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There’s no getting around the fact that the summer months are hot. But with the right styling tips (and clever tricks!) you can still keep cool, and look cool, all summer long. Summer clothes should look good and feel good at the same time: if you have pieces in your wardrobe that don’t make you feel good about yourself this summer then why are you holding on to them? It’s time for a cull and a shopping trip! With that in mind, here are our top tips for how to stay cool in Summer:
In this photo: Sunset Beach Silk Kaftan
Keeping cool in summer is much easier if you choose the right fabrics. Let’s face it, no matter how lightweight you think your favourite wool dress is, it will never feel as light or breezy as a cotton kaftan! The best fabrics to wear during the warmest months include: cotton, linen, rayon, silk, and chambray.
Cotton is a great choice because it is lightweight and breathable, allowing any excess body heat to escape, wicking sweat, and keeping you cool.
Linen has many of the same properties as cotton because it is so lightweight. It also tends to be more loosely woven than cotton, but because it is stiffer material it won’t stick to your body. This makes it a great option for pieces you will sit on such as trousers and skirts.
Silk and Rayon have identical properties, but rayon is a cheaper man-made alternative to true silk. Rayon and silk are both constructed of very thin layers, allowing more breathability than any other fabric. They also won’t stick to your body in the heat, and are particularly comfortable when worn in a slightly oversized style.
Chambray combines all the properties of cotton with the appearance of denim, but unlike denim it is more lightweight, breathable, and designed to wick away perspiration. If you can’t bear to fold away your jeans, even in the heat of the summer, then chambray is the perfect alternative for you.
In this photo: Nika Island Cotton Kaftan Dress
Fashion magazines may be showing us skinny jeans and bodycon dresses this summer, but the fact is that tight clothes such as these are a one-way ticket to overheating during the summer months. Instead opt for light and loose clothing with a flowing bohemian feel. Kaftan dresses are amongst the best pieces of lightweight clothing for hot weather you can choose, whilst if you prefer to wear trousers, wide legged linen trousers will always be a cooler option than closely fitting jeans. The lighter and looser your clothing, the easier it will be for the air to circulate around your body. Maintaining this circulation and flow of cooler air is key to staying cool in the summer months.
Not sure summer hats suit you? Shop around until you find a style you love. Very few women of a certain age look good in baseball caps (so lucky you if you can pull one off!) but wide brimmed panama hat or woven crombie styles are easy to wear and almost universally flattering. A hat will help to keep you cool by protecting the top of your head from the direct heat of the sun. It will also protect your head, face, and neck from the sun’s harmful UV rays and, combined with ensuring that you keep your sun lotion topped up, is one of the best ways to protect yourself from skin cancer.
Wearing sunglasses, alongside your hat, is also a great idea. Not only will they make you look like a movie star, they will protect your eyes from the sun’s rays and from any eye strain caused by its bright summer glare.
Although not a fashion tip, one of the best suggestions on how to stay cool in summer is to listen to your body. If you start to feel unwell, or experience dizziness, nausea or headaches then you could be suffering from a mild case of sun stroke and it’s vital that you get out of the sun. If you still don’t feel better after half an hour or so, seek medical advice.
If your body is telling you that you need to cool down then throw on that bathing suit and head to the pool: not an option? Even plunging your feet into a bowl of cool water will make a difference, and help you to feel cooler and lower your core body temperature. Your body will tell you what it needs you to do: listen to it and you’re much more likely to have the best summer ever!
