Dressing for 90 Degree Weather

It's HOT.

and humid.

Do you always wonder what to wear on days like these only to choose an outfit that you cannot wait to get out of once you step into the heat?
Many women reach for maxi dresses when it's hot but, if you're anything like me, maxis are like putting a hot tent over my body that I can't wait to take off once I'm home.
Here's my simple formula for hot weather dressing.

Start with the Correct Undergarments!

A 90 degree day is not the day to bust out your Spanx. If you simply cannot go out of the house without your Spanx then these are the Spanx for you for hot weather. I have a pair, they rock.
A tried-and-true worthwhile investment (trust me, I wear them all summer) is a pair of Under Armour moisture-wicking running shorts.
These will change your life in the summer by wearing them as underwear under dresses & skirts. They smooth you, hold in your belly, AND no gross leg stickiness or chafing & no gross sweatiness! If they're too long on you be sure to buy petites. Yes, they are black, and if you can find a nude version similar to this, go for it, but these, so far, are the only things that work for me in the hot, hot summer.

Next, get yourself a simple, pretty lace or mesh bra.
Who wants to wear a thick, heavy bra with lining and padding and underwires in the heat? Not me. get yourself a pretty lace bra and wear it under everything, if the lace shows too much get a mesh bra, it won't show through your top. If the straps show or a little lace can be seen from the side of a tank it is sexy! (Yes, I said bra straps showing are OK -- this time!)
Full-chested? You can still get a lace or mesh bra! Just find one from a reputable full-bust brand and get an underwire! Sooo much more comfy than a heavily padded bra.
If this look is too fashion-forward for you, or not as functional due to your shape (especially if you need smoothing properties in a bra) invest in a simple cotton T-shirt bra with minimal padding. Here are some options of those.
Here are some other good bra options for the fuller-chested ladies.

What to Wear!

Now you've got the undergarments down (which is the most important, especially in the heat) so, for maximum cooling choose your fabrics & colors wisely!!

What NOT to Wear
Polyester and other synthetic fabrics (synthetic = made made, or not natural) do not breathe. They will form a little pocket of heat under them and you will be sweltering and dying of heat exhaustion!Don't wear them -- in fact, this is a good time to go through your closet and notice just how many polyester things you have creeping in there. maybe it's time to start reading labels and making sure you're purchasing some natural fibers!
Silk, although natural, is a great insulator (doesn't breathe) and you will die a slow death of heat stroke in something silk. Silk is awesome for winter, especially when you want to be warm but not bulky.
Dark fabrics absorb the sunlight, essentially making your clothing similar to wearing a heated blanket. Good luck with that.

What TO Wear
Obviously, the opposite of what's above!
Linen is summer's best fiber friend. Linen is the breathiest fabric (is breathiest a word? I don't know). But linen gets so wrinkly! you say.  Yes, it does, and you are to bask in your wrinkled linen like "I'm too rich and chic to care about my wrinkly linen" because that's what linen says.  Don't believe me? Take a field trip to a ritzy country club one day and check out all the people in their super chic wrinkled linen. Boom.

Cotton. Cotton breathes and is equally as awesome in summer but it gets wet from your sweat and stays wet, so if you are going from the hot, hot heat into an air conditioned restaurant (and you know the air is set at 5 below zero) you will be freezing because you will have wet cotton on which will then turn cold. Trust me, I backpack, and backpackers that wear cotton freeze at night. Cotton/polyester blends are OK (or rayon etc) but you will be more hot than if you were wearing pure 100% cotton.

Light colors. Bounce that sunlight off of yourself! You will be cooler in something white, and summer white is sooo chic. Don't let anyone tell you that an all-white outfit is not slimming - it is! So long as it fits you well and the proportions are correct!How chic does she look below? (OK, that's a winter outfit, but you catch my drift)

Image courtesy of Shapely Chic Sheri. Her blog rocks, check it out, I love her.

Showing Skin in Summer is Not a Requirement
Most people think dressing for hot weather means showing lots of skin (read: tanks and shorts), but that's not necessarily so. Covering your skin with a light, breathable fabric is actually cooler than having your skin exposed to soak up the sun. Someone wearing a long sleeve linen shirt is cooler than someone in a tiny tank. Experiment with this yourself and try out different combos that you may not think to grab for a hot day. I love to wear a linen shirt with rolled up sleeves in the summer, an added bonus is looking different from all the people around me in tank tops. Long linen pants are another options that is chic and will keep you cool!

Now You're Ready for Hair & Makeup!

I, personally, am all about a topknot in summer, but it's a fashion-forward look that not everyone likes, or has the hair for. Topknots know no bounds when it comes to age though, so try not to pigeon-hole yourself into thinking that because of your age or your size you can't do one. Every style can be tweaked for any age is my philosophy!  It's pretty, it lifts the features and it's easy.

Other options are short pixie cuts, or, if you don't want to commit to a short style, there are literally thousands of Pins and YouTube videos where you can learn really cool braiding techniques to keep your hair off your face and neck in the summer. Braids are so pretty. Summer is also a great time to experiment with hats & headbands, I never go anywhere outside without my Panama hat. (I'm trying to avoid forehead wrinkles at all costs, haha)

As far as makeup goes, a quick, waterproof flick of a cat eye is a stay-proof, heat-resistant option that adds a lot of style without a lot of makeup (watch YouTube videos for tutorials on those too) and if you would rather draw attention to your lips, then summer is the perfect time for a nice lip stain (go for a berry inspired color, I love raspberry on my lips) I love Clinique Chubby Sticks the best and they stay on through eating and drinking.

Accessories Time!

I like to wear accessories that are cold on my skin in the summer, like jeweled statement necklaces, metal bangles etc, but I don't overdo it. Having too much on can make you feel hotter. As far as shoes go I love a flat gladiator sandal right now. The thinner your calves the higher you can go with them. If you feel your calves are thicker, go with a lower shoe (nothing around the ankles for maximum flattery). Carry a bag that is small and light. There is nothing worse (or worse looking) than a heavy, leather 'winter' bag on your shoulder when it's hot. Get a cute cross-body bag in a punchy color (see above photo). You'll feel so much cooler! (Literally & figuratively!)

Happy Summer!

xRachel