Types of fabrics for summer dresses and tips for choosing the best one. Fabric for a dress: types of material with photos Types of fabrics for summer clothes

Summer is a warm, but sometimes uncomfortable time of year. This is especially true for people who have to spend a lot of time outside or in stuffy rooms. To minimize discomfort from the sultry heat, you need to use clothing that has the following properties:

• hygroscopicity to absorb moisture;
• hygiene;
• crease resistance;
• resistance to frequent washing;
• breathability;
• thermoregulation.

The main factor when choosing summer wardrobe items is the composition of the fabric.

Natural fabrics for the summer season

Summer clothing is made from 100% breathable cotton or a combination of it with small proportions of synthetics. Such products meet all the above requirements, which ensures comfort even in the hottest weather.

Linen fabrics mixed with synthetic fibers have similar properties. In the absence of artificial threads, the material quickly loses its shape and former attractiveness. When ironing linen-based clothing, use a humidifier and wash at high temperatures.

Synthetic fabrics

Elastane has good elongation and the ability to return to its original shape. Typically, the material is used in combination with cotton to achieve a “stretch” effect and greater resistance to deformation. Products of tight-fitting styles are sewn from a combination of cotton and elastane - jeans, skirts, tight trousers, leggings, etc. To ensure shape stability, it is enough to add 5-10% synthetic fibers.

Polyester has found wide application in tailoring due to the following properties:

• high strength;
• anti-pilling effect;
• crease resistance;
• ease of care.

Most often the material is combined with cotton fabric. For the production of fabrics, hypoallergenic polyester is used, which does not cause discomfort or symptoms on sensitive skin.

You can view the catalog of summer clothes made from 100% cotton and mixed fabrics on the online store website Mavango.

In order to create a high-quality wardrobe that will last you a long time and is suitable for any occasion, you need to learn how to choose the right things. The right choice is based not only on your style, taste and ability to combine colors, but also on quality materials and fabrics. Knowing which fabrics to wear in summer and which in winter, which materials are more reliable, and which are worth investing in will undoubtedly allow you to navigate the store well, become a responsible shopper, and complement your wardrobe only with high-quality and worthwhile items.

When I choose new items for my wardrobe, I always check the composition of the material. I will even say more: before I look at and try on a thing, I check the label. And if the material doesn’t suit me, I simply put the thing aside; there can be no compromises here. The fabric determines whether the clothes will be comfortable, high quality and durable. In my opinion and experience, in summer it is better to choose light, breathable, natural materials that do not create a feeling of discomfort, are pleasant to the skin and help you endure hot days well. Today in the first part I propose to talk about materials such as linen, cotton and straw.

Linen, cotton and straw are natural materials of plant origin. I always feel as comfortable as possible in clothes made from these fabrics and can recommend them to you. But, unfortunately, not one fabric is ideal, so I propose to consider the pros and cons of each of them.

Linen

pros

The main advantage for me is that linen allows the body to breathe, i.e. This is a breathable fabric. This is very important, especially for a summer wardrobe.

Another big plus is that linen fabric is completely environmentally friendly, since not a single part of the flax is recycled during its production process. For example, flax production waste is used as fuel; it is also used in the production of furniture or parquet flooring.

In hot weather, linen fabric creates a feeling of coolness due to its good hygroscopicity (i.e., the ability of the material to absorb moisture). Therefore, you will feel more comfortable in a linen shirt than in a polyester one.

Linen fabric is not electrified (unlike synthetic fabrics).

Another advantage of linen fabric is that it is quite easy to care for and is less dirty. Therefore, linen products need to be washed less often, which also increases their service life and reduces the time required to care for them.

Linen products do not stretch.

Linen fabric has very high strength: the strength of linen thread is two times higher than that of cotton and four times higher than that of wool. Therefore, linen products can easily withstand repeated washing and are more durable.

Naturally colored linen fabric (which has not been bleached or dyed) has bactericidal properties - neither bacteria nor fungus linger on it.

Minuses

— Linen fabric wrinkles easily. This, of course, is a significant disadvantage, especially for those who do not like ironing. But against the backdrop of all the advantages of this wonderful fabric, you can forgive it.

— Linen fabric does not have good elasticity. Therefore, I recommend that you definitely try on the item before purchasing it. It should fit your figure perfectly. If an item is too small for you, it will no longer be able to stretch (like jeans or cotton tops).

How to care for linen products

It is not recommended to wash colored linen items at high temperatures (not higher than 40°C), but undyed items can be washed even at 90°C. Machine washable. The products should be dried naturally in a straightened form, since after drying in the dryer they may shrink. It is better to iron the fabric using steam when it is still slightly damp. This will make it easier to smooth out bruises after washing.

My choice

In the summer I love to wear linen shirts, tops and dresses. They make the look light and carefree, and they also help to survive the heat. I can't imagine how you can completely immerse yourself in polyester on a hot summer day. I like dresses and tops that are loose-fitting and slightly oversized. When it comes to pants and shorts, I prefer a linen/cotton combination. In my opinion, they look more sophisticated this way than when they are made entirely from linen. This depends, however, on where you are going to wear them: for the office, I would still recommend a combination of linen and cotton; for free time, 100% linen is also perfect. For my look, I choose only one linen item: either top or bottom, since an all-linen outfit, in my opinion, looks a little careless and peasant-like. My favorite colors are white, blue and powder - they highlight the rough texture of the fabric very well.

Cotton

pros

Cotton fabric is soft and pleasant to the body, it allows the skin to breathe.

Products made from cotton fabric absorb moisture well, which is especially important in summer.

Cotton does not irritate the skin and very rarely causes an allergic reaction (this may most likely occur due to the dye rather than the material itself). I've never had any problems with this.

Cotton products are easy to care for.

Cotton fabric is inferior in strength to linen, but is still considered quite durable and can withstand repeated washing.

Products made from high-quality cotton fabric are quite wear-resistant. But it is worth remembering that the quality of the fiber depends on the type of plant and its growing conditions. The best cotton grows in hot countries - Egypt, India; it produces very long fibers, from which the finest and highest quality fabric is obtained. But, unfortunately, many manufacturers use low-quality cotton, which quickly stretches and becomes covered with pills.

Cotton combines well with other fibers. To make fabric, impurities are often used that can adjust its properties. I recommend that you pay attention to elastane. The addition of elastane, as a rule, improves the properties of the fabric: it allows it to better restore its shape after washing and stretch better. This is a very good combination, especially if you want clothes to hug your body. But elastane should be added in very small quantities - usually 2-5%. Therefore, always pay attention to the labels.

Minuses

— Products made from cotton fabric wrinkle easily. But if you carefully fold and store them, then things will wrinkle much less. Here you can use Marie Kondo’s technique: roll things into tubes and place them vertically in drawers. Now this Japanese method has become very popular.

— Cotton fabric can be deformed: stretch or shrink. I believe it depends more on the quality of the material, high quality fabric will be less prone to warping.

— Cotton items may become yellowish over time.

Method of caring for cotton products

Cotton items can be washed in a machine: white and colored plain items - at a temperature not exceeding 95ºС, colored items - at 60ºС, thin colored items - at 40ºС. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. It is better to dry cotton items flattened. Drying in a machine is not recommended, as the item may become deformed. It is better to iron the fabric using steam or slightly damp.

My choice

As for the choice of clothes, in the summer cotton items predominate in my wardrobe. I can dress in this material from head to toe and feel very comfortable. I love cotton t-shirts, dresses, pants, shorts, shirts, tops, underwear. The main thing is to choose good quality cotton. From my own experience I can say: the denser and “fleshy” the fabric, the longer the item will last, and the less likely it will be to stretch and deform. As for the cut, in my wardrobe there are both tight-fitting and fitted items, as well as wide ones. My favorite colors are white, blue, blue, beige sand, red. I also really love striped tops and dresses. In the summer, I often change my leather bag to a cotton one: during the heat, the touch of cotton on the shoulder and body is much more pleasant than leather. I prefer tote bags. They're very roomy, lightweight and durable, and there are so many designs and colors to choose from that there's something to suit everyone's style. I also love cotton shoes, which I can’t do without in any of my summers: espadrilles and sneakers. They are very comfortable for long walks, pleasant to wear and very light.

Straw

pros

Straw is a lightweight, breathable and well-blown material.

The big plus is that the straw material provides good UV protection.

Straw is a natural and ecological material.

Straw is an affordable material.

Minuses

— Straw is a fairly fragile material, so if it is poorly woven, it can tear quite quickly.

— This material does not tolerate moisture and can be deformed under its influence.

— The straw may turn yellow over time.

Method of caring for straw products

Straw products must be cleaned of dust after wearing. To do this, you can use a soft damp brush or a well-wrung out sponge. Straw products recover their shape well from steam if they suddenly become deformed. Try to avoid exposure to large quantities of water, as this will cause the straw to swell and the product may become permanently deformed. A little secret: before I send the straw product to “winter,” I thoroughly clean it with a solution of lemon juice in a ratio of 1:4. This helps prevent yellowing and keeps the item in good condition.

My choice

I'm a straw hat fan. This is a wonderful and at the same time useful accessory: it protects from the sun, prevents your head from overheating and at the same time looks very stylish. On vacation or in nature, you can wear wide-brimmed straw hats; for the city, I prefer a boater hat with a small brim. A straw hat is a classic and stylish accessory that will perfectly complement your flying look. I also recommend a straw bag. Today you can find many different models, suitable for both work and leisure. Even famous fashion houses make handbags from straw, so there is something for everyone. Personally, I prefer the classic basket bag. It is light and summer elegant. This bag will go well with jeans or shorts with a white or blue shirt (in the style of Jane Birkin), or with a flowy linen or cotton dress. You can take it for walks, picnics, shopping and to the beach. I also love straw shoes - sandals, flip-flops and espadrilles. On a hot day this is the best choice. But it is worth remembering that if you get caught in the rain wearing such shoes, they can become completely unusable.

What do you think of these materials? Which one is your favorite?

When shopping online to update your wardrobe, we focus primarily on the description of the composition of fabrics and other materials. Using high-quality material is the maximum chance that the item will be pleasant and practical to wear, and will look decent. Each fabric has its own advantages and disadvantages, so before purchasing a new dress or blouse, evaluate the correspondence between the characteristics of the material and the purposes for which you are purchasing the item.

Natural fabrics or synthetics?

A couple of decades ago, with just the word “synthetics,” the value of a thing in the eyes of the buyer fell several times. But recent advances in technology and science make it possible to create synthetic fabrics with improved characteristics regarding breathability and moisture management. Surely, you are familiar with branded sports items made from such fabrics. They are easy to use, easy to wash and dry quickly. But, despite all the advantages of modern synthetics, natural fabrics and materials, as well as mixed fabrics with a predominance of natural fibers, remain the most preferred.

Cotton

Natural cotton is ideal for the body: it breathes, absorbs moisture well and is simply pleasant to the body. When choosing summer clothes, make sure that the material is not too dense. For organic lovers, there are organic cotton lines that are popular in the USA and Europe. Both basic T-shirts and elegant dresses are made from cotton.

Madras

Fine cotton fabric with the same pattern on the front and back sides. Usually has a striped pattern and is ideal for summer suits in the style of the 60s.

Crinkled fabric, “reaper” - Seersucker

Indian crinkled cotton fabric for summer wardrobe deserves a special word. The very thin material allows the body to breathe, but thanks to its compressed shape, this fabric protects the body from overheating.

Linen

Linen fabric is created from flax fibers and is more expensive than cotton fabrics. But linen has undeniable advantages over cotton: it retains coolness better and is more wear-resistant. Linen items fit perfectly into the summer style of both business representatives and people of liberal professions. But linen requires more effort to iron out folds and creases. Abroad, the visible natural bruising of well-groomed linen items is considered a kind of chic.

Silk

Without any doubt, silk has been and remains the best fabric for summer clothes. However, it is worth noting that we are talking about natural silk, and not its imitation polyester. Silk fabric is light, thin and durable, and its ability to keep you cool can rival any material. To ensure that silk items retain their original appearance for as long as possible, wash them with special powders and detergents.

Viscose – Rayon

Viscose is called artificial silk for its aesthetic qualities. This fabric is created from natural wood through complex chemical processing, so viscose is considered a semi-synthetic material. Clothing made from viscose looks great and fits well, the cost is relatively low, and it also has good permeability to air and moisture. The disadvantage is rapid wear and loss of appearance.

Georgette

A translucent, lightweight, thin fabric that does not have a chiffon sheen is georgette, a fabric named after the French couturier Georgette de la Plante. Today this fabric is often compared to chiffon. Georgette was originally made from silk, but today the fabric can be found using wool and polyester fibers. Georgette will be especially convenient for summer evening and cocktail dresses.

Jersey

Jersey fabric is made from wool, cotton and synthetic fibers. The material is good for any type of clothing, but not for the hottest days of summer. At the same time, items made from jersey do not require special care and easily restore their appearance after washing.

Chambray – Chambray

Summer jeans wouldn't be so comfortable without a lightweight imitation of this fabric - chambray. Quite a dense fabric among other summer materials, but if you can’t imagine life without jeans, then chambray trousers will be a great alternative. This fabric was originally made from linen, but today cotton chambray is more popular. The chambray color can be any color, which very successfully diversifies the summer looks of denim lovers.

Absorbent synthetic materials - Synthetic Wicking Fabrics

Summer is not a reason to suspend or postpone sports, but quite the opposite: modern adsorbent (moisture-absorbing) synthetic materials make summer jogging or fitness classes comfortable and fashionable. However, high-quality synthetics are not too cheap, but unlike cotton they will last a long time.

When purchasing clothes in foreign online stores, study the description especially carefully in the section with a description of fabrics, but if the definition is not completely clear, such as “silk”, check with the seller; in this example, whether the silk is natural or artificial.

Summer is a special time of the year, a time to experiment with clothes, an opportunity to create new images and reveal your individuality. Summer clothes should be fashionable, beautiful and comfortable at the same time, so special requirements are placed on the fabrics of a summer wardrobe. Summer fabrics should have the following properties:

• hygroscopicity - should absorb sweat well;
• thermoregulation - the fabric should give off heat in hot weather;
• ventilation - the fabric should “breathe” and allow air to pass through well;
• antifungal and antiallergic - should prevent the proliferation of microorganisms and prevent the occurrence of skin diseases.

All this is well known to consumers and craftswomen who sew clothes for themselves and their families. They are also well aware that finding good quality fabric today is not so easy, since quite often fabric of synthetic origin is passed off as natural. For people who sew a lot and constantly, it is better to purchase fabric directly from the manufacturer; thanks to the Internet, this task has become easier to solve, you just need to find a suitable textile company, such as TK Solidarnost, for example.

Natural fabrics for summer

Natural fabrics have all the beneficial properties listed above. A common disadvantage of natural fabrics is high wrinkleability, the possibility of shrinkage during washing and low wear resistance. To reduce the disadvantages of natural fabrics to a minimum, 5-20% synthetic fibers are added to their composition during production. There are only four types of natural fabrics: wool, silk, cotton and linen.

Cotton summer fabrics include calico, chintz, taffeta, poplin, satin, cambric, voile and denim. The presence of cotton in the composition of the material is a guarantee of unconditional advantages for the buyer, but it should be remembered that pure cotton without synthetic additives quickly loses color and fades, products made from it are prone to rapid deformation and wear. To obtain lasting color in light industry, a chemical fixative is often used, and it can cause allergic reactions on the skin.

Linen and silk are traditional summer fabrics made from natural fiber.

Linen is highly breathable, hygroscopic, but wrinkles a lot, as a result of which it quickly loses its aesthetic appearance. Linen can be washed and ironed at high temperatures, but you will have to use a humidifier when ironing.

Silk is beautiful and elegant, but if dyed poorly, it fades and loses its shape. Therefore, silk products are usually dry-cleaned or special products are used that fix the dye when washed independently.

Silky chiffon is popular among summer fabrics - a light translucent fabric from which blouses, skirts, and dresses are sewn. Atlas is also widely used for manufacturing.

Wool is rarely used in summer, although a pair of trousers and a skirt made of fine suiting fabric for cool evenings can be present in any wardrobe. The advantages of wool include high air permeability and good thermoregulation. Disadvantages: strong wrinkleability and fragility; wool can cause allergies.

Artificial fabrics

Among artificial fabrics, the most common is viscose, which is often mistaken for a natural material due to its appearance, reminiscent of cotton fabrics. Viscose is obtained from wood cellulose, so it does not belong to the category of synthetic fabrics produced by chemical methods and has good hygroscopic properties. However, viscose also has the disadvantages of natural fabrics - rapid wear, deformation and creasing, in addition, viscose loses strength when wet, all of which are eliminated by adding synthetic fibers or further processing.

Synthetic summer fabrics

From the very beginning of its appearance, the buyer has a negative attitude towards synthetics, because most synthetic fabrics do not absorb moisture and do not “breathe”, thereby causing discomfort and sometimes a number of skin diseases. At the same time, they have increased strength, resistance to deformation and creasing.

Synthetic materials such as elastane and polyester deserve special attention.

Elastane fiber can stretch hundreds of times, and after stretching it can return to its original shape. Thanks to this property, the addition of elastane to natural fibers makes the fabric resistant to deformation and a “stretch” effect is achieved. Elastane is used in combination with cotton in the manufacture of underwear, tights and hosiery. It was elastane in the fabric that made tight-fitting clothes, like sheath dresses or pencil skirts, comfortable to wear, and leggings and tight trousers that are fashionable today do not lose their shape in the area of ​​the knees and buttocks. In order for natural fabric to retain its shape for a long time, it is enough to add only 5-10% elastane to the fabric composition.

Polyester is obtained from a polymer material, so debate about the dangers of this material has been going on since the day of its invention. But while the harmful effects of polyester have not been proven, it is widely used for the production of fabrics. Polyester is usually added to natural fabrics - wool and cotton - to increase strength, resistance to environmental factors, and reduce wrinkles and deformation. They have learned to make fabrics from polyester that are similar in appearance to satin, chiffon, satin, etc., and they make a huge range of different clothes and accessories for children and adults from it. It is worth noting that clothing made from synthetic fabrics is much cheaper than wardrobe items made from natural fibers.

How to choose summer fabric

Natural fibers have useful properties, but clothes made from them wear out quickly, and deformed products look unaesthetic. Summer fabrics made of synthetic fiber can cause discomfort, do not allow air to pass through and do not absorb moisture. How to choose clothes for summer? Of course, in summer preference should be given to cotton and linen, but with the addition of artificial fibers. Typically, the volume of polyester or elastane in summer fabrics is no more than 10%. This is enough to preserve the appearance of the product and increase the strength of the fabric.

The article was prepared specifically for MirSovet.ru -

There is a great variety of cotton fabrics, because cotton is the most common material in the textile industry. Products made from cotton fabrics are mostly pleasant to the touch, high quality, strong, durable and inexpensive. Cotton perfectly absorbs moisture while remaining dry to the touch. It washes well. In general, the list of its advantages is extensive.

Almost all types of weaving are used in the production of cotton fabrics, but the most popular of them is still the simplest, linen.

Cotton fabrics can be divided according to the nature of their finishing. Here are some of the types:

• Severe. These are fabrics without any finishing or dyeing at all.
• Bleached - those that have undergone a bleaching stage at the factory using special substances.
• Plain painted. These are fabrics that are uniformly dyed in one color.
• Melange. They are made from yarn made from fibers dyed in different colors.
• Mulinated. Fabrics woven from two-color or multi-color twisted yarn.
• Printed. Fabrics with a printed design or pattern.
• Multi-colored fabrics also have a pattern, but it is formed during the weaving process by alternating multi-colored warp (vertical) and weft (horizontal) threads.
• Mercerized. Treated fabrics that have undergone special chemical treatment. They become more pleasant to the touch and more durable.

Cotton fabrics can also be divided into household and technical. Clothes and home textiles are made from household waste. Technical ones are used in the manufacture of equipment, in the chemical, furniture industries and in many other industries.

Types of cotton fabrics

It's easy to get lost in the kingdom of cotton. We bring to your attention a table that will allow you to navigate this great variety of cotton fabrics a little better.

Textile	Appearance	Fabric properties	What do they make from it?
Bike		Dense, soft, affordable fabric that can withstand the cold. Has thick pile	Pajamas, shirts, home clothes
Velvet		Soft, luxurious fabric. Thick pile on the front side	Pantsuits, dresses, curtains
		Warm, dense, durable, wear-resistant fabric of the simplest plain weave. Looks the same on both sides
Waffle fabric		Unusual appearance. Rigid fabric with excellent absorbent properties	Towels
Velveteen		Dense fabric with longitudinal ribs on the front side	Coats, skirts, suits, trousers
Guipure		Various weaves of twisted threads, reminiscent of lace, form convex patterns on the fabric	Evening dresses, underwear, blouses
Denim fabric		Durable, rough, dense fabric	The most varied clothes
Kiseya		Thin, airy, transparent plain weave fabric. Weft threads entwined with a pair of warp threads remain straight and lie separately	Children's clothing, women's dresses
Eraser		Thin, light, shiny satin weave fabric, similar to satin	Shirts, dresses, linings
Gauze		Transparent, thin mesh fabric with very low density	Used in medicine, printing, sewing
Terry fabric		A fabric with a loop weave and a pile that is formed by pulling the warp threads.	Robes, towels, sheets
Moleskin		Thick satin weave fabric. Has a smooth surface. Durable, wear-resistant	Work clothes, raincoats, suits
Raincoat fabric		Water-repellent treated plain weave fabric. Durable, dense	Jackets, raincoats, overalls
Plush		Fuzzy fabric, lightweight and durable	Stuffed Toys. Also used in decoration and upholstery
		Plain weave fabric with cross rib, durable and practical