Wilting in the heat

Anonymous

It's hotter than the hinges of hell here, and I find that my fashion spirit is faltering. I'm struggling to stay in the game until fall blows in, probably sometime in October. Until then, we have temps of 100F and over to look forward to.

Any secrets or tips to keep my flagging fashion spirit afloat? It's sinking fast and I need help!

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7 years ago

Dressing

32 replies

Latest reply was from

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Stick to natural fibers, flow silhouettes, and sleeveless/short pieces. In late summer/early fall when I am getting bored of my summer wardrobe but it's still hot, I layer vests just for something different.

7 years ago

always trying

Veteran

Me too-and Sometimes it is very hot in October here too. But keeping me going now are my two little trips to cooler areas. So I am looking at fall wardrobe items, on line shopping if I find something, sorting thru booties and such.

7 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I don't have any advice. We are in the same boat. It was 99F yesterday. I guess I'm just grateful it wasn't over 100F, as it was a few weeks ago. My mother's terrible fall has meant several trips to the cool and foggy SF Bay Area. This has been wonderful!! Not her fall and rehab, of course.

ETA: I almost forgot our long weekend in Seattle! Perfect weather, fun meeting Angie and fabbers at the meetup.

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

OH, dear. Do you have a/c at home, Xtabay? I hope so.

Read this post, and I vote extra cold fruit, ice-tea and gelato daily:

http://youlookfab.com/2016/06/.....-the-heat/

7 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

What's been helping me is loose, lightweight dresses, especially with linen in the fabrication. I try to find ones that have interesting details, since I won't be wearing much else with them.

Sorry you're sweltering!

7 years ago

Anonymous

I am taking this advice to heart, and you all have identified a wardrobe hole for me: cool summer dresses. I think if I can find a couple of good ones, I'll be able to limp to summer's finish line!

Angie, it really helped me to reread your blog. What great suggestions for the hotter months. And I'm definitely on board with daily gelato and iced tea. And yes, thank goodness for air conditioning!

7 years ago

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Wow...you have my sympathies. Our weather went to 120F this summer....so I really *get* you.

1) Don't think too much about clothes. Primary goal right now - stay cool

2) Tshirts are your friend. I pair with cotton shorts and change upto 3 outfits a day (after every sweaty activity)

3) When you're out of the AC, stay hydrated. Try and finish all cooking in the cooler morning hours.....stay away from the kitchen during hot afternoon.

4) Summer dresses. I swear by them on hot days. You want natural fibers....and knits are comfier than wovens when you're sweating like crazy (just my opinion).

7 years ago

viva

Veteran

I'm in a dress today - just a cotton t-dress from Gap that I picked up for $9, nothing special, but it is very lightweight and helping me stay somewhat cool (no AC but our first floor is somewhat livable). Stay hydrated and rest when you can.

7 years ago

Barbara Diane

Veteran

120! Oh my Maneera.

I see you are going to purchase some cool dresses, which covers my advice, which was going to be to purchase something new. Even a thin bangle so you see something fun when you look down.

7 years ago

Runs With Scissors

Veteran

You have my sympathies -- it's hot here on the Gulf Coast and will be for a month or two yet. We have A/C but in the heat of the summer it cannot keep up. I wear a lot of linen and cotton skirts in the summer, with a tank top/cami + cardi/hoodie on top. I don't wear open-toed shoes at work, but I will wear something I can slip off easily, e.g. ballet flats.

I just read Angie's post too, and ordered some Second Base camisoles to try. There are some colors on clearance for half price -- I got a green and a navy which are both useful colors for me).

7 years ago

Anonymous

Oh gosh That's hot! I agree that you need summer dresses. There's a blogger...Forage Fashion is the blog... and the blogger swears by loose cotton dresses that stand away from the body to stay cool.

7 years ago

Anonymous

OK, it's off to the Gap tomorrow to see if I can nab a couple of cute cotton T-shirt dresses. I can wear them with my new gladiator sandals. And the Second Base camisoles will help with wearing some of my see-through linen tops. You guys are the best!

Maneera, that is just too darn hot. Are your doggies okay in that heat? I'll bet they're stretched out in a cool spot for the duration.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I don't know if you live in AZ but you could fry an egg on the sidewalk. Can't wait till fall when it is cooler. I wear as little as possible and cotton, sunscreen and AC is your friend. LOL

7 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Phew, it does not get that hot here, so I have only experienced those sort of temps on holidays. But I agree having two loose simple cotton dresses is so helpful.

Aside from that cool showers or swims, and getting my hair off my neck both help!

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have been completely checked out of any attempt to be stylish these last few days. "Real Feel" temps well over 100. Plus a summer head cold. I'm just wearing shorts and tees that wash easily and dunking myself in the pool whenever possible. Even at night it's not getting below 80 degrees. I hate it. I just hope it's not like this in PA next weekend for stepson's wedding. I want to hibernate in my cool basement until October.

7 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I think it is a good idea to give yourself permission to buy something new and practical for the heat, even though summer is technically coming to an end. Towards the end of last summer I decided not to buy anything else that was summer-ish and put my resources towards cool weather purchases. I then ended up feeling miserable as summer temperatures lingered on for another 2 months or more. The thing about summer is that my clothes take a beating from the perspiration/constant washing and they can end up looking limp and faded (which is kind of like how I feel in the heat). So something new and fresh can help lift the spirits, I think

7 years ago

Anonymous

Thanks for commiserating, y'all! Janet, I'd hate to have a head cold on top of epic heat and humidity, what a bummer. And you are so right, Brooklyn about buying for fall now. I did that last year and won't do it again. I hereby give myself permission to buy cool and airy summer goodies as long as it's hot!!

7 years ago

Staysfit

Veteran

Good luck with your Gap shopping Xtabay! I hope you find some nice t-dresses that will help you beat the heat. We keep fans going at our work site that lacks a/c and the heat index has been as high as 107 F. A spritzer bottle with cold water, spray your face and neck. We also put cold wash clothes on foreheads, necks and sometimes draped over torso's. You can freeze the wash clothes or freeze some sponges.

7 years ago

Lucy

Veteran

I too live in a hot and humid climate, so I can commiserate! I agree with everyone that cool easy sundresses are the way to go. I have dressed up ones for work, and casual ones for the weekend. And yes, they are something that do need replacing more regularly than winter clothes - as Brooklyn said, I have to wash mine all the time and I might need to change a couple of times during the day, in the worst of it!
I think good sandals are the other key. I always look for something with a bit of flash or bling or panache - because it is just too hot for other accessories. At least the shoes can be interesting.
On the bright side, I always adore winter here, it is so beautiful and sunny, so there is always that to look forward to

7 years ago

Nishaa

Active Member

One word....
Accessories.
Natural fibres. Loose, flowy clothes....cover most skin...
DRINK A LOT OF WATER.
stay in AC...

And the best of all...

Pray for colder weather....

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I remember the Harry Potter books always coming out when temps were hitting 100F (indoors, no a/c here). I'd lie down in the front hall - the only place with no direct sunlight - and just read HP. Lol.

Ie, there is a time to just lie down...

7 years ago

Anonymous

OK, after I shop for t-dresses, I'm going to lie down with a Harry Potter book and a cool cloth on my head and pray for cooler weather!!! Y'all are hot weather geniuses, I must say. You've given me the courage and will to carry on through this blasted heat!

7 years ago

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

There's a new Harry Potter book, too!

7 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

These linen shorts have saved me from the 107F days we've had here! That and lots of iced drinks and AC of course.

Athleta

Gap Linen Short

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Athleta

Gap Linen Bermuda

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Top Pick

7 years ago

Anonymous

Those shorts look like just the thing, texstyle. I'm wearing my cotton ones into the ground, so I might have to go grab some of those. I have linen pants, too, but it's too darn hot for pants, even linen ones.

7 years ago

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Yes, I first got the pants version of those shorts and wore them a couple of times but they are even too warm for the past few weeks. We have some relief this week with rain and temps below normal in the 80's.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Enjoy the cooling rains! How wonderful to get a break from the heat wave. Maybe you can even wear the linen pants!

7 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

Just sit in a cold bath Oh man. wow

7 years ago

Sisi

Veteran

I suggest cotton fluid breezy dresses and a collection of pretty sandals. For some relief in hot humid weather I use mentholated talc after the shower and a spray of fresh-smelling eau de cologne.

7 years ago

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