Essential summer fabrics
Which fabrics to wear in summer for comfort, functionality, and elegance on hot days?
Summer is the season that puts fabrics to the test more than any other. High temperatures, humidity, skin contact, layering, and constant movement outdoors — all of these show just how important it is to choose quality pieces that make you feel great even when the thermometer climbs into the thirties.
When choosing summer pieces, it makes sense to start with the basics: the fabric. Which materials deserve a place not just this season, but also in your capsule wardrobe?
1. Linen
One of the oldest textile materials — and still unrivalled for the summer months.
Naturally breathable, absorbent, and cooling. It handles heat and sweat well, dries quickly, and doesn’t cling to the body.
What to watch out for: Not all linen is the same. Higher-weight linen feels more stable, holds its shape better, and is less see-through. At ESSIMÉ, we use linen woven in the Czech Republic with a weight of 190 g/m² precisely for these properties.
2. Cupro
A vegan material that many people need to try on to truly understand what makes it so special. It has a smooth, almost liquid surface, feels gently cool, drapes beautifully — yet it’s not synthetic. It’s made from fine cotton linter fibres that would otherwise go to waste. It is biodegradable, antistatic, and exceptionally pleasant even in very hot weather.
We use cupro to craft our Isaline maxi dress.
3. TENCEL™ (lyocell)
A next-generation fibre that combines the advantages of viscose, cotton, and silk — but without their downsides. Soft, smooth, breathable, and cooling to the touch. It holds colour and shape beautifully. Thanks to its structure, it’s ideal for tops, trousers, or dresses you can wear all day — and feel comfortable all day. It’s exactly the kind of fabric that proves itself even at 30 °C in the city.
We use TENCEL™ in our Ines tops, Naomi dress, and Rae trousers. While for tops we chose the finest mercerised knit, the trousers are cut from a luxurious woven TENCEL™ twill.
4. Organic cotton
Cotton is a tried-and-true summer classic. Soft to the touch, keeps its shape, and wonderfully breathable.
For our Naomi dress, we selected a firm yet soft papertouch cotton poplin with the highest GOTS certification.
How to choose fabrics in summer?
Try to choose pure natural materials that breathe, are absorbent, hypoallergenic, and quick-drying.
Pay attention to the fabric’s origin — you can tell quality linen or cupro by how it feels from the very first wear.
Don’t just go by how it feels to the touch — in summer, it also matters how the material moves and reacts against the skin.
Summer places high demands on fabrics. You don’t need a lot of seasonal pieces — just the right ones. At ESSIMÉ, we build our collections on premium fabrics that stand up to both a walk on the beach and a company evening event.
