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Fashion 263

It’s hot out there.

Like really hot  —  and dressing up gets complicated when you factor in high-digit temperatures, day in and day out.

How can you wear actual clothes when you’re sweating buckets and just want to sit in front of a fan for a couple of hours?

It’s tempting to resort to the same warm-weather basics in the middle of summer  — those trusty denim shorts and cotton tees are so damn reliable, after all  — but there are ways to jazz up your look. Start by investing in statement pieces that can complement any outfit, no matter how casual or low-key.

Instead of wearing the same white sneakers, for example, try swapping in a pair of vibrant slides for a pop of colour.

The key to dressing for a heatwave is embracing breezy, lightweight fabrics — think linen and silk — over heavier materials like polyester and wool.

Besides the heat, events are back on, meaning you need something to wear — preferably over and over again if you’ve got several weddings to attend this summer.

This floor-sweeping halter maxi dress fits the bill, and with its woven recycled polyester fabric and low-cut neckline, it’s breezy enough to keep you cool in sweltering temps. Try styling it with chic white heels or colourful espadrilles and gold jewelry.

Some have asked about sunglasses.

Well, how many sunglasses are too many?

The limit does not exist.

These tortoise-print sunnies are ultra-glam and will look flawless with a neutral one-piece swimsuit.

Most importantly, the tinted gradient lenses  — with 100% UV protection  — will shield your eyes from the sun.

For the day in the park, if you’re headed to the park for a picnic, this on-trend bucket hat is a must.

The brim will protect your nose and face from sun exposure, and the fuchsia hue is playful and not-so-serious.

It’s just what you need for a leggings-and-T-shirt kind of vibe.

Again there’s no better time to indulge in a little (or a lot of) print and pattern mixing.

This skirt embodies the spirit of summer and features an asymmetrical hem that adds even more visual interest. And the breezy viscose fabric will keep you nice and cool from dinner to drinks.

However, while women snap effortlessly and instantly into hot-weather mode, with floaty frocks and strappy tops, the male of the species is left floundering helplessly.

For men, here’s what to wear when we’re having a spot of hot weather.

Swap shirts for polos

There’s no doubt that a shirt, especially a smart shirt is a piece of formal clothing. But if the occasion dictates you can go smart casual, a polo shirt could be a great alternative in the heat.

A short-sleeved polo shirt will still leave you looking smart in the summer. While it’s not formal in the dress code sense, it still looks the part in the smartest casual settings.

Wear light colours in a heatwave

Continuing from above, you should embrace light colours in all the clothes you wear.

Light colours absorb less heat from the sun, whereas darker colours absorb more heat.

These are:

• Linen
• Cotton
• Polyester

You should make sure the fabrics you wear are lightweight, and avoid any heavyweight fabrics. That includes any heavy fabrics listed above, and of course fabrics such as wool and leather.

Linen shirts

Linen is the fabric for Summer tailoring, and it’s the perfect choice if you need to look smart while keeping cool at the same time. I’ve got myself a brand new linen shirt and it’s proving to be a good buy this season. Linen is very thin, it’s very fine and therefore good for the heatwave we’re currently experiencing.

Cotton

It is a more breathable fabric, and can keep you cool. However, it will absorb water, i.e. your sweat.

This is obviously, not good, and you’ll end up with a soaking wet T-shirt, that’s soaked in your sweat. – Not a good look, or a good smell either.

Polyester

There’s a good reason why gym wear, football shirts and athletic wear is usually made from polyester.

It deals with water, or this case, sweat, well. The wicking properties draw sweat away, and definitely leave you feeling much more comfortable than a cotton T Shirt would.

Ultimately the choice is yours; If you’re prone to sweating you may opt for polyester, if you’re hot but it’s not causing you to sweat a great deal, you may be able to get away with a thin, light cotton tee.

Cotton Vs Polyester: T Shirts

T Shirts (especially white t shirts) are the obvious choice when it comes to wearing something on your upper half, but there’s a bit of a problem when you want to keep cool.

You have a choice between a blend, or something which is either cotton or polyester. Both are good in their own ways, and for most scenarios you’d pick cotton.

Avoid wearing denim jeans when it’s humid

If you’re looking at wearing jeans, then you should wear light Colours, and also make sure they’re super light weight.

Ripped denim will give your legs a bit of extra cooling, and of course white jeans are always a good thing, as you’ll know I love that trend for Summer.

Lighter footwear over leathers

For your footwear options, you should be considering comfort, weight, materials and of course style.

In the heat you’ll want to ensure you’ve got some light footwear on that’s breathable. Formal shoes look great, but the thick heavy leather doesn’t do your feet any good in the heat.

For casual occasions, sports trainers will work well, since they’re built to deal with sports. Lighter footwear such as canvas shoes including Converse are light options that work well in summer.

If you can get away with it, sliders or flip flops could be an options, especially for around the house.