The Best (and Worst) Fabrics to Wear During Summer

Nylon

As a fully synthetic material, nylon is the opposite of breathable. Because it’s designed to repel water and has a low level of absorption, clothing made from nylon tends to

trap heat and sweat against the skin.

Acrylic

Much like nylon, acrylic is not a natural fabric. While it often shows up in summer dresses and tops, the material can often be hot and abrasive, making it one of the worst summer fabrics.

Polyester

Another summer fabric that’s best avoided is polyester. This common fabric is travel-friendly and wrinkle-resistant, but it also resists moisture, making it less than ideal for hot summer weather.

Vinyl

The slick wet look of vinyl has its place and time, but with a synthetic profile that’s also waterproof and ideal for upholstery, it’s not exactly a great choice for summer clothing. To get your vinyl fix, opt for vinyl shoes and accessories.

Fleece

It may come as little surprise that a material made to keep the body warm is a poor choice among summer fabrics. While certain variations of wool are okay (articles specifically labeled “summer wool” are a good start), fleece is actually derived from polyester, so it comes with the same issues of trapping moisture and reducing natural ventilation.

Next: 4 summer trends I'm just not in the mood for this year

This story was published at an earlier date and has been recently updated

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