In Northern European countries, summer can be difficult to cope with. The climate is regularly so cool that countries comfortably equipped for rain, and long, cold winters can find it difficult to cope in the heat of a high summer. This holds true on every level from governmental infrastructure down to personal culture. If you’ve been on holiday to Greece, Italy or Turkey, you’ll notice that houses are constructed to keep cool: with lots of open spaces to encourage a refreshing breeze and cool tiles underfoot. A house in the UK constructed along the same lines would be intolerable to live in for the majority of the year.
Similarly, you may have a wardrobe that’s ready to face every kind of weather, from rain and snow, to the clear, cool days of spring, and even warm June afternoons. If the temperature really spikes – as it did last July, in a record breaking heatwave that lasted most of the month – then your wardrobe may not be up to the task!
Today we’re takin a look at the key clothes you should invest in to keep cool when the weather gets hot.
Materials
‘Breathable’ is the key word to look out for here. Breathable fabrics help to keep you cool and ventilated and stop your body feeling too clammy and sweaty. Look for high cotton and linen, especially if a formal dress code is dictating you wear a substantial outfit than you want to, given the heat.
Even cashmere can be a good choice: high quality is very light and breathable, and a women’s cashmere sweater can be a great addition to your wardrobe as hot summer days become cooler summer evenings.
Key Garments
A two piece is a great choice for your heatwave wardrobe – it keeps your skin covered, minimising the risk of sunburn, but is light and well ventilated, keeping you comfortable even as the mercury climbs!
A sundress is another great choice, light and breathable, and with the potentially to be dressy or playful depending on your needs!
Taking Care
You’ll probably be showing more skin than usual in an attempt to keep cool, despite the scorching temperatures so make sure sunscreen becomes a part of your morning routine! You don’t just need a high SPF (in excess of 30) – you also need to look for the star rating. A four or five star mark indicates it will block UVA radiation as well and provide the broad spectrum protection you need.