Lovely in Linen: The Best Fabric for a Southern Summer

Not to overstate the obvious, but if you live anywhere in the South we’re currently experiencing that horrendous hot and sticky weather synonymous with the Summer Solstice and exponentially exaggerated by climate change. During these 100% humidity and sunshine filled days, you can find most of us basking in front of an A/C unit and the streets are all but abandoned except for the lone tourist stubbornly exploring the vacant streets in the sweltering heat. When we were in Savannah this past weekend, the thermometer swelled into the 100’s and the humidity reached peak annoyance. The only thing getting me through the uncomfortable day was wearing a Southern wardrobe staple: linen. From pants to 3/4 sleeve tops and dresses of all varieties, there is an endless amount of ways to wear this fabric this summer. 

What to Wear in Savannah GA

Linen Dress || Hat || Wicker Bag (sold out) similar here, here, and here || Shoes (custom from Italy) similar here and here || Sunglasses (c/o) Krewe || Nicola Bathie Earrings 

What to Wear in Savannah GA What to Wear in Savannah GA What to Wear in Savannah GA What to Wear in Savannah GA What to Wear in Savannah GA What to Wear in Savannah GA What to Wear in Savannah GA

Linen Dress || Hat || Wicker Bag (sold out) similar here, here, and here || Shoes (custom from Italy) similar here and here || Sunglasses (c/o) Krewe || Nicola Bathie Earrings 

I have a love-hate relationship with linen. If you travel with linen you also need to travel with a steamer because it wrinkles incredibly easy, however, if you are looking for a breathable fabric for your summer wardrobe, this is the best product for the occasion. Linen is made from thick fibers of the flax plant and although it’s weight is heavy to the touch, it’s the best fabric for keeping cool in the humidity. The fabric is woven loosely to allow a lot of airflow and the way the fabric drapes against your body keeps it from sticking close to your skin.

If you a particularly perspiring person, a linen shirt or dress will keep aid in your body’s cooling process due to its moisture wicking properties and heat conduction. Because of this, linen can actually absorb 1/5 of its weight and dries in minutes, making sure that you can stay cool even on a muggy day. The best thing is that linen’s weave also reflects heat helping you keep cool. 

So if you’re wondering what to wear in Savannah GA or anywhere else in the South during these miserably hot months, a linen based fabric is your best bet. This dress I picked up at Dillard’s from Antonio Melani (one of my favorite brands that I wore in this post) was perfect for my afternoon of meetings and running around in Savannah. Although it was almost 100 degrees, I rarely felt the heat in this gorgeous dress.

If you’re looking for some linen pieces to add to your wardrobe, check out the items below. It’s perfect for both men and women and can easily help you get into that vacation frame of mind.

Use the left and right arrow keys to explore the shoppable items below 

What I’m wearing in this post

Women’s Linen Clothing

Men’s Linen Clothing

Photos by Josh Morehouse 

Author: Cynthia

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