Knitwear Vs Woven Wear: What Works Best For Summer Collections?

Fashion during summer demands something cool, comfortable, and stylish. Thus, choosing the right fabric for your summer collection can make or break your brand. If you are new in the industry, don’t worry! Inde artisans is here to guide you with the two most common summer fabric types— knitwear and woven wear. Since both offer different benefits for warm weather clothing, we will explore the key difference between knitwear and woven wear in this blog today. This guide will surely help you choose the best fabric for summer clothing this season!

Key Differences Between Knitwear And Woven Wear

This section will give you a clear idea of how knitwear differs from woven wear and vice versa.

Knitwear For summer

As a leading knitwear manufacturer in India, we always recommend lightweight knitwear when it comes to summer collections. Knitted fabric is made by interlocking loops of yarn, which offers incredible stretch. With knitting techniques, you get the most stretchable fabrics, ideal for body-hugging garments. 

Moreover, knitted fabric has looser loops which allow air to flow adequately, making the garment breathable and lightweight. This makes knit a perfect choice for breathable summer fabrics. Moreover, premium knitwear made from materials like bamboo or cotton blends has moisture-wicking materials. Meaning, knitwear will not only keep you comfortable, but also dry and cool. Use of sustainable materials or organic summer fabrics like bamboo or hemp also makes knitwear one of the most sustainable fashion choices.

Woven Wear For Summer Wardrobe 

Woven wear, made by weaving threads in a crisscross pattern, is also a popular choice in the market. Woven cotton shirts or linen shirts are some popular examples of summerwear. However, due to the crafting technique, woven wear is more structured and less stretchy than knitwear. So, a woven t-shirt may appear more rigid but will retain its shape over time.

While lightweight woven fabrics, like linen, are airy fabrics for summer, most woven wear will appear less breathable than knitwear. Nevertheless, when it comes to woven vs knit durability, woven wear will always win. Unlike knitwear that may stretch out over time, woven wear is known to be more durable and resistant to wear. Thus, woven wear can also be a long-lasting investment and a great choice for sustainable summer wear. Moreover, soft fabrics for hot days can make woven t-shirts and shirts more favorable. 

Choosing The Right Fabric For Summer Clothing

If you are wondering what will suit your collection the best, here are some tips:

Climate & comfort

If you belong to a place with humid weather conditions, make sure your collection is filled with knitwear. Think about breathable, sweat-absorbing t-shirts or shirts. In the case of dry heat, linen and lightweight woven cotton will work well. 

Fit & Style

If your collection is all about body-hugging style or casual summer wear fabrics, knit fabrics like jersey and rib knits will work ideally. Especially for loungewear and cool t-shirt fabric, you must look into different knit styles like cable knit, rib knit, purl knit, and more. For a more structured or tailored look, woven fabrics like linen and chambray will be perfect for skirts and shirts.

Versatility

If you want pieces that will work effortlessly when it comes to layering, go for knitted cardigans and tank tops. For beautiful, standalone pieces, like a summer shirt or a flowy summer dress, woven fabrics should be your go-to choice.

Sustainability

It gets confusing when you are looking for sustainable summer wear. However, to clear the air, knitwear and woven wear both offer sustainable choices. Especially organic cotton knits and hemp woven fabrics are the best eco-friendly fabrics. If you want to build a brand with an eco-friendly image, a recycled polyester blend in knitwear will also enhance your presence in the market.

Which Fabric Keeps You Cooler in Summer?

So, which fabric suits summer best? Let us get a clear answer:

As mentioned earlier, both knitwear and woven wear have properties that work well in the summer weather. However, when it comes to the knit fabric vs woven fabric debate, knitwear might have the upper hand. With our decade-long expertise in knitwear, we can vouch for cotton knit t-shirts and tank tops in bamboo jersey that will provide the softest and most breathable experience during summer. Even lightweight knits for bodycon styles and moisture-wicking knit blends for activewear will move with you and keep you comfortable throughout. 

Here are some knitwear trends to keep up with:

• Striped Knitwear Co-ord Sets: Striped fabric pieces are capturing hearts. Vertical stripes offer an elongating effect with endless color play. You can opt for textured stripe co-ords or a striped vest for a more subtle take on striped knitwear.

• Sleeveless Knit Vests: Other trends include sleeveless knit vests, perfect for layering. These sleeveless silhouettes add a fresh and seasonal twist to your summer collection. Something like a V-neck merino vest in a bold red or green color with a sleeveless pattern can be a winner.

• Pastels: If you are looking for some unique pieces, go for knitwear in pastel shades like mint, fresh lemon, or lavender to add a hint of freshness to your collection. Think of a lofty cardigan made from merino or cashmere in a sky-blue shade.

• Textures: Openwork knit, lace stitching, and crocheted details on knitwear are becoming the new trend. Summer knitwear with crochet textures or openwork knits are both breathable and decorative. Whether you make an open-stitch cardigan or a sundress in a textural cotton bouclé knit, the rich textures add a unique dimension and depth to the overall look. 

• Cut-outs: To enhance breathability while adding visual interest, think about intricate cut-outs. For example, a sundress in a maxi style with back cutouts is a contemporary gem.

While linen, cotton voile, chambray, and woven linen for flowy fits do the job as well, knitted blends tick all the right boxes. However, when it comes to fabrics for fashion startups or summer wear for new brands, woven fabrics can be a good start.

For a detailed summer fabric guide or a guide on ideal material for summer clothing, contact us at sales@indeartisans.com or WhatsApp: 0091-9811886630.

Endnote

Both knitwear and woven wear have their place in summer wardrobes. In fact, woven linen shirts and dresses have become a new favorite for many. Whether we talk about its durability or the visual interest, woven wear will never be a wrong choice. However, if you are looking for the ultimate comfort and natural cooling fabrics in your summer collection, knitwear is the way to go. Knitted fabrics are soft, stretchy, and breathable. Moreover, they are affordable, easy-care, and also elegant.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. We, at Inde Artisans, are here to offer elevated, timeless summer fashion pieces, whether knitted or woven. We manufacture elegant summer knitwear styles and also woven beauties. So if you are looking for sustainable summer wear options with the best fabric for hot weather, get in touch with our team and choose the best for your brand!