by Joshua Newman
Summer is a favorite season for many people. It’s easy to see why, especially for those with a proclivity to the outdoors. Summer provides a boom in nature’s activity and also in our involvement with nature. For us in temperate climates, summer is the only season for hiking to a secret camping spot, or lazing a day away at the beach.
Our linen Ranch Dress at the Silver Lake Dunes
"A common theme of more recent summers all around the world has been record-setting heat..."
The summer heat also comes with its downsides, and downsides are slowly increasing as a result of global warming, threatening the stability of nature’s systems. A common theme of more recent summers all around the world has been record-setting heat, and while we’ve known about global warming for years, the rise in temperature is just the tip of an iceberg of consequences.
Not all of these natural consequences are set into motion, but only our actions in the present can determine the future, and it’s hopeful that there is a steady rise in sustainable life choices. As many of us in the sustainable market know, the sustainable answer isn’t always the most effective answer, and it usually takes a bit of research to find a product that fits your need without chipping away at the environment.
In weather like this, heat waves can cause us to seek practicality and function over long-term impact. Products like Dri-FIT polyester sports shirts and other synthetic sportswear become very attractive because of their ability to dry quickly in sweaty times like these. However, just because a material is dominating the market doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best option.
If you haven’t seen on our social media, Conscious Clothing has released a men’s shirt that is a great example of products that are both functional and sustainable. The new shirt is a long-sleeve with forward point collar and brass snaps. The most exciting part is it’s made of all-natural lightweight linen.
Our Men's Shirt in Sage
"... linen wicks moisture away from your skin and into the air, similar to how Dri-FIT fabrics work, without the plastic..."
Linen is a fabric made from the flax fiber. Flax plants are much easier to grow than typical plant-based fibers like cotton because they are naturally insect resistant and don’t require water-intensive irrigation. The plants can be treated through chemical-free processes to produce a soft, durable fabric.
A detail of our Men's Shirt in Truffle
This warm weather is perfect for linen garments because linen is hygroscopic, absorbing up to 20% of its weight in moisture to release into the air around you. In short, linen wicks moisture away from your skin and into the air, similar to how Dri-FIT fabrics work, without the plastic. Linen doesn’t trap air or moisture, providing cooling airflow through the garment. Linen is also lint-free, doesn’t pill, and releases stains easier than cotton. If you’re worried about durability, linen is three times stronger than cotton, perfect for your roughest outdoor hobbies.
A flax field in late summer
"Flax plants are much easier to grow than typical plant-based fibers like cotton because they are naturally insect resistant and don’t require water-intensive irrigation..."
If you’re excited about linen fabric, check out our full women’s line which includes a number of linen choices to help you feel fresh during the heat and humidity of this summer.
Here are some of our favorite linen picks for the summer_
https://www.consciousclothing.net/shop/the-mens-shirt
https://www.consciousclothing.net/shop/organic-linen-fresco-dress
