Tuesday, March 24, 2009

SUMMER ALERT!!!!!!

So, now that spring is here and it hasn't even been close to the average high this month, I am truly looking forward to the summer HOT weather that's to come! And when it does, I don't want ya'll complaining about how hot it is and instead, take Mz. Lady Yvette's lead and grab some of the most comfy, drapy, "paper-tissue-thin", tees, tanks and jersey-knit tops to keep you extra cool this summer.

The ever-so-soft fabrics like Micro-Modal, TENCEL blends, and organic Supima blends are high-in-use by contemporary women's' brands this season for t-shirts, tanks, and tops. These fabrics whether man-made or natural have similar properties but range different in price, softness, and practicality. My fascination with the feel and look lead me to share with you more on these popular textiles. Three personal picks of trendy t-shirt brands are ranked from soft, very soft to most soft.


SOFT
:

These relaxed-fit, hip, and tribal-inspired graphic tees are simple with that lazy but funky urban spin. I personally love the cool feel and shape of the micro-modal fabric used to create these t-shirts. Micro-modal is made only from beechwood but is chemically processed thus being considered an "artificial silk". On the skin it feels cool to the touch, has a high resistance to shrinkage and has a slight sheen to the fabric. You can find Torn by ronny kobe online at shopbop.com


VERY SOFT:


The most intriguing blend of fabrics used is the 50% TENCEL and 50% BAMBOO. David and Laure Pariente of french label, Zoe tee's describes their innovative brand as the "couture for the t-shirt". Tencel is the brand name used for lyocell and this breakthrough fiber made from wood pulp cellulose, unlike modal, is processed chemically free thus making this fabric eco-friendly. Now the reason why Tencel is such a breakthrough fabric is because this high-performance textile allows for new functional properties that are most unique. It is said to be soft as silk, strong as polyester, cool as linen, warm as wool, and as absorbent as cotton. Now after all that being said who wouldn't want a t-shirt made like that! I have to also mention that this special fabric is so dynamic that it also serves as a natural cooling system for the skin. It absorbs excess liquids and releases it quickly back into the atmosphere. Functionally, superb for those sweaty hot days!!!! The blend of the lyocell and bamboo of these particular tees create a demi-sheer affect and is very soft with a nice stretch in the fabric. Online you can find Zoe tee's at www.shopstyle.com - not much of a variety there but you can stop by the boutique I work cuz we carry a wide variety, fo'sure.

Although, it didn't rank as the softest in my opinion, I still would give any tee made with Tencel a thumbs up just because it's 100% biodegradable and organic and the manufacturing process of this fabric is environmentally safe.


MOST SOFT:




In my opinion, these demi-sheer tops by Twen-tee are by far the most soft to the touch of all t-shirts. The light-weight, paper-tissue thin fabric adds the supple drape to the layered look I love so much. Twen-tees uses a blend of organic supima and cashmere. Supima being the world's most finest, rarest, and most sought after cotton, short for superior pima is made from ELS (Extra Long Staple Cotton). The softness of this fabric is created by the extra long fiber length also creating the radiant fabric surface that's less likely to pill - I mean that's great cuz I hate when my shirts do that! Twen-tees are not only available at the boutique but you can find the basics at Nordstrom.com .

You can find jersey knit tops and tanks made from regular cotton, polyester or rayon blends anywhere that will keep you cool. But let's take it to the next level...Don't be afraid to check the labels to see what the top or t-shirt is made of...that way you get a better idea of the quality of the garment.

For something so basic, Mz. Lady Yvette believes that it does hurt to invest in the best! - Why not get it all...the comfort, style/look, and practicality, all in one?????????








No comments:

Post a Comment