Summer fabrics to fall in love with
Wow! It’s been wonderfully warm in Dorset recently, and here at Kite HQ we’ve enjoyed getting down to the beach and splashing around in Poole Harbour.
In hot weather it’s important to choose clothes that allow you and your little one to be comfortable when you’re out and about. Our experienced design team are expert in selecting the most appropriate materials for each style that we develop, and know how to pick the perfect lightweight fabric to keep you and your little one cool all summer long.
In our latest blog we share our top fabric picks for summer clothing, to help you make the right garment choice this season. Read on to learn a little more about our favourite sunshine-friendly fabrics…
Double layer muslin
This woven cotton fabric is believed to have originated in Dacca (now Dhaka), Bangladesh, where the hot, humid climate made it easier to weave the cotton fibres.
Muslin was introduced to Europe in the 1600s and became popular as it was lightweight, versatile, and easily washed.
Drapey, super soft and made from pesticide-free organic cotton, it's one of our favourite fabrics here at Kite.
Chambray
Chambray may look like a light blue denim but it is much softer in texture and lighter in weight.
Made from 100% organic cotton, chambray will keep you cool in heat and humidity and the high thread count means a finer weave which is more breathable.
We have summer styles for everyone in this gorgeous fabric.
Poplin
Poplin is a popular, all-purpose fabric due to its lightweight and smooth feel. It is comfortable to wear, hangs beautifully and washes well. We love it here at Kite!
Did you know? During World War II, poplin was used for British and US military personnel uniforms. The fabric could withstand tough conditions and kept wearers cool all day long.
Seersucker
This fine woven cotton fabric is commonly striped and has a unique texture. Using ancient fabric weaving methods, yarns are set up on the loom at different tensions to create a smooth and crinkled effect.
The word seersucker originates from Sanskrit and Persian words meaning 'milk and sugar' due the resemblance of its stripes to the smooth texture of milk and the bumpy texture of sugar.
Seersucker fabric is perfect for all sorts of lightweight, warm weather garments, as its puckered nature helps to hold the fabric mostly away from the skin when it is being worn.
Slub
A slub is a thicker section in a piece of yarn. Originally, slubs were seen as imperfections and the piece of yarn was thrown away but it was soon realised that when woven together, the result is a beautiful, unique, textured fabric.
Our slub fabric is characteristically soft and creates a natural look that we love. It is also lightweight making it perfect for those warmer summer days spent out and about exploring.
We are proud to say that all the cotton fabrics we use are certified by Control Union to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), the leading organic textile processing standard worldwide.
GOTS certified fabrics must meet demanding environmental requirements and are produced in compliance with strict social criteria, so you can be sure that all of our fabrics are good for the farmer, good for the planet, and good for you!
We hope this blog has helped you understand more about the fabrics that we select when designing clothes for you and your little one.
If you have any questions or would like to know more, please get in touch with us on social @kiteclothing or by email at info@kite-clothing.co.uk.
