Crisp and clean tops for muggy weather

I read Angie's sage advice about buying times for the summer season, and was wondering, for those of you who live in muggy climates (GTA, Montreal, East Coast of the US, etc.), what kind of tops do you wear?

I love crips and clean tops, and would prefer not to default to the tank + loose cardigan formula. That said, it seems impossible to wear a white blouse without sweating through it entirely before you reach your destination. Is there something I'm missing?

10 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from JAileen

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote trendy flouncy patterned blouses. They make a statement. You don't need to wear a camisole, and they camouflage perspiration marks. I used to wear those all the time when I lived and worked in Cape Town and Hong Kong. And it's HOT there. (I probably did wear a camisole though - just because I like the comfort factor).

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

I also think pattern is good to hide perspiration, and if you want a crisper or more geometric look than a flouncy blouse, maybe something cut a bit boxy so it stays away from the body in a light cotton or silk (that isn't see through). Maybe slightly cropped (with no skin visible) so it doesn't need tucking and air can come in underneath.

When I've moved to muggy climates from temperate ones (I moved to India from the northern US) it takes my body awhile to adjust and there is a period of sweating a lot. But actually if I stay in the heat and don't have AC on at night (or if possible at work) my body adjusts after awhile and I don't sweat nearly as much. That's harder when you are moving in and out of AC throughout the day especially when you are walking on the street between buildings often.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Crisp tops work. Just roll up the sleeves. , or make sure they have short sleeves. I wear camis under my shirts though, even if it's really hot. I find it protects the shirt from perspiration.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Look for white linen in a rather boxy style for hot summers, but I still wear a "cami". It is an old white linen EF woven top that is sleeveless and has a deep V neck.

10 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I lived in Houston and elsewhere along the Texas Gulf Coast for ten years. I wore both linen and cotton, in ironed shirts, knit cap sleeve sweaters, and boxy tops, all with skirt suits and stockings. I ironed all of the tops, except the sweaters, and they stayed crisp all day. I never wore a cami. Ever. That makes me sweaty just thinking about it.

Smittie, I had a job where I was not allowed to roll up my sleeves (CPA at one of the big eight firms). I agree with Rabbit that you do get used to it. Now, it makes me gag to think about it, but I actually did okay with that horrible weather.

ETA: Now I live in the high desert and LOVE it! In summer our humidity is often in single digits.

10 years ago

Marina

Active Member

I live in São Paulo/Brazil. I wouldn't call our weather "muggy", but it is hot and humid during summer (it's 4pm and we have 84F and 79% relative humidity right now - what means today was a "mild" day).

This will sound ridiculous, but since most of my shirt's breast button won't close anyway, I layer them with some fitting cami or tank top and let them open "on purpose". And since layering is unavoidable, I use just my cami or tank top while I'm on the run and carry my shirt until I arrive where I'm going to use it (like during work hours, meetings or lectures).

10 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

Ooh I like Marina's idea. I always forget that open shirts over an under-layer can function as a hot weather 'topper'.

10 years ago

Ginger

Veteran

JAileen, mad props to you! I'm a Texan but NOT Gulf Coast. The heat and humidity is amazing, and I'm very glad my part of Texas isn't that wet. (Hotter, though. Firmly anti-cami.) I'm curious (and a weather nerd), and Houston's climate info looks very close to Hong Kong, except slightly hotter in the summer. So if you did it in Houston, it works!

10 years ago

Anonymous

I live on the East Coast U.S.A. In summer, I wear loose printed tops that have arm holes that aren't too close up under the arm. The heat and humidity doesn't bother me much, though, as I've grown up with it. Also, my DH and I keep our home temp. at 78 deg. F. That's hot for a lot of folks, but we're used to it. I just hate what the humidity does to my hair!

10 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Ginger, thanks. I think Houston's climate is similar to Hong Kong's - humid subtropical. I'm sure I couldn't handle it now. Even when we visit Dallas or the Hill Country, it seems humid compared to our current climate.

10 years ago

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