Beat the Heat

Marimekko dress

I think I’ve had enough of summer…

Or, rather, the hot weather. I mean, it’s been weeks… And I’ve spent some time in no less than 3 countries these past couple of weeks (first in Finland, then a week in the U.K., a few days in Germany, and then back to Finland…), and there was no difference whatsoever in temperature.

Well, at least in Germany it cooled down in the evenings, and the air con in the hotel was fantastic. Which was great as we could at least escape the hot weather every once in a while.

But, let’s talk about the outfit.

These photos were taken in Dortmund, Germany. And as I said, it was really hot, which of course makes doing all the ‘touristy stuff’ a bit challenging. But at least I think I’ve now cracked the code for proper heatwave-proof wardrobe.

The trick is to wear something loose and light: a shapeless sack dress with nothing around the waist, no jewellery and the simplest shoes I can find.

Marimekko dress

kaftan dress

Yes, I know that a shapeless dress makes me look at least 2 sizes bigger. And you know what, I don’t give a damn. It’s way too hot, and I simply can’t stand anything touching my skin. And I definitely don’t want anything around my waist making me sweat even more.

And after weeks and weeks of hot weather, I can say without a doubt that this is the most comfortable outfit I’ve worn all summer (note to self: next time there’s a Marimekko outlet sale, forget the bags and towels and just stock up on loose dresses, they will become a summer stable from now on, thanks to climate change…). I wouldn’t go as far as saying the dress makes a heatwave ‘fun’ but it certainly makes it a bit more bearable.

kaftan dress over 40

Outfit details:

dress: Marimekko (old) / shoes: Jenny / bag: Coach / sunglasses: Prada

What do you wear when it gets too hot?

Tiina

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

24 Comments

  1. Patti Gibbons
    29 July 2018 / 10:02 pm

    That's a great dress, Tiina and I completely agree: the coolest option is a shift dress. Love the pink bag too. xox-Pattihttp://notdeadyetstyle.com

    • Tiina L
      30 July 2018 / 11:00 am

      Thanks, Patti. The heatwave has lasted so long that I'm struggling to put together outfits. Not because I don't have enough clothes but because nothing feels comfortable and cool enough…

  2. Unknown
    30 July 2018 / 6:57 am

    I think you look fantastic, it’s a lovely dress. My problem with wearing any dress in this hot weather is thigh chafing, not found a solution yet!🙃

    • Tiina L
      30 July 2018 / 11:04 am

      Thank you!I have the same problem with thigh chafing; I wear slightly longer underpants (made of cotton or other soft, natural material) under dresses and skirts. Find something that looks like (loose) biker shorts, that works!

  3. Bev Oso
    30 July 2018 / 6:01 pm

    You look so lovely and cool. I am appreciating your blog as you are giving me advise for summer travel. Bev (Canada)

    • Tiina L
      1 August 2018 / 1:53 pm

      Thank you, Bev! I'm glad I can at least look cool. Trust me, I was feeling anything but when we took these photos (it was a really hot day).

  4. Arlene from NJ
    31 July 2018 / 12:44 pm

    I don't think I've ever posted here but I love your blog! The funny thing is I did my DNA Ancestry thing recently and found out that aside from what I already knew about my ancestors, I learned that some of them came from Finland! Never knew that. Love your style and the dress looks so amazing, especially good in this heat we are having here in the US (NJ). Arlene from NJ

    • Tiina L
      1 August 2018 / 2:07 pm

      Thank you Arlene! That is so sweet of you.Actually, there are a lot of people with Finnish ancestors in the U.S. (and in Canada), especially in the Midwest, as a lot of Finns left the 'old country' in the late 19th and early 20th century and settled there. And there are areas in (especially western) Finland today where just about every family has distant cousins in the U.S. I think some of my grandmother's cousins left for Canada, though, but we haven't kept in touch.

    • Tiina L
      1 August 2018 / 2:07 pm

      Thanks, Giulia!

  5. Jessica Jannenga
    1 August 2018 / 4:50 pm

    Very pretty dress. I love a shift dress in summer and never get how people can wear jeans in the heat! Hubby says I am hard to please with the weather.. not to hot, not too cold! The colors in the dress are beautiful with your complexion. thanks for linking!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • Tiina L
      2 August 2018 / 9:55 am

      Jeans in the heat! even thinking about that makes me sweaty and uncomfortable. I know what you mean about being hard please when it comes to weather, I'm the same. I hate too hot weather every bit as much as I hate too cold weather. Which is why I love autumn. Then the weather is just perfect.Thanks, Jessica!

  6. passion fruit, paws and peonies
    2 August 2018 / 7:28 am

    I love your dress – you look fantastic in it!! Hope you had a great time in England – you got us in a heat wave! xx Maria

    • Tiina L
      2 August 2018 / 9:57 am

      Thank you, Maria! I go to England quite often as my husband works there, but to be quite honest, I have been enjoying these visits much less for the past two years (and it has nothing to do with weather…)

  7. señora Allnut
    2 August 2018 / 11:45 am

    I totally support your note to buy more dresses at Marimekko!, you look cool and comfy in this one and the print is so beautiful!. Love that it matches your bag perfectly!Staying comfortable and stylish in a heatwave is a hard work, I also prefer loose and light dresses or tunics. Linen is my best friend, even if I look less polished (wrinkles!)besos

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 8:57 am

      Thanks!I agree: style and a heatwave are are challenging combination (well, style and extreme cold isn't easy either…), and I really struggle finding anything comfortable. But I will certainly scour the Marimekko outlet sales for loose dresses from now on.

  8. Nicole Mölders
    3 August 2018 / 4:29 am

    You look stunning in this dress. The print is so special and the color combination is so you. Great find. Thanks for joining the Top of the World Style linkup

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 8:59 am

      Thanks, Nicole. I fell in love with this print when I saw it (this is from s/s2017 collection), and even though I've always avoided 'sack dresses', I just had to get it.

  9. Emma Peach
    4 August 2018 / 9:47 pm

    Beautiful dress, I love the print, and the loose fit is perfect for the hot weather. I've been slobbing at home in shorts and a vest but wearing a T-shirt dress or loose trousers when I go out. Thanks for linking up!Emma xxxwww.style-splash.com

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:00 am

      Thanks, Emma. Hot weather is quite a challenge, isn't it? And not just from style point of view.

  10. Bettye Rainwater
    5 August 2018 / 12:58 pm

    Shapeless sack dresses are my jam ALL the time! I'm really admiring (and coveting) your Marimekko print one! And what a perfect match your bag is!Bettyehttps://fashionschlub.com

    • Tiina L
      6 August 2018 / 9:03 am

      Thanks, Bettye!I really think I will start collecting these shapeless dresses from now on, and wear nothing else in summer. The bag is a real gem: it goes with anything. And I mean anything.

  11. Megan Ballard
    9 August 2018 / 4:52 pm

    Love the print on that dress Tiina. Thanks for linking up for The Weekly Style Edit. xo~ Megan

    • Tiina L
      13 August 2018 / 8:26 am

      Thanks, Megan!

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