Summer-ready: lightweight denim for hot weather

When you think of denim, you might envision heavy jeans and thick jackets—items that are more suitable for colder months. However, denim can also be the perfect fabric for the summer heat. New-generation lightweight summer denim is a versatile and breathable material that provides all the style and durability you appreciate in this iconic fabric but with a fresher twist.

The heavyweight of denim is in its roots

Denim’s traditional heavyweight nature stems from its historical purpose and the materials used in its construction. Originally, it was designed as a sturdy fabric for workwear, meant to withstand the demands of labor-intensive tasks, which necessitated a robust and durable material.

The heaviness of denim is further emphasized by its deep blue color, achieved through an indigo dyeing process that involves multiple dips in vats of indigo dye. Each dip adds layers of color, resulting in a rich, dark hue. This process also requires a thicker fabric to hold the dye effectively.

While traditional heavyweight denim is often viewed as too stiff and rough by many, it offers several benefits:

• Durability: the heavier weight makes denim more resistant to wear and tear, ensuring longevity
• Comfort: although it may seem counterintuitive, heavyweight denim can be incredibly comfortable once broken in—the fabric molds to the body, providing a customized fit
• Character: the heavier weight allows for more pronounced fading and distressing, giving each pair of jeans a unique character

Why choose lightweight jeans for summer?

Denim has long been a wardrobe staple due to its durability, timeless appeal, and versatility. However, its traditional heaviness can make it less suitable for hot summer days. The good news for denim enthusiasts is that it has evolved to suit warmer weather better.

Summer-friendly, lighter-weight denim variations have emerged, allowing you to continue wearing your favorite denim pieces without overheating. Here are the benefits of lightweight jeans:

• Breathability: lightweight denim promotes better airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable in warm weather
• Versatility: these jeans can be easily dressed up or down, making them suitable for a variety of occasions, from casual outings to more formal events
• Comfort: the lighter fabric ensures a relaxed fit, making them ideal for all-day wear
• Style: lightweight denim comes in various styles, enabling you to express your personal fashion sense
• Durability: despite their lighter weight, these jeans are still durable and can withstand regular wear and tear

Lightweight denim can be made from 100% cotton, stretch fabrics, or blends of cotton with other materials, such as TENCEL™ branded fibers. These fibers are derived from wood pulp and offer softness, breathability, and long-lasting comfort.

Denim fits for hot weather

The key to making lightweight denim suitable for hot weather lies in the fit. While skinny jeans have their place during cooler months, summer fashion prioritizes comfort. This means opting for looser, more breathable styles like wide-leg denim. Wide-leg jeans and trousers are not only stylish but also practical for summer, as they allow air to flow freely around your legs, helping you stay cool.

Denim shorts and skirts are also very popular during hotter weather. Denim shorts are a quintessential summer staple for a good reason: they are easy to wear, comfortable, and versatile. In the 1960s, people began cropping their jeans into raw hem cutoffs. By the 1970s, these cutoffs became popular, with the shorter style known as Daisy Dukes, named after Catherine Bach’s character from The Dukes of Hazzard.

For a more feminine look, denim skirts—available in mini or midi lengths—or dresses are a great option, allowing you to stay cool while still sporting denim. Additionally, ‘90s long denim skirts have made a comeback in recent fashion shows.

Lastly, loose-fitting jackets or shirts are ideal for cooler evenings or unexpected rain. A lightweight denim jacket serves as the perfect layering piece. Look for options that are unlined or lightly lined, which can keep you warm without causing you to overheat, or oversized denim shirts that are perfect for seaside wear, especially when the evening breeze begins to cool the air.

Color also plays a significant role in summer fashion. White and ecru denim are perennial favorites, as they evoke a sense of lightness, freshness, and cleanliness. If you prefer to stick with classic indigo, consider opting for light-washed denim, which offers a soft and relaxed look and better suits the summer color palette.

Features of Leggera denim

Leggera is our collection of lightweight summer denim that seamlessly blends style, comfort, and the renowned Candiani’s premium quality. We created this line to provide denim fabrics that offer a fresh feeling against the skin while maintaining the authentic denim appearance of traditional heavyweight denim.

All premium denim, including lightweight fabrics, is made from high-quality, durable materials and crafted with attention to detail for a unique aesthetic. Additionally, it offers superior performance, such as maintaining its original shape over time and providing flattering fits for jeans.

Our Leggera collection features a diverse range of fabrics, from rigid to power stretch, to cater to everyone’s preferences, all made with lightweight yarns that feel soft to the touch. It also includes a variety of colors and shades, ranging from Candiani’s deepest and shiniest indigo tones to indigo fading to grey, black, and ecru—the latter being the natural color of cotton.

Additionally, as everything starts with the right raw materials, Leggera fabrics are crafted from regenerative cotton certified by regenagri®, an initiative aimed at promoting regenerative agriculture to enhance soil health and support the livelihoods of the people who depend on it.

About regenerative cotton

Regenerative agriculture does not have a universal definition, as it varies based on specific sites and contexts and is defined by its outcomes. However, its primary goal is generally to enhance soil health and restore ecological balance. Healthy soils offer numerous advantages for the planet, including:

• Reduced water requirements and improved resilience to floods and droughts
• Decreased soil erosion
• Increased carbon dioxide storage underground, which helps mitigate climate change
• Improved crop yields
• Stronger and healthier plants that need less chemical fertilizer and are more resistant to pests and weeds
• Flourishing biodiversity both above and below ground
• Increased financial profitability and lower greenhouse gas emissions for farmers

Some common practices in regenerative agriculture include:

• Cover crops: they are planted to protect and enrich the soil
• Crop rotation: this practice involves changing the crops grown on a specific piece of land from season to season
• No-till or reduced tillage: this approach avoids mechanically disturbing the soil, which helps to preserve microorganisms and improve soil health

Regenerative cotton is cultivated according to regenerative agriculture standards. We use regenerative cotton certified by regenagri®, an initiative dedicated to assisting farms and organizations in their transition to sustainable agricultural practices. This initiative aims to increase soil organic matter, enhance biodiversity, restore natural ecosystem functions, sequester CO2, and improve hydrogen, carbon, and nutrient cycles.

We have chosen to collaborate with regenagri® because it provides immediate solutions to current agricultural challenges. The initiative focuses on continuous improvement rather than maintaining the status quo, addressing the core principles of regenerative agriculture.

Additionally, regenagri® offers a comprehensive solution for farms and organizations to facilitate the ongoing adoption of regenerative practices. It meets farmers where they are and ensures that its standards are accessible to them. Ultimately, regenagri® has the potential to become a widely adopted standard and a scalable solution to some of the most pressing global issues.