Lightest possible suits for hot weather - what are they?

lynchpatrickj · Jan 25, 2009

I'm going to be spending some good time in Miami this spring and summer (where it's humid as hell and the average noon temperature is in the 90's). I love the heat, but I don't have the clothes for it. What should I look for, suit-wise, shirt-wise, etc. that's light as a feather, breathable, and most importantly, that looks really good, that I should look into buying?

Cary Grant · Jan 25, 2009

Linen or fresco, unlined, would certainly be appropriate.

emmanuel · Jan 25, 2009

Cotton or linen.

lynchpatrickj · Jan 25, 2009

How thin do cotton suits get? I have a couple of unlined OTR linen suits, but they suck at looking good and are even worse at keeping me cool. Anybody have any favorites?

emmanuel · Jan 25, 2009

Originally Posted by lynchpatrickj

How thin do cotton suits get?

My only complaint is wrinkles but its better than linen!

Bird's One View · Jan 25, 2009

Keep in mind that other factors than the weight influence how warm a suit wears. The less lining, the better. On open weave is better. A lighter color helps when you are in the sun.

About cotton: Seersucker is really good, but otherwise I find pure cotton rather uncomfortable in the heat. Either linen or wool is better. (And either blended with cotton is better than pure cotton.)

lee_44106 · Jan 25, 2009

Birthday suit is quite cool.

Bird's One View · Jan 25, 2009

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Birthday suit is quite cool.

In the shade.

smmea · Jan 25, 2009

the solution is a special fabric - Zegna High Performance that reflects 80% of the sun beams, its a combination of fine wool and cotton, always comes in light colors, like biege white and light blue.

rdawson808 · Jan 25, 2009

Seersucker. That'd be what I would wear. No, wait, it is what I wear in the heat.

b

GuidoWongolini · Jan 25, 2009

Can't get hotter as what I have to experience when in Singapore.. & the humidity is usually >90%.

I just suck it up & think cool.

Oh, I wear light wool suits as line or cotton just don't cut it.

Doc4 · Jan 25, 2009

getting a suit that does not have a lining will help a lot. Linen is about the best for the heat, but a very light tropical-weight wool will do nicely too and look much more business-like!

Manton · Jan 25, 2009

The lightest suit that I have by weight is a 7 ounce cotton. The coolest wearing is an 8 ounce unlined fresco.

I got a 6/7 tropical years ago, but the cloth was junk and it was basically a waste.

lynchpatrickj · Jan 25, 2009

8 ounce unlined fresco seems to be the way to go. Out of curiosity, does fit affect this? i.e. would a slimmer, modern fit suit feel lighter than a more traditional or billowy one?

Manton · Jan 25, 2009

I find that a close fit makes me over heat. I want some room to let air circulate.

Of course, I don't like tight clothes in any circumstance, for any reason, so YMMV.

Lightest possible suits for hot weather - what are they?

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