When it comes to what to wear in the heat, you aren't alone, if the weather is about 26 degrees strikes a little bit of fear. It's quite British to moan about the temperature, regardless of whether it's sunny or rainy, but getting dressed in sweltering hot days is, in my opinion, harder than dressing for icy temps.
Dressing for hot weather requires careful planning, but ultimately the key to successful summer styling is using the right silhouettes and fabrics to manage your microclimate. Opting for more relaxed silhouettes will help to keep airflow to your skin, while choosing natural fibres, such as cotton or linen, will also help with breathability.
But this isn't about style over substance. If you're wondering what should I wear today as soon as the whisper of a heatwave is coming, then making sure your summer capsule wardrobe has a great selection of cotton tees, linen dresses or separates, and slightly airier shapes will help you feel and look cool.
What to wear in the heat: Fashion editor-approved style ideas to keep you cool
As someone who truly dreads seeing high temperatures incoming, I've had to work hard on staying cool, whilst remaining chic. I've rounded up key styles and silhouettes that will help you feel a little breezier, for all those moments where clothes actually have to go on.
1. Dresses to wear in the heat
The best summer dresses are a must when you're trying to beat the heat. Think the breeziest shapes - such as A-line or trapeze silhouettes that allow for plenty of airflow.
As with every item in this piece, you'll want to look for natural fabrics, such as the best linen dresses, or cotton iterations (but not silk - as this stains with water and sweat easily) to keep you breezy as temperatures soar. While black dresses might be your preference most of the year, in hot weather, you're better off in lighter and brighter hues, as these absorb the sun less than black.
Relaxed fits will allow for air flow and stop you feeling trapped and clammy, with sleeves offering upper arm coverage and added sun protection. Look for designs that flare out over your lower torso - not only will they be most comfortable in hot weather, but they're also universally flattering.
If you're worried about thigh rub as temperatures go up, I understand, but a dress will still be one of the coolest options - think of the air flow. Try a pair of the best anti-chafing shorts (in a breathable fabric) under your dress to help protect your thighs without compromising on the rest of your outfit.
If you're the kind of woman who wears black, regardless of the sunshine, then this pure cotton dress is worth snapping up. Breathable thanks to the natural fabric, the fuller skirt shape ensures you'll feel easy breezy, too. The V-neck, defined waist and ruching across the bust is incredibly flattering for all shapes and sizes.
British clothing brand, Boden, makes great dresses that are ready to tackle any rise in temperatures. Crafted from 100% linen, this sweet shirt dress has a smart but breathable feel that's ideal for hot weather. Team with sandals or your best white trainers. This is smart enough for the office, or casual wear, and comes in several colourways.
Whether you're lounging in the garden or heading out and about, this great dress, with straps wide enough that you can still wear a bra, has a wide hemline for extra airiness during hot weather. This gorgeous rust hue is great for warmer climes, but it also comes in a selection of prints and a neutral navy. Team with a denim jacket, or a cotton cardigan if you want extra coverage.
2. Tops to wear in the heat
Once again, cotton, linen and other natural fabrications are your warm-weather heroes when it comes to tops. From the best t-shirts to great shirts - natural fabric iterations will offer greater breathability that you'll welcome in a heat wave.
When it comes to t-shirts, fitted designs (a little added jersey for contour is fine) will still be comfortable in rising temperatures, but more relaxed silhouettes do allow for added airflow.
For the best shirts, try 100% cotton or linen shirt styles, which, as previously mentioned, will help to keep you cool, and picking more oversized iterations will be more comfortable for a full day out and about.
While silk is a natural fabric, when it comes to what to wear in hot weather, it's not always the best option. Silk marks easily, and degrades with heat and perspiration, meaning that sweat marks are likely to show and will leave a stain on the garment - and no one wants that.
A great staple to see you through the summer months, stock up on 100% cotton t-shirts in a selection of colours to help underpin more statement skirts and trousers in your wardrobe. This design has a slightly oversized and longer sleeve offers the perfect balance between coverage and breathability. Tuck in your top to highlight your waist.
A white shirt is a classic summer piece, and this staple with added design elements is worth taking note of. The frilled collar and cuffs add a prettier finish, without compromising on that timeless shirt silhouette through the body. Wear for casual moments with jeans, or use it to elevate tailored trousers or A-line midi skirts all summer long.
Nothing quite beats a classic linen shirt, and this relaxed white iteration is a wardrobe staple you will reach for time and time again in hot weather. When it comes to how to wear a linen shirt for the office, pair this classic design with the best white jeans, and a blazer, or some wide-leg linen trousers, to minimise that sticky mid-afternoon feeling.
3. Skirts to wear in the heat
Less isn't necessarily more when it comes to what to wear in the heat. So while wearing a mini skirt might feel like the ideal choice for climbing temperatures, you might be better off donning a long skirt outfit or a midi instead. The additional length offers extra coverage and shade (keeping you a little cooler in the process), while selecting more A-line or circular skirt shapes will help with maximising airflow, which will naturally help with beating the heat.
Skirts are of course, more airy than trousers, but wider silhouettes and breathable fabrics will still keep you cooler than, say, a synthetic slip skirt - although these aren't totally off the table if that's your preferred shape, just maybe reserve these for outfits in the cooler part of warm, say 25 degrees - it's all relative, right?
As with all of the best hot-weather clothing, avoid synthetic fabrics, which can leave you feeling extra warm and sticky.
I can't believe this skirt is just £36. With designer-level print detailing, this beautiful, tennis-inspired midi skirt is a summer wardrobe hero. Crafted from cotton, it's breathable with bags of style and can easily be dressed up or down throughout the warm weather. Team with a top and a blazer for more formal moments, or try tucking in a shirt, or simply add a graphic tee for a casual spin.
Animal print is a staple regardless of season, and this swishy, pleated design is an absolute style steal. Even if it isn't in breathable fabrics, thanks to its light fabric and fuller shape, you'll still find it breezy enough in the hot weather, and a skirt like this is so easy to style. Just add trainers or ballet flats and a simple tee, and you've got a contemporary look.
Looking to put together smart casual outfits? The humble linen skirt is a wardrobe must-have for the summer months, and makes a great alternative to dresses if you need a different size on top than on your lower torso, but still want that feminine spin. This chocolate brown hue is a fantastic switch out for brown, and it will pair beautifully with other neutrals.
4. Trousers & shorts to wear in the heat
While fabric is important here, you will also want to consider the weight of the fabric. Plenty of the best jeans are made from 100% cotton, but in a heatwave, denim is far too heavy, despite its fabric composition. Opt for lighter fabrics, in more relaxed fits to help increase airflow, and with wide leg trousers still being a key summer silhouette, there are some great options available.
When it comes to shorts, while Daisy Dukes might feel seasonally appropriate, looser, straighter cut Bermuda shorts will be more comfortable in hot weather.
If you're looking for summer outfits for work, opt for tailored trousers in neutral hues and natural fabrications. Swap skinny fits, for high-waisted, wide-leg styles for a torso lengthening look that will keep you feeling professional without overheating - team with silky cotton t-shirts, or light cotton blouses.
Linen is a great fabric option for trousers, although be aware it creases pretty badly, particularly around the crotch area once you've sat down, so you may want to look for a linen-blend that will crease less dramatically - or wear a longer, tunic-style top over them. If you're wondering how to wear linen trousers for work, opt for a slightly more tailored fit and keep your top half neat and relatively contoured.
Elasticated waists are also more comfortable in hot weather as they're less constricting and give you that little bit more breathing room in sweltering heat.
Culottes are big news this season, and when it comes to basics, Uniqlo are hard to beat. The just-above-the-ankle cut makes them ideal for wearing with sandals and low-profile trainers. Crafted from cotton, the breathable box is ticked, and the brown colourway (they are available in black too) feels lighter for summer weather and will work well with gold jewellery and a white top.
Tailored enough for the office, paired with smart sandals, a shirt and a belt, they can be reworked for beachside climes with a t-shirt or floaty top later in the season. In a classic navy colourway, these gorgeous linen trousers from M&S are just £46, which feels like a style steal for a natural fabric design, and because they're from M&S, you know the fit will be great.
Offering a slightly more contemporary spin on trouser shapes, this relaxed, cuff-bottom design gives a gentle nod to trending balloon silhouettes, but still feels very wearable. With a drawstring waist for comfort, the ankle-baring design is ideal for teaming with trainers or sandals, and the handy pockets and sporty styling keep this pair very contemporary.
5. Shoes to wear in the heat
When it comes to shoes to wear in the heat, open-toe shoes or your best sandals are an obvious choice. Similarly with clothing, material still plays a role here, with natural cork and leather much better at regulating body temperature than vinyl or plastic designs, which can contribute to sweat build-up, making for a rather uncomfortable experience. If you want to wear closed-toe shoes or trainers, then look for trainers that have mesh panels to help with breathability, and make sure to opt for cotton socks as these will help with airflow.
One of the most comfortable flats you can buy, these grey leather sandals feature the infamous anatomically shaped cork-latex footbed for a really supportive wear. A very elevated colourway, it's quite unusual to see this hue, but it's a great partner to a host of neutral outfits, including navy, brown and white looks.
Superga Cotu are loved by celebrities and royalty alike. This white canvas shoe is lightweight and breathable, perfect for warm weather when you need something a little smarter than open-toed sandals. Worn regularly by Kate Middleton, they're super comfortable too
If you want more of a trending footnote to your summer heat wave buys, then look no further than this pair of M&S rope sandals. This trend-led design will dress up even the most casual looks, but it's still a practical and very affordable purchase.
What not to wear in the heat
Avoid synthetic fabrics in a heatwave as they will trap air and make for a much hotter and sweatier environment. Synthetic fabrics do not allow air to easily pass through, meaning a potential build-up of perspiration - not something any of us want.
Tight fitting clothing will also stop air flowing through your clothes and reaching your skin, so where possible, avoid tailored clothes or anything too bodycon.
Is it better to wear shorts or trousers in the heat
Shorts will expose more of your lower leg, giving greater opportunity for airflow. However, it is largely down to personal preference, as fabric and silhouette of both the trousers and shorts play a key role in how cool or warm they are.
It is best to avoid tight-fitting clothing and heavy or synthetic fabrics. While jeans are made from cotton, due to their weight, they are best avoided in hot weather. On that basis, while denim shorts are associated with summer, they could end up being warmer than a pair of linen palazzo trousers.
When choosing between shorts or long leg trousers, regardless of length, look for breezy, looser fits and light and breathable fabrics to stay as cool as possible.
