Great Fabrics For Women’s Blouses in Summer

Have you been looking for lightweight summertime fabrics for blouses? Then look no further! Summer blouse fabrics are those with high airflow, comfort, and durability, and in this guide, I will tell you everything you need to know about fabrics for women’s blouses and in which scenarios they will perform best.

Here’s a quick overview of the blog:

• What makes up good fabric for blouses?
• Popular fabric types
• Why do sometimes only certain fabric materials work?

Must-have Properties of Summer Blouse Fabrics

Summer is associated with a high level of sweat, odors, and UV radiation that can damage clothes, and in retrospect, blouses are meant for casual outings and those formal meetings where you have to look as polished and professional as possible. 

Now, think, what would happen if blouses were made with fabrics that are prone to summer attributes? It will defeat the entire purpose of making blouses! This is why blouses that are meant to be worn in hotter climates should have fabric with the following properties:

• Moisture Management:

Sweat is something nobody wants on their outfits. It is not just characterized by a sticky feeling on your body but also confers bad odor and stains. Now, we can’t just magically stop sweating, so the next best thing is to manage it somehow. 

• Optimum summer fabric should have the ability to draw away sweat from the body either through absorbency or moisture-wicking. Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen often absorb water molecules. Although this strategy is not as efficient as modern remedies, it still prevents that clammy sensation we all dislike. 
• Moisture-wicking, on the other hand, means to absorb sweat and then spread it out over a wider area for quick drying. This technique is mostly used in activewear clothes, but given such usability, different kinds of blouses opt for it as well.

• Air-Flow:

Blouse clothing material should be breathable. Having porosity for air flow means there are fewer chances for insulation, and higher breathability means higher comfort for summer fabrics.

• Weight & Density:

GSM, otherwise known as grams per square meter, is how you calculate the density of the fabric. Higher GSM means dense and tightly woven fabric, the exact type you should stay away from. Instead, look for lower density and weight fabric that can provide a lighter and airy feel to the body.

• Drape:

Beyond technicalities, the fabric for a blouse should flow on the body; otherwise, you can’t even create a blouse. Remember when was the last time you saw a blouse that held its structure?

Other than drapes, summer blouses should only be made with fabrics that have a soft and smooth feel to them.

Types of Popular Fabrics for Summer Blouses

• Cotton: Cornerstone of Apparel

Cotton, without question, is one of the best choices for summertime clothes; not only is it affordable, but also quite sturdy. Due to its naturally loose structure, it provides a very airy experience.

Cotton is actually very versatile if weaved differently. Here are some key weaves for summer blouses:

• Poplin is a plain weave type.
• Voile is another plain weave type, but due to initial sheering and twisting, it is best suited for modern bridal blouse designs.
• Lawn weave is a bit denser and provides a smoother texture, often used to make high-end party blouses.
• Chambray is woven to appear like denim but is much lighter and breathable.

• Linen: The Epitome of Cool Elegance

Linen is obtained by the flax plant and is one of the premium fabrics out there to make summer clothing. Linen, when compared to cotton, is stronger and requires less water to grow. It is also a sustainable fabric to make different kinds of blouses.

Here’s why linen is often preferred over cotton:

• Thermal Properties: Linen is renowned for its thermal conductivity, meaning it rapidly takes heat away from the body and dries even quicker. These qualities make it incredibly cool.
• Durability: Linen is remarkably strong and also has wrinkle resistance, which means you don’t have to worry about your linen blouses ever looking un-kept.
• Care Routine: Linen also has an easy cleaning routine. Owing to its natural fibers, it can be cleaned either with cold or lukewarm water without the need for fabric softeners and bleach.
• Microstructure of Linen: Linen fibers are hollow-shaped, which means even when it’s tightly woven, there is still some room for air to pass through.

• Rayon: Regenerated & Less Impactful

Another sustainable and soft fabric for summer blouses, rayon is made from wood pulp and performs really well for flowy drape clothes like blouses. One thing you may not know about rayon is that it was made as a sustainable alternative to silk. Rayon is prone to stretching and shrinking if not handled well, but just like silk, it also has good airflow and absorbency.

Some types of rayon:

• The viscose is soft and comes with a good drape. It is a good option for affordable, eco-friendly clothing.
• Modal is known for its exceptional softness and high-wet strength, which is highly different from commonly available viscose fabrics.
• Lyocell is highly moisture-wicking and durable, often considered for activewear manufacturing.

• Silk: Luxury Option For Luxury Blouses

Silk has remained a controversial topic for many years due to its unethical sourcing, but no one can deny its luxury and premium due to its lustrous nature that captures gazes easily. Silk blouses are top-of-the-line variants, and people pay hefty amounts for them as well. 

Silk is a resilient fabric but requires a very specific cleaning routine, which is why most people often ruin their silk blouses right away.

> Why are silk-made blouses great?

Silk-made blouses and clothing are great due to their unique thermal properties; they can keep you warm in winter and cool in summertime. You may think it can’t be true, but let’s say it’s the magical nature of silk.

• Hemp: Sustainable Fabric

Hemp is the complete Eco-friendly fabric solution to make summer lightweight blouses and clothes. Initially, hemp can feel a little rough, but with each wash and wear, it becomes as pliable as cotton. 

Furthermore, it’s also highly breathable and has good absorbency rates, which makes it a viable option for summer blouses. But when it comes to durability, hemp fabric is on the top, perhaps with polyester-like strength.

Fun fact: Hemp fabric, unlike other fabrics, is not prone to UV damage, and it is also resistant to mold and mildew.

Related-Read: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On Lightweight Resort Fabrics

Conclusion: Different Blouses Need Different Materials

Blouse fashion is increasing day by day and owing to this rapid shift, there are now multiple types of blouses in the market. Each aims to serve a different purpose altogether; there are summer blouses made for casual parties, relaxed evenings, and virtually any situation where a bit of sheen is required.

However, you can not just take a few fabrics and think your blouse line-up is finished. Different materials, depending on their properties, are best suited for  not just different blouse designs but also various custom clothing manufacturing.

• For a quick understanding, take a look below at the table!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some of the best fabrics for summer blouses?

There are many blouse fabrics, and deciding which one is the best can get tricky, but go for silk if you want to make premium blouses and cotton for everyday affordable blouses. Remember your needs and decide which fabric is best for you.

What is the best cotton type for blouses?

Lawn weaved and Voile are some of the best cotton types to make high-end blouses that can be worn for parties and wedding events.

Which blouse style should I get for summer?

Loose-fitting blouses are often well suited for summer; however, if you spend most of your time under air conditioning, then you can experiment around with more fitted options like wrap and pleated blouses.