One of the most charming (and practical) decorating traditions in the South is the annual summer switch-out, when trading heavy rugs and bedding for light and airy alternatives commences. These seersucker, gauze, and crisp cotton floral and striped options, for instance, will help you beat the heat all season long.
Seersucker
The unmatched softness and breathability of puckered seersucker isn’t limited to the world of men’s blazers: It’s also a dreamy material for outfitting every bed in the house come June. The all-white version by Cuddledown is hard to top. $69–$109 for a flat sheet, $89–$129 for a fitted; cuddledown.com
Linen
Devotees of the delightfully rumpled linen sheets aesthetic, as displayed in this striped design by Morrow Soft Goods, swear by the fabric’s cooling properties. The trick is to break them in properly for ultimate softness. $359 for a set; morrowsoftgoods.com
Gauze
I could not be more thrilled that gauze is suddenly everywhere in the fashion and home spheres. The fabric feels like heaven in hot weather, and luckily Willaby in Georgia sews beautiful bedding constructed entirely of this genius material. $52–$172 for a flat sheet; willabyshop.com
Cotton Floral
Sometimes a specific motif on bedding feels right for a certain season, and that’s true of the idea of sleeping on a field of florals in the summertime, thanks to this design from Biscuit Home in Texas. $300 for a set; biscuit-home.com
Gingham
This is another great example of how borrowing practical ideas from fashion makes a lot of sense for home goods, in this case, lightweight gingham sheets by Cimino Home. $289 for a set; modesens.com
Crisp Cotton
The lacy hemstitching on these made-to-order cotton percale sheets by Julia B. is jaw-droppingly beautiful, as is the uber-luxurious thought of sleeping on them at the end of a long hot day. $1,660–$2,323 for a set; juliab.com
Quilting
My favorite summer coverlet will likely always be a paper-thin quilt, and I love these beauties by Garnet Hill because they feel washed and loved to just the right weight for warmer nights. $149–$199; garnethill.com
