What do you wear when it's hot?

WHAT TO WEAR IN HOT WEATHER?

HOT HOT HOT

It surely hasn’t escaped your notice lately: it’s summer. A genuine Dutch summer, as unpredictable as—a metaphor within a metaphor :-)—a Dutch summer. Especially in recent years, don’t underestimate global warming, there have been some insanely hot spells. Man, how hot can it get. Just when you thought you had your summer wardrobe pretty much sorted out, it turns out it really isn’t up to the task. Time for a little research: what’s the best thing to wear (or avoid wearing) to stay cool and face the summer heat with dignity?

THE HEAT IS ON

Our bodies are actually always working to maintain a constant temperature. The “neutral setting” of our built-in thermostat is 37°C; at that temperature, the body functions at its best. If the ambient temperature is lower, the system kicks in and automatically optimizes the temperature. You hardly notice it and don’t have to do much; just add a little fuel now and then (i.e., food), throw on a light layer of clothing for insulation, and Bob’s your uncle.

At an ambient temperature of around 20 to 25°C, that layer of clothing actually becomes unnecessary; the boiler and the thermostat can handle it just fine on their own. So the fact that you wear clothes when the ambient temperature exceeds the 20–25°C threshold is mainly dictated by social norms. Plus: it offers protection from the sun—in terms of UV radiation, that is; in terms of how warm you feel, it usually backfires.

Anyway, being the socially responsible beings that we are, we’d rather wear clothing anyway ;-). But how do we do that in a way that’s heat-proof yet still somewhat stylish? There are plenty of tips and tricks online. We’ve filtered out the most relevant and practical ones for you and supplemented them with our own insights.

WATER MANAGEMENT

No matter how thin the garment you put on, it’s a waste of effort if you choose the wrong fabric. That’s because most natural materials regulate moisture much better than (some, not all) synthetic fabrics. Anyone who’s ever frantically tried to blot a spill of wine off the couch with the first fleece blanket they could find knows exactly what we’re talking about. And moisture is in abundance during a heat wave: sweating is your body’s way of cooling you down faster. Soemthing that you—fully clothed and smelling absolutely wonderful—could do without. So let’s get rid of that moisture, and quickly, please.

Fabrics that absorb moisture and also wick it away (away from your body) are therefore the best option. Cotton, viscose, silk, linen, and even wool are great at this. But new-generation synthetics like “quick-dry” fabrics also perform well; special membranes in the artificially spun “fibers” absorb and wick away moisture quickly and effectively.

LOOSE & BREATHABLE

Imagine: it’s tropically hot, and you’re wearing a cotton shirt. Heat- and moisture-regulating fabric—check. Smart girl, so you’re prepared. Then why do you still feel like you’re trapped in a sweltering cocoon? And can you see your silhouette outlined in ton-sur-ton sweat on your trendy, form-fitting . . . aha . . . got it.

Tight clothes are a no-go when it’s hot enough to make girl swoon. Because moisture-wicking fabric should:

• point a: Create the opportunity for moisture to evaporate, and
• point b: Evaporation happens fastest when you’re ventilated, and for effective airflow, you need space between your body and your clothes.

Simple. You really don’t have to dress in baggy, oversized rags, but a slightly roomier cut is definitely more effective. If your clothing is also made from a lightweight fabric—one that’s woven or knitted from yarn with an open fiber structure—then you’re doubly set. Seems clear?

A quick note: colour is of secondary importance. “They” say that black absorbs heat and white reflects it. The pros and cons of this have since been debunked by science; measurements taken under the clothing of Bedouins in the Sahara show little to no temperature difference between light-coloured and dark-coloured clothing. So summer darks are perfectly fine...

THE NAKED TRUTH

Anyone even slightly familiar with the “wrong side” of British dress codes will surely recognize this: as soon as the temperature in the UK rises even a little toward 10°C, all hell breaks loose and skirt lengths shoot up. Okay, the poor gals are so used to freezing weather that they already find a milder winter day to be bloody hot, but the urge to show some skin sometimes goes hilariously overboard. And yes, the Dutch are sometimes guilty of this, too; on an average warm day, you regularly have to weave your way around the beer-bellied, grubby-shirted, flip-flop-wearing dudes with your shopping cart at the supermarket. And there’s a point to be made: bare arms and legs stay pleasantly cool.

But there are also downsides. You’ll get sunburned faster, and insects have free rein. If you’re in the tropics, covering up is a sensible option for that reason, among others. Because despite malaria pills and DEET, prevention is better than cure. But if you’re just in the Netherlands and a single sleepy wasp is your biggest risk factor, then you can safely dress a bit more “revealingly.”

Are your pants sticking to your thighs because of the heat? Opt for a skirt—that way, there’s still a bit of a breeze down there. There’s one “but,” though: the “sticky thighs” (Ladies with a“thigh gap”—take a quick break and read something else). There’s a solution: shorts. And no, not those seamless synthetic ones in this case, but a fresh pair of cotton ones. Don’t have any in your closet, and don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on them? Invest in a pair of cycling shorts (short leggings) and you’ll instantly be on trend this season. Okay, you might sweat more than with bare thighs, but you’ll sweat in style—and you’ll avoid diaper rash.

The best skirt tip for Dutch cyclists: clip a lightweight tablecloth-like fabric to the center front of your skirt hem, and your skirt won’t blow up. But be careful—if the wind is too strong, you risk getting a bump on your forehead :-).

Are you a fan of halter tops (hello, sun-kissed shoulders) but bothered by visible bra straps, and don’t have a special halter bra in your closet? You can easily transform a bra with removable straps: hook the left strap through the right loop and vice versa. Ta-da! Crossed back straps in a halter style.

Croptops. Tricky. Yes, because a bare midriff = nice and breezy. No, because a tight fit messes with your sweat management, and a loose fit risks unwanted peeks (hello nipple-gate). That said, they look gorgeous with high-waisted pants. And guess what—that’s totally back in style. In short: we’re not quite sure yet, but it’s a really good option.

If you want to keep your head completely cool: wear a hat. And no, not that farmer’s handkerchief with four knots that your mom made you wear when you were still too young to have an opinion of your own (Mom, you’re the sweetest, but What, Where. You. Thinking…) A stylish wide-brimmed straw hat is always a good option. Want to try something different? Then go for a turban. Totally on-trend these days and with a wonderfully glamorous old-school Riviera vibe. Secretly wetting it before wrapping it around your head is a smart idea. Hiding a frozen chicken breast in the drape is a . . . that’s right, bad idea.

Loose-fit dresses; yes!!! Totally on-trend and the perfect garment for warm weather because there’s minimal skin contact. No sticking and foolproof—what more could you want?

A LIGHT-HEARTED LIST

No self-respecting blog post is complete without a list, so we’ve summarized the information above in bullet points for your convenience.

• Wear clothing made from fabrics that wick moisture well, such as cotton, linen, viscose, wool, silk, and some synthetics developed specifically for this purpose.
• Opt for items with a looser fit so air can circulate freely. Preferably, choose lightweight fabrics made from loose-fiber yarn for double the benefits.
• Colour isn’t a deciding factor; both light and dark colours are suitable as long as the previously described guidelines regarding composition and weight are followed.
• Exposed skin is fine—moderation is key. A long, loose-fitting sleeve works just as well as a short sleeve—and also protects against insects and harmful radiation.
• And always wear sunscreen......

We wish you a wonderfully cool summer!