Summer is my favorite season hands down. There is something about being able to go outside without having to dress in layers. It’s a feeling you don’t get in the dead of winter. I can also accomplish so much more during warmer months, including staying active and enjoying outdoor activities. But, I love summer fashion and believe it or not, there is a smart way to wear summer clothes. If you want to successfully dress for the summer heat, there are few things you should know.
What to Wear to Brave the Summer Heat
Wear light colored clothing. When it comes to choosing the right colors, let the albedo be your guide. Albedo is the amount of light hitting a surface that reflects back. For example, freshly fallen snow has high albedo while black asphalt has low albedo. The same idea rings true for colors worn. Wearing light colored clothing reflects the sun’s rays which will make you feel cooler on hot days. The opposite can be said about wearing dark colors. Doing so absorbs light from the sun making you feel even hotter.
Wear loose fitted clothes. Tight fitted clothes will stick to your skin and make it feel uncomfortable in hot weather. Loose fitted clothing will allow sweat to cool your body off through evaporative cooling. This process involves changing from liquid to vapor. Sweat is mostly made of water, which absorbs heat from the skin and then evaporates, taking that heat with it.
Choose lightweight breathable fabrics. Try to avoid wearing garments like satin. Although some satin fabrics are light, airy and breathable, I would avoid wearing it all together during the summer months because heat can get trapped and make you feel uncomfortable, not to mention can leave behind sweat stains. Cotton and linen are top fabrics to wear during summer. The eco-friendly natural fibers release heat and leave you feeling cool. The same goes for undergarments. Underwear made of cotton will also absorb moisture and heat, while synthetic fabrics won’t be as breathable.
Don’t forget the sunscreen. Sunscreen should be worn all year round. But as we spend more time outdoors enjoying longer daylight hours and the summer heat, it’s vital to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. The sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate the clouds and cause cellular damage.
This can lead to premature aging, sunburn, skin cancer, and hyperpigmentation. Wearing sunblock can also help maintain an even skin tone.
Here are a few of my summer fashion favs from Armoire Style. Enjoy a 50% discount when you sign up. Please be sure to follow me for more weather and fashion tips on Instagram.
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