Dressing For The Heat

When hot weather comes, I reach for a hat.

A hat is the most essential part of any hot weather look since I can't look my best with dripping hair plastered to my head.

I am wearing a packable hat, which is several years old from Betmar.

Tips for wearing hats: I always need to choose a hat with a high crown and a wider brim. Hats that fit close to the head, such as ball caps and cloche style hats, do not flatter my roundish face. A woman who has a long thin face and neck would look great in a cloche style.

The brim of your hat should not exceed the width of your shoulders.

The hat should rest comfortably on your forehead with no bangs showing, not on the back of your head. I comb my bangs back with my fingers, put on the hat, and then brush the lower part of my hair toward the front with my hands.

Ladies do not remove their hats while dining, but a gentleman should always remove theirs and place them on an empty chair (never on the table.)

Loose-fitting light-colored clothing that flows across my body is also most comfortable in hot weather. I rarely wear a sleeveless top, but when the temperature rises to 100 degrees, it is time to reach for my most minimal clothing and sunscreen.

These palazzo-style pants are old by Clara Sunwoo, and I found them at ShopMyFairLady.com. If you buy Clara Sunwoo pants, you would be wise to go down in size. They do run large. I am wearing an extra small here.

The BCBGMAXAZRIA draped blouson top is made from lighter than air layers of almost sheer fabric. It is from Saks Off 5th. I am wearing a size medium.

I love to wear a draped surplice top because it hides the jiggly bits. If I wear a jacket, I layer it over a much more fitted tank. There is something to be said for balancing the visual weight of the pieces you layer.

This look would also be great using a loose-fitting maxi dress or a sundress with flat sandals. I am wearing old black platform sandals by Charles Jordan here. The wicker bag is from J.McLaughlin.

Sunglasses are another essential element of this look since I am not wearing makeup other than a bold red lip. The sunglasses are by Dolce and Gabbana.

Makeup running down my face or smudged around my eyes is not a good look. On days when I know I will be mostly out in the heat, I skip the other makeup and just go for red lips.

I color in my whole lip with a lip liner, then add a layer of lip color. Next, I blot and reapply the color, then blot again. The idea is to stain my lips rather than have the color sliding around and creeping into lines and creases.

Hats make a bold statement, so sunglasses are the only other element near my face. Earrings, a necklace, sunglasses, and a fancy hat all worn together looks a bit too eccentric. I also like for my hats to be unadorned and almost masculine in style.

Confidence is the best accessory!