Lightest possible suits for hot weather - what are they?

[lynchpatrickj]

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]

Linen or fresco, unlined, would certainly be appropriate.

 

[emmanuel]

Cotton or linen.

 

[lynchpatrickj]

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]

Originally Posted by lynchpatrickj

How thin do cotton suits get?

My only complaint is wrinkles but its better than linen!

 

[Bird's One View]

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]

Birthday suit is quite cool.

 

[Bird's One View]

Originally Posted by lee_44106

Birthday suit is quite cool.

In the shade.

 

[smmea]

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]

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

b

 

[GuidoWongolini]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.