Why This Fabric is Your Best Friend in Hot Weather
When students study our BSc in Fashion and Apparel Design course, we teach them about various fabrics, the fibres, weave, breathability and more. As an aspiring fashion designer, it’s important for you to understand why certain fabrics are preferred in certain weather conditions. Just like wool and flannel are preferred in winter months, cotton and linen are preferred in summer months. Indian summers are harsh, especially April and May. During these months, linen is literally your best-friend. Wearing the wrong material can cause excessive sweating and skin allergies.
Reasons Why Linen is a Summer-friendly Fabric
Highly breathable
Linen is known for its superior breathability. Since it is made from natural fibres of the flax plant, it allows excellent airflow. It’s a great choice for hot, sultry summers. Also, it’s a great fabric option for both men as well as women. Linen shirts especially regulate body temperature and keep you comfortable throughout the day. A lot of fashion designers are foraying into only making linen shirts. Owing to its enhanced breathability, it’s a popular option. While it is worn to beat the city’s heat, it’s also worn during vacations and long flights. Most designers who roll out their holiday wear collection, ensure they use linen.
Moisture absorption
It’s impossible to not sweat in summer. Linen is great when it comes to absorbing moisture. It wicks sweat from your body and dries quickly. Whether you’re playing a sport, walking in the sun or chilling by the beach, linen is a great option for apparel. A collection of linen shirts is very important for those who have an active life and spend most of their time outdoors.
Antibacterial & Hypoallergenic
Wearing polyester and other synthetic materials in summer can cause allergies and irritate the skin at the same time. Since linen is made from the flax plant, it is considered a natural fabric. If you’re someone with sensitive skin, linen is hypoallergenic. It doesn’t cause rashes and prevents any kind of discomfort when you’re out in the sun. It is also resistant to dust mites and bacteria.
Stylish
When we choose a particular fabric, we don’t only choose it because of its properties. We also want the final garment to look good. Linen is one of those fabrics. It’s super-stylish and super-versatile. The fashion has a relaxed yet refined vibe. Whether you make a crisp linen shirt, a dress or a pant, linen is a great choice for any occasion. Also, linen is not just restricted to casual looks. These days, men are heavily investing in linen suits while women are enjoying linen co-ord sets.
Durability
Linen is one of the most widely used natural fibres in the world of textiles. It is ranked second to silk and is even stronger than cotton. It gets its strength from flax seed fibres. Owing to this, linen can stand the test of time. Cotton garments usually last for five years. However, linen can go beyond a decade. With proper care and gentle washing, linen could even last up to 20 years. Yes, you read that right. For this reason, those who buy linen clothes consider it a noteworthy investment.
Natural texture
Linen has a unique, organic texture. Fashion designers recommend that everybody must have at least one linen shirt in their wardrobe. The only drawback is that the fabric has a slightly wrinkled appearance. A lot of people like it well-ironed while some wear it as it is for its easy-going charm.
Conclusion
Although linen is ideal for summer months, there is also another variety of linen called brushed linen. It usually features in autumn winter collections. It’s similar to brushed cotton. However, it has incredible heat-regulating properties.
As a fashion design student, it’s important to know how to work with linen. It’s natural, breathable and super-stylish. Since it is lightweight and durable, it is a fabulous fabric choice for warm climates.
If you’re passionate about different fabrics, the way they work, and the thread count, you should consider pursuing a fashion designing course. The programme is ideal for those who are creatively inclined and are proficient in garment making. Some of the subjects the course emphasises upon are fashion marketing, merchandising, fashion sustainability, apparel quality management, export documentation and shop floor management.
