Okay, you know I love linen.

I talk about linen a lot. And I stand by it. When you spend most of your time in hot places the way I do, linen becomes your best friend fast.

But not everyone loves it, and honestly? That's completely valid.

Linen wrinkles. It doesn't feel the softest if you have sensitive skin. And if you've ever pulled a linen dress out of your suitcase mid-trip and thought "I look like a crumpled paper bag"... I get it 😅

So today's email is for you. The linen-skeptics.

Because after years of dressing for serious heat, I can tell you: linen is not the only answer. Not even close.

Also, a quick note. So many of you have been asking for more brand options in these emails, not just Quince. You want options across different price points and styles. I heard you loud and clear. I'll be including a brand section for each fabric so you have more to choose from!

The Summer Fabric Guide: What to Look For 👀

The tag inside your clothes matters more than you realize. Especially in the summer. The difference between a great travel outfit and one you want to change out of by noon is usually one word on that little label. Here's what to look for:

1️⃣ Cotton Gauze — Linen's easygoing little sister

The closest thing to linen without actually being linen. Regular cotton is woven like a solid wall, tight, packed, no airflow. Cotton gauze is woven like a window screen. Same material, totally different structure. Air moves through it constantly.

That slightly crinkled, tissue-paper-light texture you see on boho summer dresses? That's gauze. And the crinkle is intentional. It's supposed to look that way, which means you can stuff it in a packing cube, pull it out three days later, and it still looks like you meant to dress that way. This is my top linen alternative.

You'll find this in: gauze dresses, wide-leg pants, button down shirts and shorts. ​

My top brands that sell good gauze-cotton pieces: (I'm linking to their exact pieces made with this fabric)

• ​Quince - here's the link to the dress in the photo above (if shorter than me, [5'4"] it will be too long)
• ​PACT - they make double gauze pieces, which is two layers. Same breathability, a little softer and more structured. They currently have great earth month deals!
• ​GAP - cute matching sets
• ​J.Jill - great collection of less traditional cotton-gauze pieces like embroidered tops and jackets

2️⃣ Hemp — Linen's tougher, low-maintenance cousin

Most people think scratchy, stiff, itchy. That's old hemp. Modern hemp, especially blended with cotton or TENCEL, is genuinely soft and gets softer every time you wash it. Unlike most fabrics that wear out, hemp actually improves.

It comes from the cannabis plant (yes, really) through almost the same process as linen. Both plant stalks, both fully natural, both breathable. Same family, a little more laid-back. It's also naturally resistant to bacteria, which when you're rewearing pieces on a trip is genuinely useful.

The catch: hemp is harder to find. Look for hemp-linen, TENCEL or cotton blends specifically. They give you the best of both worlds.

You'll find this in: linen-style tops, wide-leg pants, and casual dresses, usually labeled "hemp-linen blend."

My top brands that sell good hemp pieces: (I'm linking to their exact pieces made with this fabric)

• ​Marine Layer (my personal favorite)
• ​Tenttree​
• ​Madewell​

3️⃣ Jersey / Cotton-Modal Blends — The reliable everyday player

Jersey is the fabric of your favorite t-shirt. It's a knit, meaning it's looped rather than woven, which is what gives it that natural stretch.

When you see "cotton jersey" or "modal jersey" on a tag, that just means the same knit structure made with that specific fiber. Soft, stretchy, wrinkle-resistant, and incredibly easy to pack.

Think of it like a good pair of sneakers. Not the most exciting choice, but you're always glad you brought them 😅

You'll find this in: dresses, t-shirts, tank tops, and tank dresses. Pretty much any "basic-looking" piece.

My top brands that sell good cotton blend pieces: (I'm linking to their exact pieces made with this fabric)

• ​Talbots ​
• ​Quince​
• ​Land's End​

4️⃣ TENCEL™ / Lyocell — The sustainable option that actually performs

These two names confuse everyone: TENCEL and lyocell are the same thing. TENCEL is just the brand name. Think Kleenex and facial tissue. All Kleenex is facial tissue, but not all facial tissue is Kleenex. So whenever you see lyocell, it also works!

Care tip: skip the fabric softener and wash in delicate cycle. Always check the product tag for best practices.

Worth knowing: bamboo works similarly and is especially great for basics and underwear.

You'll find this in: midi dresses, trousers, button-downs and jumpsuits. A lot of denim/chambray pieces are TENCEL blends to make them nice and stretchy.

My top brands that sell good TENCEL/Lyocell pieces: (I'm linking to their exact pieces made with this fabric)

• ​Quince​
• ​Everlane​
• ​Land's End​
• ​Talbots ​
• ​LL Bean​

5️⃣ Rayon / Viscose — The one you need to know about

Same fabric, two names. Rayon in the US, viscose in Europe. (for the most part)

Rayon is beautiful when it's dry. Soft, flowy, silky almost. That's why it's in everything: flowy midi skirts, wrap dresses, printed vacation tops. If you've ever picked up something at Zara or H&M that looked perfect for a summer trip, there's a good chance it was rayon.

But rayon is like a paper towel. Fine when dry. The second it gets wet, from sweat, humidity, or a long afternoon of walking, it goes limp, gets heavy, clings to your body, and takes forever to dry.

Modal is in the same family but behaves much better. Think linen napkin vs. paper towel. If you see modal on a tag, that's the safer choice.

Mild weather, dry climate, air conditioning? Rayon can work. Hot and humid with full days of sightseeing? It will betray you by noon. Go in with eyes open.

You'll find this in: wrap dresses, flowy midi skirts, printed vacation tops, wide-leg trousers. It's everywhere at Zara, H&M, and Mango, which is exactly why you need to read the tag before you buy.

The short version if you skimmed 😄

Hot-weather breathability ranking:

Cotton gauze → TENCEL → Hemp → Jersey/Cotton-Modal → Rayon (with caution)

The rule that ties it all together: if it came from nature, it's probably good for summer. If it came from a lab, it's probably not.

So, flip the tag before you buy. A dress that's 80% polyester is going to feel like a plastic bag no matter how cute it looks on the hanger.

The fabric really does make or break a summer travel outfit. And now you know exactly what to look for!

Hope this was useful :)

XO,

Aimara

Do you actually love linen and hated this email? 😅 (read these next)

• ​35 linen pants outfit ideas for every occasion ​
• ​Ultimate guide to styling linen for summer​
• ​Wrinkle-free travel clothing guide (not linen)