The Uniqlo Airism range is one that's been recommended to me several times now. My fellow Fashion Editor Matilda Stanley raved about this cotton T- shirt dress last summer, and my husband recently threw away all the T-shirts in his wardrobe in favour of Uniqlo's sweat-wicking white tee.
Foolishly, I didn't think I needed heatwave-friendly dresses before now. After all, hot days are few and far between in this country, right...?
Luckily, the bestselling Uniqlo Ultra Stretch Airism dress is still in stock in spite of the 35-degree temperatures, and it's the best £25 I'm going to spend this week. Not only is the fabric very stretchy, making it one of the most stylish summer dresses to hide a tummy, but it's also made from an innovative sweat-wicking fabric to help keep you cool. And it really does work. The simple sleeveless shape is super flattering, and it can be styled up with gold jewellery or down with your best white trainers, depending on the occasion.
I particularly love the chocolate brown option, but it's also available in five other colours, including classic black and butter yellow. It's got pockets (hallelujah!), plus I know from my husband's Uniqlo Airism obsession that this fabric pretty much refuses to crease when you're out and about or after going through the washing machine. I know, it sounds almost too good to be true!
Struggling to decide what to wear in a heatwave? This minimalist dress will be your summer saviour. It's available in sizes XXS to XL, plus the fit and flare silhouette is flattering for all body shapes. It's not lined so it's very lightweight, which is perfect for these soaring temperatures.
What is Uniqlo Airism?
The Uniqlo website explains why the innovative Airism range is such a popular choice for the summer months: "The special material which is made of ultra-thin fibers absorb and emit water vapor from your body. The first-class moisture absorption and desorption mitigate sweaty feelings and heats inside clothes."
The Airism range includes underwear, pyjamas and even shapewear.
You don't just have to take my word for it. The customer reviews on this dress are plentiful and overwhelmingly positive. One wrote: "Compared to a standard cotton dress, I definitely didn’t overheat as much. The drape and shape are beautiful, and the length is ideal - neither too long nor too short. It’s very versatile and can be dressed up or down easily, making it a real wardrobe staple. A big bonus is that it doesn’t crease after washing, so I can wear it straight once dry. It has quickly become my go-to dress."
Another urged people to "Buy this dress for the heatwave", and another called it "lightweight and comfortable for all ages".
One review reads: "As a 70-year-old woman I feel great in it. Easy to dress up or down so ideal for travel. Just wish I had got more colours," and yet another happy customer called it "indispensable".
Shop more Uniqlo heatwave essentials
Not content with their genius Airism collection, Uniqlo also offers a line of UV-protected clothing. These wide-leg trousers would look so chic paired with a simple camisole or T-shirt, but hurry because in this weather they're likely to sell out.
I've been looking for a breezy white skirt for summer and this one fits the bill perfectly. A stylish alternative to jeans for the hot weather, this one is 100% cotton, and it's got pockets.
Fearne Cotton recently declared bras should be banned in the summer months, and I can see where she's coming from. Who wants to be wearing underwire in a heatwave? Enter this two-in-one top, which has built-in support in that all-important Airism fabric.
Linen is a must in the summer months, and these have got an adjustable waistband and a relaxed fit. When I'm not wearing my Airism dress, you'll find me in these.
Another top-rated heatwave hero, one reviewer noted how great the coverage of this top is, so you can still happily wear your best bra underneath without it showing.
I struggle to find hats I like to wear in the heat, but this machine-washable option is perfect for packing in your holiday suitcase. There are three colour options, and it's got UV protection for extra safety.
