The Return of Soft Suiting for Summer: Stylish and Breathable Warm Weather Style

The Return of Soft Suiting for Summer

After several years dominated by neutral tones and minimalist silhouettes, soft suiting is making a major comeback for the summer season. From powdery pastels to sensuous satins, designers are reinventing the suit to be an effortlessly chic warm weather essential. While structured looks still have their place, fluid fabrics and relaxed shapes are lending a modern ease to tailored dressing.

Why Soft Suiting is Perfect for Summer

Soft or unstructured suiting offers comfort and breathability that is ideal for the warmer months. Lighter fabrics such as linen, silk, and lightweight wool naturally allow more airflow while retaining a polished appearance. Silhouettes tend to be less fitted and include details such as wide legs, dropped shoulders, and open jackets for less restriction. The overall effect is both stylish and easygoing.

Soft suiting also pairs beautifully with many staples of summer dressing. Slip dresses, camisoles, and sleeveless tops can be worn under open suits for more skin exposure. Chunky sandals, woven bags, and retro sunglasses complement the laidback vibe. Mixing suit pieces with denim, swimwear coverups, or shorts creates fashion forward contrast.

Choosing the Right Fabrics for Soft Summer Suiting

When selecting soft suiting fabrics focus on natural fibers that breathe and drape well. Lightweight wools like tropical wool or wool blends are classics. Linen suits have a rumpled, casual feel perfect for vacation dressing. Silk, especially matte finished silk, flows gracefully and photographs beautifully.

For a modern touch, seek out innovative natural fiber blends with spandex or stretch for enhanced comfort and flexibility. High performance technical fabrics also now offer moisture wicking, cooling, and UV protection properties combined with a soft handfeel.

Pastel shades and neutrals like ecru, blush, and dove gray complement sunkissed summer skin. Bold prints and patterns add visual interest while retaining a lightweight look. Avoid heavily constructed fabrics like brocades or thick double knits that tend to overwhelm the soft suiting aesthetic.

Key Silhouettes for Soft Summer Suits

This season's soft suiting silhouettes are defined by fluidity and ease of movement. Wide leg pants create a vintage flair while allowing more ventilation. Full A-line skirts provide breezy sophistication. Boxy, cropped jacket shapes show off shirts and camisoles layered underneath.

Shorts suits expose more leg for a flirty take on suiting. Tank and camisole bodysuits replace traditional button down shirts. Robes and kimono style jackets offer lightweight layering options. Don't be afraid to break up soft suit sets and pair individual pieces with other items already in your wardrobe.

Style Tips for Wearing Soft Suits This Summer

To get the most wear out of your soft summer suiting, consider these easy styling tricks:

• Choose slip on mules, chunky slides, or textured sandals rather than fussy heels to retain a relaxed vibe.
• Add a wide brim sunhat for soft shading when temps climb high.
• Drape jackets across shoulders and tie waist belts loosely for a nonchalant feel.
• Stack and mix colors and fabrics within a suit set to create dimension.
• Cuff pants hems to expose a bit of ankle and wear with cute no show socks.

A soft suit set offers almost unlimited styling potential for summer. Dress up pieces with platforms and bold jewelry for nights out. Or go ultra casual with a bikini top and bare feet for beachfront sipping. Wherever your warm weather wanderings may lead, soft suiting ensures you'll step out in laidback elegance.

Key Soft Suiting Trends to Try

Soft suiting runways were filled with inspiration for every summer occasion. Here are some of the most covetable trends to look for:

Breezy Linen

From vivid colors to menswear stripes, linen suits impart a carefree vibe perfect for vacationing and outdoor events. Look for wide legs, sleeveless shapes and coordinating separates.

Satin Slip Dresses

Slip into luxury with satin sleeveless dresses featuring thin spaghetti straps and bias cut silhouettes. Metallic sheens and bold prints amp up the after dark glamour.

Matching Shorts

Suiting shorts reaching mid thigh lend playfulness to coordinating jackets and tops. Go for crisp, tailored bermuda silhouettes or flowing palazzo shapes.

Pastel Monochromes

Tonal shades of pink, lemon, lavender and mint provide soft prettiness. Details like front slits, wrap ties, and notch collars keep the vibe fresh.

Crisp Seersucker

Graphic black and white seersucker channels vintage Americana for a nattily nostalgic perspective. Just add red lipstick and cat eye sunnies.

Contemporary Labels Leading the Soft Suiting Revival

While traditional powerhouses continue to produce soft suiting, several contemporary labels are reinventing tailored dressing for the modern woman. These brands deftly balance comfort, style and versatility.

Les Blank

This direct-to-consumer brand focuses on premium suiting crafted from sustainable Tencel and European wool fabrics. Clean lines, thoughtful details and wearable neutrals define the aesthetic.

Lacausa

Designed in Barcelona, Lacausa utilizes eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester and vegetable tanned leather. Collections feature laidback, minimalist styles.

Matteau

Breezy linen and silk dominate at this Australian label where every piece is ethically manufactured. Eclectic vintage inspired prints and rich hues convey feminine charm.

Maggie Marilyn

Leading the way in sustainable luxury, this New Zealand brand crafts soft suiting and dresses defined by softly sculpted cuts and whimsical prints.

The Future of Soft Suiting

While soft suiting is having a moment right now, the versatility and comfort of this look are likely to make it a lasting trend. As more labels incorporate performance fabrics and relaxed detailing, the boundaries of traditional suiting will continue to evolve. Expect to see creative mixes of businesswear staples and casual pieces for dressed up yet effortless dressing. Most of all, the return of soft suiting provides modern women more options to comfortably express their personal style on any summer day.

FAQs

Why is soft suitingideal for summer?

Soft suiting is perfect for keeping cool in summer heat thanks to breathable lightweight fabrics like linen, silk, and wool blends. The relaxed silhouettes also allow more airflow and movement.

What are the best fabrics for soft summer suits?

Look for natural fabrics like linen, silk, lightweight wool, and cotton blends. Pastels or neutral solids work well, along with playful prints. Avoid heavy brocades and double knits.

What are some key silhouettes for soft suits?

Fluid wide leg pants, full skirts, boxy jackets, shorts sets, and slip dresses define soft suiting's laidback elegance this summer.

How can I style soft suits for summer?

Pair with mules, sandals and sunhats. Drape jackets and loosely tie belts. Stack and mix colors within a set. Cuff hems to show ankles. The options are endless!

Which brands offer contemporary soft suiting?

Les Blank, Lacausa, Matteau, and Maggie Marilyn lead in soft suiting with sustainable fabrics, detailed construction, and modern silhouettes.