Winter has come and gone and spring is on its way out, which means summer is finally here and with it, a chance to brighten up your wardrobe with some fresh new Irish designed and made garments. What better way to spend the longer evenings and picturesque sunsets than by dressing for the season? This year, we’ve seen nautical vibes and rustic Irish influences as the muse for Irish designers, and that theme continues throughout the summer styles. Breathable fabrics, bright mixtures of colour, and super lightweight materials create basics that are anything but. They are inspired. Vivid. Exciting. Timeless.
Wherever you are, summer is fun for everyone. Weekends at the lake house, taking in wineries and the theatre in quaint little towns like Niagara-on-the-Lake, day trips to the countryside and rooftop patio drinks in the city. We wait all winter, bundled up in our woollies and boots, pushing through the snow and hoping warm weather is just around the corner. It is time to put the warm clothes back in the closet and store them for another season. Or is it? Call me crazy, but I never put my woolens away for good. There is always a restaurant or shopping mall that has the air conditioning cranked just a little too high, or a breezy day on the golf course, so a lightweight sweater or McKernan Woollen Mills virgin merino wool shawl are always good ideas to keep handy. Merino wool is a great summer fabric as it is naturally moisture wicking and keeps you cool when you’re warm and warm when you’re cool. How is that possible? Well, wool is “thermo-regulating”, which means it is a fibre that reacts to 
your body temperature and changes accordingly to keep you feeling just right. One of the many reasons more and more designers have opted for a natural fabric like wool is the versatility it provides. It is breathable, absorbent, UV & odour resistant, comfortable and above all else, beautiful. Just like a sheep in Ireland, you’ll be protected, soft, and comfortable, no matter what the weather is.
Of course there are even lighter fabrics than wool, like cotton, flax and linen. A little extra care is needed with these types of fabrics, but the benefits, much like wool, will go above and beyond. Whether it is 
in a Rathlin Knitwear pullover or a vibrant handmade linen poncho, cotton and linen are natural fabrics that truly feel organic and ooze simplicity. Designers like Bill Baber from Edinburgh combine linen & silk in their versatile ponchos and wraps, giving every woman the ability to feel elegant and classic. Warmer months are meant for socializing outdoors, gardening and taking in music festivals all the while trying to stay as cool as possible. They are also meant for colour, so why not try a berry coloured Celtic knot work poncho, or perhaps a mint green cardigan coupled with a lightweight silk & pashmina wrap to bring you from day to night? It’s the most effortless way to stay stylish this summer.
By bringing timeless Irish elegance into your life you are creating a lasting standard for the clothing in your wardrobe. Add few merino wool pieces along with linen, cotton & silk, and you’re easily tying it all together. The beautifully classic fabrics and colours for summer 2017 will never lose their shape, keep you fresh under the warmest of climates, and most importantly enrich your life. Take home a piece of Ireland this summer, you won’t regret it.
