Styling tips for hot days
17.6.2021
For a summer with style instead of sweaty stains, the fabrics, colours and cuts must be right. This is how you turn your clothes into an air conditioner.
Imagine a summer in Italy. Grandezza instead of tacky tank tops. Good style and high temperatures aren’t mutually exclusive. The best proof are Italians, who are among the best-dressed people. You, too, can be among the best-dressed and still not sweat. It works even without a cooling gelato.
The colour
Is it just me, or do you also increasingly reach for bright colours like orange or yellow in the summer? Strong colours look really nice with tanned skin. But I’m still reluctant to give up black or white, as these (non-)colours are much easier to combine. I always read that white or light-coloured clothes are the better choice on hot days. But that’s only partially true. They do reflect sunlight better than dark shades. However, the advantage of black is that it protects you better from the sun because it absorbs some of the UV rays (article in German). Still, sunscreen is a must.
The cut
The higher the temperatures, the shorter the clothing. But in fact, more fabric is actually better in the summer. That’s why people in hot desert countries wear long, shade-giving robes to protect them from the sun. You won’t sweat more with long clothing – as long as it’s loose. Air can circulate better under loose-fitting clothes. With tight cuts, the opposite is true, and heat buildup occurs. At 30 degrees Celsius, it’s better to go for loose chino or culotte pants, shirts and dresses, instead of figure-hugging T-shirts, shorts or skirts.
The material
To make sure you don’t break a sweat so quickly, it’s worth taking a look at the label. Because your skin can’t breathe in synthetic fibres like polyester or acrylic – the majority of which are made of plastic. Once you start to sweat, the fabric sticks to your body. Instead, reach for natural fibres like linen, cotton or silk, which absorb moisture better and have a slightly cooling effect. Linen is the ideal summer fabric because it absorbs moisture and dries quickly. And it won’t stick to your skin even at high temperatures.
The accessories
It’s easy to make mistakes with accessories. For jewellery, I advise you to go with gold or silver. Fashion jewellery can discolour due to sweat. This is often the case with necklaces and rings. Leave belts out of your fashion inspiration. The breeziest dress won’t do you any good if you strap a belt around your waist or hips, because heat builds up underneath.
To keep your feet from swelling, open-toed shoes like sandals and mules, or lightweight footwear like espadrilles are the best choice. If you don’t want to give up closed-toe shoes like ballerinas or sneakers even in summer, I advise you to use a barefoot insole made of absorbent terry cloth. This prevents sweaty feet.
This summer, baseball caps are in. Less sporty, but no less pretty are floppy or straw hats with a wide brim.
Tough cookie: office dress code
If you’re already back in the office and bound to a strict dress code, I advise a light cotton shirt, a linen jacket and loose chino pants on hot days. Knee-length skirts and wide palazzo or Marlene pants are also a good choice with a silk blouse. Navy and earth tones make you look serious even in loose-fitting pieces. When it comes to shoes, I recommend sandals, wedge espadrilles, mules or moccasins, if the dress code allows it.
If high temperatures not only make you sweat, but also your make-up, my colleague Natalie Hemengül has the perfect make-up tips for you:
When I’m not exploring the depths of the sea as an open water diver, I enjoy plunging into the world of fashion. On the streets of Paris, Milan and New York is where I keep my eyes peeled for the latest trends. And I’ll show you how to take them from the catwalk to your everyday life.
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