I’m not a fan of hot weather
I know, summer’s short, should enjoy every minute of it… But I just don’t like hot weather. My personal ‘comfort zone’ is something like10°C/50°F – 22°C/71.6°F, and anything above 25°C/77°F makes me feel as if my brain is melting… And, as I burn easily, I really need to protect my skin from the sun, too. But, if it’s hot, I don’t like clothes. Correction: if it’s hot enough, I don’t give a damn about what I’m wearing, that’s how uncomfortable I get. And at 30°C/86°F, as when these pictures were taken… the ice bucket challenge suddenly seems like a brilliant idea.
Dressing for hot weather is always a compromise. I don’t want to sacrifice style, but comfort always comes first. That doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. This is how my reasoning goes:
I want to wear as little as possible, just one piece. Absolutely no layers. And I want to keep my skin covered. Nothing tight. Correction: nothing that even touches my skin: I want something loose that doesn’t make me feel sweaty and sticky. I hate shapeless sack dresses…
So, a summer heat wave is a sartorial nightmare (not to mention how irritable and uncomfortable it makes me), and a travel wardrobe for a hot climate can be quite a challenge. But I do have a few tricks up my sleeve, and this is how I put them into use during my recent trip to Barcelona.
SUN PROTECTION
I hate sunscreen, it smells revolting and makes me feel sticky… And I admit that I don’t wear it all the time. Yes, that’s right: this pale-skinned girl sometimes goes bare-faced… under a sun umbrella (to be featured in part 2). And I like long sleeves to cover my arms, too.
Enter this lovely silk cocoon cape. The fabric is thick enough to actually provide some protection (who wears those ridiculous transparent chiffon capes, anyway???). I suppose a kaftan would do the trick, too, but they always make me look more like Edina Monsoon (the chubby, frizzy-haired one in Absolutely Fabulous) than Elizabeth Taylor, so I’ll pass… Of course, the cape is real silk. And of course it’s washable.
KEEP IT SIMPLE
Boho, hippie, flowerchild: tons of jewellery piled up, thick belts and fringes… Err, no thanks.
As much as I like this look on other people, it just doesn’t work for me. Yes, it’s the Edina Monsoon effect again (hippie style looks better on someone slimmer and taller than me), but I also prefer my clothes a bit more streamlined. And since my unruly hair sort of provides that carefree hippie-chick element anyway (whether I want it or not), I prefer to keep the outfit looking a bit more polished. As curly hair tends to get totally out of control in hot weather, the outfit is the only part of my look that I seem to have any control over…
And chunky jewellery… it looks so nice, but it’s really uncomfortable when it’s hot… Now, I do love a nice statement necklace, but for me summer is the time to embrace minimalism.
And belts… When I’m already sweaty and uncomfortable, the last thing I want is something tight around my waist making me even more sweaty and uncomfortable.
The more I think about it, maybe I should just sit the hot weather out, in a refrigerator… But as that is not an option, what I’m wearing here is a reasonable compromise…
I’m wearing:
cocoon cape: Jigsaw / trousers: Marks and Spencer (old) / green t-shirt: Ann Taylor (old) / embroidered vest: Custo Barcelona (old) / shoes: Clarks / sunglasses: Tom Ford (old) /
necklace and bangle: Kenneth Jay Lane / bags: Michael Kors
What do you wear when it’s hot?
Tiina
FOLLOW:
PS: the crossbody mini bag is a good way to keep your valuables safe; Barcelona is the pickpockets’ paradise…
Linking up with:
High Latitude Style, Sydney Fashion Hunter, The Pleated Poppy, Style Elixir, Get Your Pretty On, Happiness at Mid-Life, A Labour of Life, Doused in Pink, Curly Crafty Mom, Fashion Should Be Fun, Rachel the Hat
You look great! I love the color of that top on you too -xxShaunawww.lipglossandlace.net
Thanks, Shauna!
What a fantastic cape! Love both of these travel outfits!JillDoused In Pink
Thanks, Jill! More travel outfits next week…
Your cocoon cape is a beauty! I hear you. I'm not a fan of heat either, and Summer is always the least inspiring season in terms of style for me. I was just thinking about it yesterday on the beach – and decided to make a difference this year. I'll be writing about it in my blog, of course. 🙂 But in two words – dresses and skirts. Mostly maxi, but not only. We are lucky though to live in a climate that does not get too hot. I used to live in climates where it gets 100 F (38 C) and higher in Summer (even where I lived in Siberia). Hot and sticky, for months and months. I wore light sundresses, linen, cotton a lot, chiffon as well. I will see what I come up with this year, but I've decided it will be fun.
Thanks, Natalia! Oh yes, summer dressing is a challenge… especially if a heat wave occurs in early summer (you know what I mean: in Finland the almost around the clock sunlight turns the flat into a sauna, there's no escape from the hot weather…) Now I spend a lot of time in Britain in summer, and the weather can be very unpredictable…
I love this piece you wear like coat, I really do not know how to define it. I love the design so original, and stamping.
Thanks! It's called a cocoon cape, it's sort of a cross between a kimono and a cape, I guess…
That cape looks great on you and its a great color, looks like it would go with a lot of different tops underneath!Carriecurlycraftymom.com
Thanks, Carrie! I'm trying to find new ways to wear it because I really like it, it's quite a dramatic piece.
I was nodding vigourously in agreement throughout your post, as I'm exactly the same! I melt in heat too and I can't bear the smell and feel of suncream either. I've also had too many clothes get stained and ruined from suncream. And I'm a no to the boo hoo look. Looks utterly ridiculous on me!I think your solution of the silk cape is great and wonderful that it's washable. I'm all for washable! In the past I've toyed with the idea of using a parasol but a) difficult to take on planes, if flying to destinations and b) it's another item to have to carry around with you. I just drape light pashminas around my shoulders and that seems to work. This season though, I've bought a couple of light kimonos so am hoping they, like your cape, give me another alternative.The cape is a stunning print. http://petitesilvervixen.blogspot.co.uk/
I know, suncreen ruins nice clothes… I always want to wash it off immediately after putting it on, it's disgusting. I have a folding parasol, so it's easier to carry and pack in a suitcase. I will feature it in a post next week and will include the info on where to get it.
Thanks, that'd be great if you would. I love the idea of a folding parasol.
I too dislike it when it is too hot outside. Plus I get sunstroke very easily. I'm never without a hat or sunscreen. I love the cape idea.bisousSuzanne
Oh yes, sunstrokes… been there. A hat would be nice, but my hair is too big (seriously, the hat sort of sits on top my hair, it looks weird).
I live in cute sundresses in the summer! Thanks for linking up for Passion4Fashion 🙂
Thanks, Lena! Yes, sundresses are great, I love them, too.
Thanks 4 linking up to Top of the World Style. This jacket is very interesting and stylish
Thanks, Nicole!
I prefer my weather cooler too. Nothing over 80! Loving the purple graphic tee and the cape/kimono looks like a great summer option.Thanks for being a part of Fun Fashion Friday!OXOXDawn Lucyhttp://fashionshouldbefun.blogspot.com
Thanks!
I am not a fan of the heat either though I live in such a sunny warm weather place. I typically live in maxi dresses and big floppy hats in the summer. Love your fun wrap!Thank you for joining TBT Fashion link up and hope to see you next week. Alicewww.happinessatmidlife.com
Thanks! Oh hats, I wish I could make them work for me…