions like a small fashion bag, suitable even for the beach or mountain trips.
Curious to learn more? Browse our catalogue! You will find customizable solutions to create bags and packaging in lightweight, ecological fabrics with special closures, perfect for every need!
