by Lisa & Martin Pedersen, Ecotopia Naturals –
Nothing can beat a late evening patio, perhaps overlooking the water, a refreshing beverage in hand as you unwind from a hot Vancouver Island day. West Coast Summers are the best. For a few months each year we get to peel off a few layers and dress cool in the hot summer sun.
With our seasons as they are, summer heat can sneak up on us and we go from sweaters to sundresses, or fleece to shorts, in a matter of days, sometimes within the same day. When choosing what to wear in the sun a few factors can make all the difference: fabric, fit and colour.
When choosing any garment, I believe the most important deciding factor is the fabric. I used to not consider fabrics at all, and just picked something that looked nice. Now fabric is the first thing I look for, and for me it must be natural fabrics. I wear natural fabrics all year long as nothing beats them for feel and comfort, but in my opinion, they’re essential in the summer. I’m a sweaty person so my clothes need to breathe.
Chances are you do not perspire as much as I do, but breathability will be just as important. Great natural fabrics for breathability are hemp, and linen, plus some styles of bamboo and organic cotton. Hemp and linen are very strong fabrics, and your clothing will be long lasting. Hemp also has the added benefit of natural UV protection from the sun. You can also feel good about choosing natural fabrics as they are among the most environmentally-friendly fabrics. For many reasons I recommend staying away from synthetic clothing.
After you have chosen the perfect fabric that will keep you cool, now we need to choose the fit. In summer it’s time to go with the flow. You have this great lightweight natural fabric – you do not want it tight to your skin. You want that loose fit in clothes that will let the air flow through to keep you cool. Sun protection can also be important, so lightweight flowing long pants, dresses, skirts or shirts can be good to keep the sun’s rays away.
And don’t forget a natural fibre sun hat!
In the extreme heat most recommend light-coloured clothing to reflect the heat, compared to dark clothing that will absorb the heat. This is very true and in the hottest of days light-coloured clothing is certainly the best option, but this doesn’t mean we should always dress head to toe in white. It’s summer! Maybe go a little wild with some colour. You are hopped up on the sun-fed Vitamin D you have been craving all year, so shine on and have fun with splashes of colour.
I have found nothing better than a Vancouver Island summer. We don’t get the longest summer season, so we don’t hide indoors away from the heat – we get out there and play in our paradise … choosing the right clothing and looking and feeling cool in the sun.
