Beat the Heat, Take Two

how to wear a kaftan dress

And the heatwave continues…

I’m back home in Finland, and still suffering from too hot weather. If anything, it’s worse here. With daytime temperatures around (or just below) 30°C, and the so-called tropical nights (when the temperature hardly drops at all in the evening), the difference between outdoor and indoor temperature is almost non-existent.

So, besides having the small mobile air con unit I have on overdrive, I’ve been trying to cool off by spending time by the sea.

And as you can see, I got another one of these loose sack dresses, too. I’ve never been a fan of kaftans, but I’m beginning to see why they make sense, on a hot day, that is. This dress provides some sun protection and keeps me cool. Well, relatively speaking…

The dress sort of floats around me, without sticking to my skin. And as it’s made of viscose, it feels cool on my skin. And it has pockets!!!

kaftan dress

Marimekko Unikko

These photos were taken on a small island, in a lovely old restaurant (the dinner was delicious, too). The restaurant was built in 1898 and, just like the yacht club on the neighbour island, it is literally a 2-minute shuttle boat trip away from the mainland.

Helsinki summer restaurant

Klippan

OK, back to the outfit…

Well, as far as Marimekko dresses go, this one is a bit of a cliché, of course. Not only because of the iconic Unikko (= poppy) pattern, but because there’s hardly a self-respecting (Finnish) style blogger who hasn’t featured this particular dress… By the way, this is not a sponsored post, and I paid for the dress myself.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking that maybe I need to start looking at my summer/heatwave wardrobe the same way I approach my winter wardrobe. I mean, I usually buy one or two cashmere sweaters every year, and wear them forever. Maybe I should get one or two kaftan dresses every summer, too, to prepare for the inevitable July heatwave. Does that make sense?

50+ blogger

Outfit details:

dress: Marimekko / bag: Coach / shoes: jenny / sunglasses: Prada

Tiina

PS: Have you seen the latest Dilettante Artist post?

Linking up with:

Not Dead Yet StyleElegantly Dressed and StylishHigh Latitude StyleThe Pleated PoppyStyle ElixirA Labour of LifeDoused in PinkCurly Crafty MomFashion Should Be FunRachel the HatSincerely Jenna MarieMore Pieces of MeColor and GraceThe Wardrobe StylistNot Dressed As LambStyle NudgeCoco et La Vie en Rose,  Living on Cloud NineA Well Styled LifeElegance and MommyhoodPosh Classy MomNancy’s Fashion StyleShelbee on the Edge Over 50 Feeling 40 A Pocketful of Polka Dots Style SplashThe Fashionista MommaTina’s Pink FridayFake FabulousLazy daisy JonesVanity and MeSheela WritesJodie’s Touch of StyleGlass of GlamMummabstylish

26 Comments

  1. Nancy's Fashion Style
    3 August 2018 / 6:38 am

    Isn t this summer just fantastic! I love it! Eating outside in the garden, reading books by the pool! Fabulous!

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:07 am

      It sounds as if you like hot weather, so this must be a wonderful summer for you.I find it quite challenging as I don't have air conditioning at home (in Finland we prepare for cold winters…), and the indoor temperatures are the same as outdoor temps. And it never cools down at night…

  2. No Fear of Fashion
    3 August 2018 / 7:56 am

    I recognised the brand of the dress immediately. That is OK as it is a lovely design. Very wise to buy it (and another one). In The Netherlands the temperatures are the same. We are so NOT used to this ��.Greetje

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:09 am

      I hate hot weather, I really do. Almost as much as I hate cold weather. No, I hate it more: at least I can escape cold weather by going indoors…And yes, I will definitely get more Marimekko dresses in the future.

  3. señora Allnut
    3 August 2018 / 10:49 am

    Well, it's made of viscose, has a big poppies print and pockets, so it's totally my cup of tea!. I think you look cool and elegant (which is really hard in a heatwave) totally comfortable!. So fabulous to enjoy some seaside breeze!I own some 'mínimum effort' summer outfits, but, you know, I'm spanish so it would be suicidal not to do it (today we'll have 39C!, in the north of Spain!)I was not a huge fan of kaftans myself, but I'm also becoming a believer! besos

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:11 am

      Thanks!39C!!!! That's insane. we've been having 28-30 and it's been hell (no air con in my flat).

  4. debwlv
    3 August 2018 / 5:48 pm

    Tiina, you are living the dream! My sister and I are convinced that caftans are our future! Thanks for showing us the way and making it looks so cool and desirable—I'm officially inspired!

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:24 am

      Ah, thank you!I think kaftans might be in my future, too, if hot weather becomes the new normal in summer. I'm definitely going to find a few more (for next year, now the weather is finally getting a bit cooler).

  5. Lisa
    3 August 2018 / 7:34 pm

    Our temps here in North Carolina, USA are in the 90's with 70% humidity! I love the heat but could do without all this moisture. We are rarely wearing any clothes haha. tank tops and cut offs. That dress looks adorable on you. Lisa

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:25 am

      Yes, humidity makes it worse! I hardly wear any clothes at home (a silk robe, maybe) and I'm still suffering.

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:25 am

      Thanks, Giulia!

  6. GlamorousandGeeky
    5 August 2018 / 7:37 pm

    Thanks for linking up! Love the print of the dress

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:26 am

      Thanks!

  7. Jill James
    6 August 2018 / 10:53 am

    Oh Tiina I really feel for you in your heatwave, especially as your night are still hot. At least we expect them here in Australia and most homes have aircon. I really love your loose , floaty dress and I have always liked that print and they really are the best thing to wear in the heat.

    • Tiina L
      7 August 2018 / 7:26 pm

      Thanks, Jill. It's usually quite warm this time of the year, but now it's been really hot for weeks. I'm so looking forward to autumn…

  8. Jessica Jannenga
    8 August 2018 / 3:41 pm

    I am in the South, so I know what you mean about the heat! I get crabby in August! 🙂 Pretty dress and it keeps you cool which important! Love the look of the restaurant too, id love to eat there. thanks for linking!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      10 August 2018 / 11:16 am

      Thanks, Jessica. I suppose heatwaves are pretty much expected in summer. I traveled in the South (Louisiana and Georgia) once, a long time ago, and the heat was just something I'd never experienced. Until now, that is, and here, in my own neighnourhood, of all places…

  9. Penny Kocher
    9 August 2018 / 9:52 am

    Hi TiinaIt's great to see your blog, which I've just discovered through the High Latitude Style link-up 🙂 That's a great dress – I love wearing cool loose dresses in the heat too. Here in the UK the temperatures have just returned to normal and it's raining and I'm so pleased with this because we don't as a rule have air con in our homes – so it's been a bit unusually hot for us Brits!

    • Tiina L
      10 August 2018 / 11:19 am

      Thanks, Penny.I know: we have a house in the U.K. (my husband works there), no air conditioning, and it was unbearably hot this summer. It was impossible to get the indoor temperature to cool down.

  10. Nicole Mölders
    10 August 2018 / 3:34 am

    Thanks for linking up to the Top of the World Style party. This dress is pretty bold, but you rock it well!

    • Tiina L
      10 August 2018 / 11:21 am

      Thanks, Nicole! Marimekko is known for bold prints, and this particular print was first introduced in the 60's and it's still in production.

  11. KimMalk
    12 August 2018 / 6:53 pm

    I haven't seen this dress, yet, so it's good for me. It looks nice and cool and I like the handbag you've chosen to go with it.

    • Tiina L
      13 August 2018 / 8:29 am

      Thanks! This dress has quickly become my favourite for hot weather. It's just brilliant: it's cool and provides protection from the sun, and it's low-maintenance (= wash and wear).

  12. Emma Peach
    14 August 2018 / 7:20 pm

    Beautiful dress, I love the bold floral print. The weather has cooled down here in the UK and the air is much fresher. I do love the Summer but prolonged hot and humid spells with no air con make me grumpy! Thanks for linking up!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      20 August 2018 / 10:03 am

      Thanks, Emma.It's the lack of air con that's the worse: there's nowhere to go to escape the hot weather. Fortunately, it has cooled down here, too.

Leave a Reply