Summer Sport Coats: Choose Light, Breathable Fabrics

When the sun is shining, and the temperature is rising, the last thing you want is to be stuck in a stuffy suit. But fear not, a summer sport coat could be the answer to your sartorial prayers.

The key to staying cool is all about choosing the right fabric. You want something lightweight, breathable, and airy. So, when it comes to summer sport coats, the best materials are cotton, linen, seersucker, and wool blends.

Cotton is a popular choice for summer clothing, but it needs to be a lightweight variety to ensure breathability. Linen is also a great option as it's reasonably light and cool, although it is prone to wrinkling. If you want to avoid that creased look, then seersucker is a good choice as the puckered fabric helps create air channels to keep you cool. Wool is often associated with winter clothing, but it can work for summer sport coats too if it's a lightweight variety such as fresco, tropical wool, or hopsack.

So, there you have it! Now you know the best materials to look for when choosing a summer sport coat, you can stay cool and stylish all season long.

Wool, linen and cotton are good fabric choices

While wool is not often associated with breezy summer attire, it is a great choice. It can be made lighter and with a more open weave than many plant-based textiles. Weaves like fresco, tropical wool, and hopsack are all known for being relatively airy. However, some wool fabrics can look too formal to be worn as a lone sport coat, so finding something with texture is necessary.

Linen is a quintessential summer fabric. It is reasonably light and cool-wearing, although very prone to wrinkling. The textured finish and casual appearance make it a classic summer choice. It makes for a great shirt and, if you want to wear it as a sport coat, it will need to be on the beefy side, probably at least 12 ounces.

Cotton is another popular choice as it is already a go-to for many wardrobe essentials. While it does lend itself to casual tailoring, it requires a certain level of heft and sturdiness to hold up to the rigors of heavy wear. This added weight negates any breathability it might otherwise have.

A blend of fibres is also a good option. Most summer blazers are a wool/silk/linen mix – the wool allows for a light, open weave and resistance to wrinkles, and the linen provides that summery texture as well as moisture-wicking abilities. Silk – while very hot-wearing on its own – increases strength while adding very little weight, allowing the fabric to remain light and airy.

Linen is a light and cool fabric

When the temperature rises, it's time to swap out your heavy suit jacket for a lighter alternative. Linen is a quintessential summer fabric for sport coats. It is reasonably light and cool-wearing, allowing you to stay comfortable in the warmer months.

Linen is harvested from the stalk flax plant, which grows in cooler climates than cotton and is robust against insects and drought. Linen fabric is naturally breathable, allowing air to flow between the fibres. This keeps you cooler in hot weather. The structure of the fabric means it billows softly away from your body, preventing clinging. Linen is perfect if you suffer from overheating or need to stay cool at work or during outdoor activities.

Linen is highly absorbent and will quickly remove sweat from the skin. It absorbs as much as 1/5 of its weight in perspiration before it feels damp or wet. Water evaporates off linen quickly, so your linen clothing acts like an efficient cooling system. Linen also has an innate ability to conduct and reflect heat, further contributing to its cooling properties.

While linen is prone to wrinkling, this can be easily remedied with a quick steam. The textured finish and casual appearance of linen make it a classic summer choice. It is an excellent option for those who want to dress up without looking too corporate or stuffy.

Cotton requires heft and sturdiness

Cotton is a popular choice for a summer sport coat, as it is a go-to fabric for many wardrobe essentials. However, it requires a certain heft and sturdiness to withstand heavy wear. This added weight negates any breathability the fabric might otherwise have. Cotton is typically woven in a denser weave, and it can wear warmer than tropical wool. It also lacks the crimp found in animal hair, so it feels stiff.

Cotton jackets should be roomy enough to allow for comfortable movement. When trying on a cotton sport coat, it is recommended to button the coat and move your arms forward as if you are hugging someone. If the jacket fits well, you should be able to move your arms comfortably without feeling that the centre back seam is about to rip.

Cotton ages differently than wool; it fades in a patchy way. When shopping for a cotton sport coat, consider lighter colours such as tan or stone, which will hide their age better over time than darker colours. You will also want to leave a little room when hemming, as cotton holds wrinkles and sleeves and legs will accordion with wear. If you get the hemming done just right at the beginning, they will be too short after a few months.

Wool/silk/linen blends are recommended

Silk is a strong fibre that can be woven into an open, breathable fabric that remains lightweight and durable. Linen, on the other hand, is reasonably light and cool-wearing, although very prone to wrinkling. It has a textured finish and a casual appearance, making it a classic summer choice.

Combining wool, silk, and linen in a blend provides the benefits of each material. A wool/silk/linen blend will be light and open-weave, resistant to wrinkles, and moisture-wicking. The hopsack weave is a good choice for this blend, giving the garment a less formal look while improving airflow.

Seersucker is a good choice for hot weather

When the temperature rises, a seersucker jacket is a great choice to keep you cool. Seersucker is a lightweight, breathable fabric that is ideal for hot weather. The puckered texture of the fabric creates air channels that promote air circulation and help to regulate your body temperature. This means that, even with a jacket on, you'll stay cool.

Seersucker is usually made from cotton, woven on twin-beam looms at varying speeds to create its trademark appearance and texture. The alternating smooth and coarse stripes create pockets of space, allowing for increased ventilation. This also means that seersucker is crease-resistant, as it naturally springs back into shape. This makes it a practical choice for summer, as it will stay looking smart even in hot conditions.

Seersucker suits were introduced in 1909 by Joseph Haspel, Sr. and became popular in the American South, as worn by Miles Davis and Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch in *To Kill a Mockingbird*. Seersucker is a durable fabric that was used during the American Civil War and later for workwear. Its durability and breathability make it a great choice for summer, and its association with the South gives it a stylish, laid-back feel.

When choosing a seersucker jacket, go for a slim fit to counteract the extra bulk created by the puckered fabric. Avoid a full seersucker outfit, and instead pair your jacket with contemporary pieces such as a crisp white t-shirt and white trainers. This will give your look a modern edge and help you to avoid the preppy associations seersucker has had in the past.

Seersucker is a versatile fabric that can be dressed up or down, making it a great choice for a summer jacket. Its breathability and durability mean it will keep you cool and looking smart, even in hot and humid conditions.

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