Hot Weather Smart Casual

Heatwave-proof smart casual…

OK, this is the challenge: what should I wear to a semi-casual business dinner in a rather relaxed, casual restaurant?  Semi-casual because it’s not really a business dinner; just a dinner with hubby’s business associate and his wife. Very nice people that I’ve only met once before, but as my task on this occasion is to play the role of ‘Professor’s Wife’, I should probably try to make a good impression.

No, making a good impression does not mean keeping my mouth shut and my opinions to myself. My husband knows that’s never going to happen: his wife is a bit of a loose cannon, and he’s fine with that (actually, between you and me, I think he sort of likes it).

I don’t often accompany my husband on work-related events (that’s my choice, and it’s actually quite easy as we usually spend most weekdays in different countries). But I have to put in an appearance every now and then, otherwise his colleagues start thinking I’m just a figment of his imagination…

Anyway… Something smart casual is probably what I should be aiming for. But how do you do smart casual in soaring temperatures?

I always struggle with hot weather outfits

Well, given that my default strategy is to stay indoors when it gets too hot for my liking, this is hardly a surprise. And yes, I realise that this is my preferred strategy when it gets too cold for my liking, too… I guess I’m just not a fan of extreme temperatures, and will happily stay in climate-controlled rooms when the temperature gets out of my personal comfort zone.

Right, I think I should define ‘too hot’ as it probably means different things to different people. So, for the record, +20ºC (68ºF) is perfect summer temperature, not too cold and not too hot. And anything over +25ºC (77ºF) is way too hot (and if it gets over +30ºC / 86ºF, I’ll be living in my fridge…). And yes, it does get hot in Finland, too, though seldom over +25ºC.

These pictures were taken near our house in England, though, on a very warm day. And  I know that everybody is supposed to  be over the moon because it’s hot and sunny and not raining for once. But hot weather makes me feel uncomfortable, sweaty and exhausted. And I have nothing to wear. Well, nothing that would make me feel a bit less uncomfortable, sweaty and exhausted, anyway.

When it’s hot, I can’t stand anything tight or fitted. And definitely no big jewellery, or belts! Oh no, a belt is the absolute worst thing to wear on a hot day. In fact, I would just like to wear something loose, with nothing touching my skin. Or a bucket of ice on my head, that might work, too. But I don’t think that’s a good look.

However, I decided to try something different here: an outfit that looks somewhat streamlined but is actually very comfortable and light as a feather. The linen t-shirt and viscose and silk mix crinkled maxi skirt might even become a new summer favourite.

Besides, this combo would be perfect for a holiday. The crinkled skirt takes no room at all in the suitcase, can be washed and doesn’t need ironing (just wring it and let it dry). The only drawback is that it’s a bit see-through if you have the sun behind your back (see the first picture), but I can live with that. Normally I’m not a fan of see-through clothing, so it must be the hot weather messing with my head…

Outfit details:

skirt: Grizas / t-shirt: Caroll (old) / shoes: Clarks (old) /

bag: Adolfo Dominguez (old) /sunglasses: Prada

What’s your favourite hot weather outfit?

Tiina

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