Elsa Angel Rose
Temperatures easily range between 35 and 45 degrees Celsius almost everywhere, making it difficult to step out even for a while or travel long distances in such blistering heat. Clothing, however, can ease your experience to a great extent, something people often underestimate. The colours, patterns, and silhouettes of your outfits can drastically shift the way you experience summer. The darker your shade is, the more fervent your experience of heat. Always opt for lighter shades. One major snag to be cleared here is the sweat control visibility, and that’s where your patterned and textured outfits shine. “Lighter shades reflect sunlight and usually feel cooler outdoors, especially in direct sun. Colours like white, beige, pale blue, and sage generally stay more comfortable in temperatures around 35–40°C. However, darker shades such as navy or black tend to hide sweat marks better. The best compromise is usually muted mid-tones like olive, dusty blue, taupe, washed navy, or mushroom shades. These absorb less heat than black while still concealing sweat better than very light colours,” said Clynne Morgan Jorge, a fashion designer and expert from Panjim. A breathable fabric in a light, airy colour is the closest thing a person can experience to air conditioning. “Think sorbet shelf, Ice blue, mint green, pale blush. Light colours reflect heat instead of absorbing it, so you’re literally cooler in them,” said another apparel designer, Jaya Mitra from Porvorim. Jaya, who specialises in ethic and Indo-Western fashion, added, “Keep the colours balanced with a simple 70/30 approach, use whites, creams, or pale blues as your base, then add one accent piece. A saffron scarf, teal bag, or orange sandals can bring just the right amount of energy to the look without overpowering it or making it feel washed out.”
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CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRICS FOR A COOLER SUMMER Lightweight, airy and breathable with sweat invisibility are certainly the top priorities. Linen and cotton are staple fabrics. But the new trending ones to give a try are Tencel, also known as Lyocell, and seersucker. “One of the best modern summer fabrics is Tencel. It is soft, breathable, lightweight, and handles moisture very well while still looking polished. Seersucker is another underrated option. Its puckered texture prevents fabric from sticking to sweaty skin. Bamboo blends are also becoming popular for their softness and moisture control, though quality varies between brands. Hemp blends are increasingly available, too and work very well in hot climates because they are breathable and durable,” shared designer Clynne. Linen and cotton are still in demand due to their durability, comfort, eco-friendly nature and more. Designer Jaya Mitra shared, “The fabrics that do the best are Cotton and linen. They breathe, they flow, they get better looking as the day softens them.” “Linen remains one of the best because it is airy, dries quickly, and stays comfortable even in humid heat. Lightweight cottons like poplin, gauze cotton, and mulmul are also excellent because they breathe better than thick cotton tees,” said Clynne. As mentioned before, textured fabrics are a huge relief for summer clothing. It will not cling to your body, and the fabric can mask sweat in the best way possible. “Textured fabrics usually perform better in heat because they sit slightly away from the skin and improve airflow. Fabrics with loose weaves tend to feel cooler than tightly woven fabrics, even if both are technically cotton. Texture often matters more than colour when it comes to hiding sweat. Flat fabrics show moisture patches more clearly, while textured fabrics break up reflections and make sweat less noticeable. For instance, Seersucker, chambray, linen slub, heathered fabrics, micro stripes, and small checks all help disguise sweat better than plain solid fabrics,” Clynne shared.
FRESH FITS FOR SUMMER: STAPLES AND PAIRINGS TAKING OVER THIS SEASON Dresses remain a summer staple this season, but with fresh new twists that make them feel summer-ready. “Flowy maxi dresses continue to stand out for their breezy elegance, while sheer layered styles add a contemporary, fashion-forward touch. Fringe details are also making a comeback, bringing a playful flair to everyday looks, and animal print dresses are emerging as bold statement pieces that instantly add personality and confidence to a summer wardrobe,” said Ritu Puri, an apparel expert from Porvorim. The summer season is all about pairings that balance comfort and looking fresh and put-together. “Dresses styled with sneakers continue to be a favourite for an easy yet trendy everyday look, while kurtas paired with shorts create a breezy outfit perfect for warm weather. Oversized tees with baggy denim bring a relaxed, laid-back vibe that feels effortlessly cool, and lightweight fabrics like linen and cotton remain essential choices for staying comfortable during hot summer days,” said Ritu. Other famous ensembles for summer in Goa include strap or tunic dresses, printed blue and white dresses for a sporty beach day, monochrome dresses and multi coloured print dresses. For men, relaxed fit shorts, shirts, light-weight cord sets, and oversized shirts are fam
