There is something about June that changes everything. The light, the pace, the clothes. Suddenly, you want lightweight garments, colors that make a statement on their own, and looks that work just as well at the office as they do at a beach bar—all without much effort. Here is what I would wear this season.
I was born with atopic skin. And what seemed like a hassle when I was little turned out to be one of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me: learning from a very early age that not all clothing is created equal, and that what you put against your skin matters far more than we are led to believe.
From the time I was very young, there was an unspoken rule at home: linen, cotton, natural fabrics. Nothing derived from plastic. No polyester, no polyamide. It wasn't about trends or environmental awareness (that came later); it was a matter of survival. Synthetic fabrics irritated my skin, prevented it from breathing, and—as we know today—left behind microplastics that the body cannot easily eliminate. My skin rejected them long before science explained why.
That led me to develop a habit I now consider essential: reading labels before I buy. Always.
WHY THE LABEL COMES FIRST
Before looking at the price, before looking at the color, before even trying it on: the label. Fabric composition. If I see more than 20% polyester or polyamide, I put it back. Not because it’s a rigid rule, but because I know what those fabrics do to my skin and my daily life.
Synthetic fabrics don’t breathe. In summer, that’s especially brutal: heat gets trapped, the skin can’t breathe, and the microplastics shed during wear and washing end up on your skin and in the water. It’s not alarmism; it’s just the reality.
Natural fabrics, on the other hand, regulate temperature, wash better over time, and have a drape and texture that synthetics can never quite imitate. Linen is unbeatable in summer. Organic cotton is, too. Quality viscose is a good middle-ground option.
BUY LESS, BUT BETTER
What I learned about my skin, I ended up applying to the way I consume fashion overall. If a garment doesn’t pass the label test, it doesn’t make it into my wardrobe. And that—almost without meaning to—led me to buy far less.
Because when you start filtering by fabric quality, the market shrinks. And that’s a good thing. It forces you to choose more discerningly, to research brands that handle materials well, and to place more value on every piece that enters your closet.
My method is simple:
Question number 1: What is it made of?
Question number 2: Will I wear it more than ten times?
Question number 3: Does it go with at least three things I already own?
If it doesn’t pass all three, it doesn’t get in.
WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU ABOUT SYNTHETIC FABRICS
Polyester and polyamide are plastic. Plastic that sits right against your skin all day long. With every wash, they shed microplastics into the water, and through wear, those particles also end up on your skin. For someone with atopic skin like me, that’s an immediate problem. But really, it’s an issue for everyone—even if their skin doesn't scream about it quite as loudly.
I’m not saying you should throw out all your synthetics overnight. I’m saying it’s worth becoming more conscious of what we buy and why.
And before I sign off, here's my little guide to natural fabrics so you always have it handy:
Linen is the king of summer: it regulates temperature, absorbs moisture, and gets better with every wash. Organic cotton is the most versatile, soft, and breathable—perfect for everyday wear. Quality viscose (be careful, not all viscose is the same) has a beautiful drape and is incredibly lightweight. And hemp, the often-overlooked fabric, is durable, antibacterial, and increasingly popular with conscious brands.
The next time you go into a store, before looking at the price or the color, check the label. I promise it will change the way you shop forever.
—Patri
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