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!

Traveling to Warmer Climates

Are you on your way to a warm-weather vacation or maybe a cruise? When I am lucky enough to head south or out to L.A. during the winter months, this post shows how I pack for the trip.

A shirt that buttons all the way down the front and is generous enough in fit not to gap at the bust when closed is a great find. I love the option of being able to wear a shirt open as if it were a jacket with a whisper-light tank top in summer. This shirt, tank, and pants are all from J.Jill.

The cuff bracelet above is from S.M. Bradford on Hilton Head Island. The sandals were by Dolce Vita via Nordstrom last year. The tote bag was from T.J.Maxx last year. The straw hat is several years old. 

I only look for items of good quality with simple classic details that are not memorable or trendy. I always try to invest well to wear my items for several years instead of just one season. Please note that I have been wearing J.Jill items for several years, so some of the things I am showing you might not be available now.

Denim and white with tan accessories have been a life-long favorite color combination. 

A note about sandals: I look for the type that has a strap at the back so that they stay on. I am not a fan of flip flops of any style. I wear those only on the day I have a pedicure.

These slip-on sneakers are by Sperry. They would be perfect for a day of shopping.

Fit has become much more important to me as my body ages. Sixty is a whole different ballgame than fifty! I now look for tops and jackets that skim the body and fall nicely from my shoulders.

Linen has always been one of my favorite fabrics to wear in the heat of summer. It wrinkles, but as my friend, The Duchess, used to say, "They are rich wrinkles, just go with it."

There aren't many other fabrics that breathe or feel more comfortable in the heat and humidity. Wear a stunning piece of jewelry and awesome shoes with linen for a more polished look.

The video below shows the items I would take for a five-day cruise. You might also take a bathing suit and a cover-up, a sundress or skirts. (I rarely ever wear those items, so in the interest of being totally honest with you, I only included things I would actually take.) 

The key is to take things you can mix and match for different combinations that are appropriate for the occasion. (The same as my wardrobe at home but on a much smaller scale.)

These products were supplied by J.Jill.

Warm Weather Jackets

Isn't it great when you find a jacket that so lightweight you can wear it even on the hottest day and still keep those jiggly bits covered?

When the weather gets warm, I often wear a nice tank top with jeans and a cardigan or jacket in a lightweight fabric.

On this evening out to dinner with friends, I wore dark wash jeans by Fabrizio Gianni. I really like them because they don't lose their shape in a couple of hours. I wore them with a short white denim jacket earlier in the day.

The tank top is by Nikibiki. I bought it at my friend's boutique in Kingsport, TN. If you are local, you might want to stop by there since she has lots of great items, as well as a SPA and hair salon. You can also visit her website at The Charlemont.

The necklace and the jacket are from Chico's earlier this year. You might be able to find both of them on the sale racks now.

The shoes are by Steve Madden.