When the temperatures start soaring up towards 100 degrees how can you stay looking and feeling cool? Well, a lot depends on what you’re doing. On the weekends or if you’re on vacation it’s pretty simple. However, when you have to go to work it’s a whole different ballgame!
Let’s have a look on how to keep cool and dress in hot weather!
At Leisure
When you can get down to the ocean or a pool, swimwear and plenty of sunscreen is all you need. When you need to cool off just take a plunge in the water, not forgetting to reapply the sunscreen when you get out of course. You should seek some shade during the hottest part of the day though.
If you are strolling around, shorts or skirts, a loose fitting shirt and sandals is the easiest combination. When you are going to get a lot exposure to the sun it is better to cover more skin because clothing acts as a sunscreen, so long pants (not jeans) or skirt and a long sleeved, lightweight shirt. A hat made of a breathable material will stop your head from burning, especially if your hair is a bit thin on top!
In the Office
Women have a lot more choice when it comes to business clothing. Skirts and dresses enable the air to circulate much more effectively than pants. Loose fitting, sleeveless blouses help to avoid those under-arm perspiration stains which are pretty hard to prevent for the guys.
For the men, a lightweight suit, as roomy as you are happy to wear without looking too baggy, will help to stop you from overheating. Wear the jacket as little as possible and a tie should be avoided if possible as it will restrict air circulation. It is tempting, where allowed, to wear shoes without socks but this is not necessarily a good idea. Your feet have more sweat glands per square inch than any other part of your body and can produce up to a half pint of moisture per day! Wear socks that are designed to wick away moisture and ideally take a spare pair to change into during the day.
It is also a good idea to wear shoes of a natural material and to rotate them to ensure that they are fully dry and fresh for the next time you put them on.
Bear in mind that although it might be hot outside, most buildings will have the air-con on full blast so you might need to have extra layers with you to remain comfortable.
Materials
In hot and humid climates heavier material traps a layer of sweat making your body feel hotter. So, lightweight fabrics made of natural fibers like linen and cotton are generally the best option. Wool is considered to be a fabric for cooler weather but, perhaps surprisingly, a light wool weave is a great choice in the heat of summer. Lightweight, natural material also dries quicker, a great benefit in high humidity.
There have been great improvements in the performance of synthetic fabrics stemming from the sports industry. Athletes and sportsmen need materials that wick away sweat and that technology is now being used for everyday clothing. When you buy jackets or shirts made of synthetics, check that they are designed for hot weather.
Breathability
It is not just the weight of your clothing fabric that is important in hot weather. It also needs to be able to breathe and allow air to circulate.
Perspiration is the body’s cooling system, taking heat away to bring our core temperature down. The clothes for hot weather you wear in high temperatures need to let that process continue by allowing air to flow through and letting heat and moisture escape.
It’s not just the weight of the fabric that is important but type of weave. A close weave is not breathable and will keep in moisture.
Another factor to take into account is that many jackets have a silk or polyester lining which will totally negate the breathability of the fabric. Choose a jacket that is half-lined or without lining.
Colors
The stores are full of light and bright colored hot weather clothing in the summer. Lighter shades reflect light helping to keep you cool while dark colors absorb light and retain heat.
Different shades of white, beige, pale gray, yellow and pale pastels are ideal.
Cosmetics
Ladies need to avoid heavy make-up that could melt in the high temperatures. Keep it light or use none at all.
Perspiration may well be the bodies cooling system, but let us not forget that a quality deodorant or antiperspirant will help to keep our friends!
