Keep it summery: Five breezy fabrics for Mumbai’s hot and humid months

The humid Mumbai summer can take its toll on your health, from gut to skin. In addition to slathering on sunscreen and altering your diet and skincare routine, you must also pay close attention to your wardrobe. "To avoid skin rashes and reactions from the excessive humidity during summers, it's very important to wear breathable fabrics that are not only lightweight and breezy but also absorb sweat to keep our skin fresh and clean," says Pooja Baheti, founder at Poppi - a homegrown fashion brand.

"Fabrics are not always divided into summer or winter but there is indeed a significant classification when it comes to fabrics wearable in either of the seasons. If we were to talk only about hand-woven fabrics since they lay the foundation of the textile industry, there are a number of hand-woven materials that can be suitably worn in specific seasons. Often, varied fabrics can also be combined to be made into different types of silhouettes apt for varied seasons, the summer included," adds Prachi Saraf, founder at Vyusti - a premium handloom brand.

If the sweltering summer heat has been bothering you, and working from home has made you forget how to dress outdoors, Mid-day Online got these two Mumbaikars who run homegrown clothing brands to help you pick out your summer wardrobe.

Below, Saraf shares three heritage picks native straight from national heirlooms, while Baheti shares two everyday fabrics ideal for the hot and humid summer.

Cotton

We can't imagine summers without breezy cotton. No wonder hand-woven cotton is the most popular handloom textile across India. When asked what makes cotton the preferred choice, Saraf explains, "The supreme porous and absorbing qualities of this forever favourite fabric make it essential for the summer. Bagalkot is a fine cotton saree weave from Karnataka's Bagalkot region, known for their extreme summers."

L to R: Pooja Baheti and Prachi Saraf run diverse clothing brands out of Mumbai. Photo courtesy: Baheti and Saraf

Silk

If we speak of hand-woven fabrics, we must first mention the silks. "Most people believe silk to be a winter fabric because it clings to the body and therefore provides a kind of texture you require for winters, yet it is the very same quality that makes it suitable for the summer. Different silks serve different purposes and the most summer friendly ones that we have are the Tussar silk, Chanderi silk or Maheshwari silk since these are more breathable and lightweight. Karvatkati is the most authentic Tussar silk made and worn in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, which is a temperate zone," shares Saraf.

Himroo

Himroo is a hand-woven fabric made out of both silk and cotton. "Looming together a cotton warp with a silk weft makes this exquisite Himroo weave. A very overlooked yet supreme quality fabric, it is the oldest weave from Aurangabad, the heart of Maharashtra. With its two super fibres beautifully hand-woven, it is rich and comforting at once, equipping us for our very own Indian summer," says Saraf.

Pure Linens

Everyone knows that linen is a great option for the summer, but one has to be careful of whether the fabric one is picking is mixed or pure. "Linens are a lot finer than cotton yet more durable which makes them lighter in weight. Wearing linen feels pleasant during the summer because they're not only lightweight but also versatile and can be styled in many ways. The simplest pair of linen shorts and linen shirts can elevate your summer look," shares Behati.

Natural Rayon

Gaining popularity, natural rayon is a man-made fabric blended with wood pulp. "It is breathable, lightweight, and feels fresh on the skin. It looks great when made into bigger silhouettes like maxi skirts or dresses. It doesn't crumple easily like cotton and also looks much more elegant. Tencel is a popular rayon fabric that can look and feel amazing in the summer," says Behati.

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