The heat of summer is tough to deal with. When you have the pleasure of air conditioning, it’s easy to keep cool. But when you’re exposed to higher temps, it becomes a lot harder to keep cool. Not only does it make you feel physically hot, but it can make it harder to remain cool-headed too. Hot temperatures often mean hot tempers, especially if summer isn’t your favorite season. If you find that you struggle with the heat and want to find the best ways to stay cool, what you wear can make a huge difference. But if you choose the right outfits, you can feel much cooler and calmer.
Pick the Right Fabrics
Hopefully, you don’t need anyone to tell you that it’s not the best idea to wear a heavy leather jacket or a cozy fleece in the summer. These might be acceptable in cooler mornings and evenings, but you don’t want to be wearing them when the sun is high in the sky. But it’s not just these obvious materials that aren’t the best choices for hot days. Your choice of fabrics is super important if you want to stay cool. Some fabrics are really breathable, letting air pass through them, or can help to wick away sweat. Others are not so great at either of those things.
If you want to wear the right fabrics, there are lots of great options. Cotton is very breathable, and so are other natural fabrics. Synthetic fabrics can be less so, so it’s often best to avoid things like polyester. Try to pick fabrics that aren’t too thin or flimsy because they can have a tendency to start sticking to you as soon as you break a sweat.
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Go for Lighter Colors
What colors are best in hot weather? Dark colors absorb light and heat, so they’re not necessarily what you want when you’re trying not to overheat. If you want to stay cool and breezy, lighter shades are better. And they don’t have to be boring, so don’t feel you have to stick with white. There are lots of lighter colors and patterns that you can choose for your summer clothes. Light colors can also just have a psychological effect, making you feel cool even if you’re not actually getting much of a real benefit from them.
Choose Loose and Flowing (Not Tiny and Tight)
It might seem to make sense that if it’s hot, you should wear as little as possible. But that’s usually not the case. Instead of going for skimpy and skintight clothes, you should look for looser, flowing clothes that help to cover you up. Why? Well, there are a few advantages to this. Firstly, you get more air flowing between you and your clothes, so it’s nice and breezy. That will help sweat dry, which is what keeps you cool. Covering up more is good for a couple of reasons too. You won’t be sticking to everything (no peeling yourself off leather seats!) and it will protect you from the sun.
So ditch the tiny tank tops and booty shorts, and go for a looser fit instead. You have lots of stylish options that can give you the perfect summer look. Get some flowing boutique dresses that have a loose fit and a longer length. You can find different styles and colors to get the perfect outfit to suit you. A flowy skirt is another option if you’d rather do separates, and you can pair it with a peasant blouse or something similar. If you’re not into dresses or skirts, some wide-legged pants in a drapey material could be perfect for getting the same effect.
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Keep the Sun Off Your Face
Protecting your face is one of the most important things to do when the sun’s out (which is always). When there’s a high UV index, it’s even more important to make sure you keep the sun off your face. Plus, you want to keep your face from getting too red and sweaty. Sunscreen is obviously a good step if you want sun protection, but it doesn’t really help with the heat. To keep the sun off your face, make sure you also have a hat. A wide-brimmed summer hat can be a stylish option for the season, or you might stick with a baseball cap for something casual. Bucket hats have made a bit of a comeback, but they might not give you the coverage you’re looking for. For another retro twist, especially if you’re not so keen on hats, try a visor.
Pick the Right Undergarments
What you’re wearing under your clothes can be just as important as what you’re wearing on top. And this goes double for anyone who wears a bra. If you know the hell of boob sweat, you’ll be familiar with how a bra can affect you when it’s hot. But ditching your bra could actually make it worse. If you want to be cooler, make sure you’re not wearing a padded bra. Instead, try an unlined bra or bralette. Try to go for something that lifts and separates, and make sure it fits you well. Not sure if you have the right size? Try the A Bra That Fits calculator for a good starting point.
But what about down below? Well, like your other clothes, it’s a good idea to pick something breathable. Cotton is always best, no matter what time of year it is. Not only will it help keep you cool and prevent sweat from pooling in various places, but it’s good to prevent bacteria from developing too. That’s right—appropriate underwear can help to prevent UTIs. You might also want to cover up more to avoid stickiness, especially if you’re wearing a skirt or dress. Some people find that, as well as underwear, they benefit from wearing a pair of thin shorts to help stop “chub rub”.
Wear Open Knits
If you want your clothes to feel really breathable, take a look at some open-weave knits. These super loose knits let the air go right through them, which is perfect when you want to stay cool. You can wear some of them or their own, or you might need to layer up a little if you would rather not expose too much of yourself.
Avoid Heavy Embellishments
Some beads or dangly metal pieces can add some sparkle to your outfit, but they might not be the best choice in the summer. If they’re heavy, they can weigh down your clothes, putting them closer to your skin. And if you’re hot and sweaty, that means your clothes are more likely to stick to you. If you want to wear something that’s eye-catching, think about choosing patterned fabrics. You can get the same effect as embellishments but with nothing weighing you down.
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Keep a Light Scarf with You
Scarves might seem more like winter accessories but they can be really handy in the summer. Lightweight scarves can be used in multiple different ways, so they’re versatile items to have on hand. You can use a small scarf to keep your hair off your neck, which is a complete godsend when you’re really sweaty. A scarf can also be draped over your head and neck when you need a little extra sun protection. When you can feel the sun really harshly, pull out your scarf to keep it at bay. And when it gets a little cooler in the evening, a scarf can be another lay to prevent you from getting too chilly.
Wear Unlined Clothes
Lining in clothes can serve a few purposes, including giving them more structure or making them less see through. But you don’t always want lined pieces, especially when it’s stupidly hot. Lining will make your clothes heavier, so you might want to avoid it. Unlined jackets, dresses, skirts, and tops will feel a lot lighter and looser. Of course, you might want to be careful of what you’re wearing underneath. If you don’t want your underwear to show, wear a color that’s close to your skin color and it will help them to be less visible.
Carry a Small Bag
Carrying a big bag can be super helpful when you like to be prepared. But as it gets hotter, it can just become a burden. A backpack or a large tote can really drag you down and make you feel a lot hotter. Switching to a smaller bag could keep you cool, and it might help you to whittle down your must-have items when you’re out and about. Do you really need a full makeup bag and a first aid kit? Narrow it down to just the essentials, like your phone, keys, and wallet. In the summer, you might want some sunscreen, a lightweight scarf, and a water bottle. If you want to carry water but keep your bag small, consider using a carabiner clip or just holding your bottle in your hand.
Follow these rules and you can keep your cool all summer long, while also looking as stylish as possible.
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