When it is about 60 or 70 degrees outside and you are sweating like a pig, the last thing you would want is a garment that traps in heat and makes you uncomfy.
Summers seem good as long as you are tanning at the beach or pool-side sipping on some iced tea or lemonade. As soon as the sticky sweaty days barge in, everybody swears in exhaustion for the scorching heat to end.
Our clothing does play a crucial role in determining our comfort and peace during summers. We should use keep at bay fabrics that trap heat and irritate our skin as we sweat our days off on the sunny days.
Polyester is indeed one of the worst fabrics to wear during summers, and avoiding it at all costs is important to enjoy a cool and comfortable summer. Read on to understand why.
Why is polyester not suitable for summer?
Polyester is probably the most sought out synthetic fabric that costs littles and rewards us with a lot. Even though they are quite a boon at most times, this man made fabric is definitely not meant for hot and sweaty summers. Let us see, why.
1. Polyester is hydrophobic in nature
The fabric would not absorb moisture, ie, if you are sweating profusely the fabric would not absorb that sweat to dry up your body and provide you with some cooling effect, instead it would make your body feel sticky and slimy and would ruin your summer vibes.
2. Polyester is a non-breathable fabric
The fabric is made of closely knit synthetic fibers that it does not allow air to pass through it. The heat produced by the body would have no escape if you are in a polyester garment.
You won’t get to enjoy some the mild breeze that would embrace the sweaty body and would give a desirable cooling effect in the scorching heat.
3. Polyester fabric has static charge
There is a presence of stagnant charge on the surface of the fabric and this adds to the heating effect and friction created by the fabric. This would definitely add to the discomfort.
4. Polyester is temperature sensitive
If you are working out in the sun and if it is indeed a really hot day where the temperature goes above 80, there’s a good chance that the fabric might melt and ruin your garment.
5. Polyester clings to the body when wet
The polyester clothing would cling on to the perspiring body. Nobody would want rough fabric sticking on to their body during a sweaty, sticky summer.
6. Can cause allergies
Due to its roughness, non-breathable nature and ability to retain microbes, polyester can cause skin rashes or allergies in people with sensitive skin.
7. Might stink
As the fabric retains bacteria and sweat, the stink of sweat would remain even after multiple washes.
How can we adapt polyester clothes for summer?
Polyester with performance finishes are specifically made to cater to our summer needs. Performance finishes are chemical treatments that can change the characteristics of the fabric.
Features like non-breathability and static friction which adds to discomfort in summer are rectified by chemically treating polyester to discard them off and create more desirable features that would provide a cool and comfortable summer experience.
Coolmax, Dryfit, moisture-wicking polyester etc are some performance finishes that are sought out by people for summer.
Creative blends of polyester mixed with natural fibers, with special bonds are also good for summers. Therefore if you can find suitable blends or performance finishes polyester would definitely rule the wardrobe even in summer.
Fabrics you should avoid during summer
You can’t stop yourself from sweating when the temperature goes up, but you can make sure that you have a good summer by donning airy and comfy clothing.
Choosing the wrong fabric in a hot, sultry summer would definitely ruin the happy sunny vibes. Steer away from the below mentioned fabrics to make sure that you do have a good and cool summer experience.
1.) Silk or satin – The fabric cannot absorb moisture and therefore would not aid drying up of sweat.
2.) Denim – Denims are non-breathable and non-stretchable and will therefore suffocate the skin of the wearer.
3.) Velvet – Velvet is thick, heavy and would get warmer with time. Therefore it’s a big no during summers.
4.) Lace/ net – Even though they look airy and apt for summer, lace and net can rub against the skin and cause skin abrasions.
5.) Nylon- This synthetic fabric is non-breathable and moisture repellent and can therefore be of no good during sweaty days.
6.) Acrylic- Acrylic is hot and abrasive making it one of the worst choices for summer.
What fabrics are suitable for summer?
Finding the right fabric is essential if you want to enjoy the summery days. The following fabrics are probably the best ones that can definitely ensure a cool and comfy summer. Now it’s time to scan your wardrobe and find the right garments to don on the sunny days. Read on.
1.) Cotton- The good old classy cotton with its lightweight, soothing breathable feature is the best choice for summer.
2.) Linen- The lightweight, wrinkle-free airy fabric is not just for bedding but for the perfect summer wear as well.
3.) Chambray- This linen-finished gingham is the perfect alternative for denims on hot days.
4.) Seersucker- A member of the cotton family, this thin puckered fabric is the perfect choice for airy summer dresses.
How to recognise if the fabric is polyester?
Even though polyester is said to look a lot like silk, it’s characteristic roughness sets it apart.
Polyester is lightweight, has a certain shine to it and when we rub the cloth against our body would have a frictional effect that would not really be well appreciated by our skin.
Crunch the fabric in your hand and see if it wrinkles. If it does not then it is polyester as it does not get crushed easily.
If you can get hold of a bit of the fabric, you can burn it to find out if it is polyester. Polyester gives off dark smoke and burnt plastic smell when set on fire.
Now, keep this in mind to steer clear from polyester fabrics this summer for some chilled out sunny days.
