Staying Cool and Stylish this Summer

By Matte Laurel-Zalko

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I couldn’t agree more when the great late Ella Fitzgerald sang “Summertime and the livin’ is easy.” Indeed, she summed it up best! The days are longer and the climate is both brighter and warmer. Summertime means more time for outdoor activities and whether it’s going hiking with your friends, lazing at the beach, going kayaking, or going for a picnic at the park, it’s always fun to soak in all that the season brings. 

Summer is not only confined to outdoor activities and explorations, it is also about enjoying warm evenings over a glass of sparkling champagne or a glass of fruity sangria, under a starry moonlit sky while a band plays upbeat music. Summertime is a season for abundance, renewal and observing the summer solstice with various traditions and celebrations. 

Whatever it is we do, one must always keep it cool and stylish during summer! Your wardrobe during summer mustn’t be confined to beach attires or shorts and t-shirts. You can still dress classy in hot weather, and take your summer look up to the next level! Even when you feel like melting under the sweltering heat, you can still look poised and fashionable! Fortunately, there are quite a number of different tips and tricks on how to look chic and sophisticated during summer:

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CHOOSE LOOSE CLOTHING (WEAR A DRESS). By choosing loose silhouettes, you are dressing for comfort. Think of long and flowing sundresses. Think of colourful kaftans. Think of long maxi dresses with floral prints. Maxi dresses are not only loose and comfortable but they are also flattering to all types of body shapes. If you’re petite, wearing long maxi dresses can help elongate your shape and help create the illusion of height. Loose clothing is both breathable and lightweight allowing more air into your body thus keeping you cool. Loose clothing also allows your skin to breathe.

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CHOOSE NATURAL FABRIC. Choosing the right material or fabric for your summer clothes is essential! Personally, I would go for linen, cotton, and silk as these fabrics are breathable and allow air to circulate freely through your body. Cotton is both absorbent and soft whereas silk is airy and luxurious. Linen is quick-drying and naturally breathable that help regulate body temperature. Whatever fabric you choose, make sure it’s 100 % cotton, 100 % linen, and 100% silk because it does make a huge difference when it comes to the quality of the fabric.

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GO FOR LIGHT AND BRIGHT COLOURS. It is a known fact that when you wear light coloured clothing means you absorb less heat. According to actual science, the four best colours to wear during hot weather are: white, yellow, grey and red as they all have high reflectance. Further, actual science suggests avoiding dark colours such as blue, black and dark green because they absorb light and hold warmth. 

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WEAR HATS! Summertime is a wonderful season to show off your hats! In fact, your summer wardrobe is incomplete without a hat. Not only does it add sophistication to your wardrobe, it actually protects your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Personally, I would opt for a wide-brimmed summer straw hat — this never fails to elevate any outfit! A straw material is breathable and keeps you cool and fashionable at the same time. 

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BALANCE YOUR OUTFIT. This is a rule that guarantees summer chic dressing! Try pairing a maxi skirt with a sleeveless top or go for flirty mini skirts with a more covered top. Balancing your outfit focuses on highlighting your best assets but not everything in one go. There’s nothing more tacky than wearing a short dress with low cleavage and backless! The rule to classic fashion is this: if you’re choosing to show your legs, cover your top. Likewise, if you’re choosing to show a bit of cleavage, cover your legs. If you want to show your sexy back, cover your front and legs! 

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SOFTEN YOUR OUTFITS IN COLOUR POP WITH PRINTS! A splash of colour with prints preferably will always be an elegant look to go for not just during summer but during other seasons too. Choose floral prints in pastel colours. Colour popping has become a standout fashion trend throughout the years that it’s become so much more than a trend but rather a tried and tested fashion choice. 

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INVEST IN CLASSIC WARDROBE STYLES. For me, when it comes to dressing, it’s always safe to go for the classic style. The trick to any seasonal wardrobe is to create a capsule wardrobe that can be repeated throughout the year. For instance, I choose to wear black cigarette pants with black  turtlenecks and riding boots for winter. During summer, I go for simple classic cut dresses and fun rompers paired with ballet flats. Create your wardrobe with this in mind: your clothing must always flatter you and your body type.

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WEAR FASHIONABLE FLATS! During spring and summertime, my favourite go-to shoes are ballet flats. I just love its classic and elegant look. A high quality ballet flat can be paired with any type of clothing. Personally, I am crazy over  Ferragamo’s Vara bow ballet flat shoes. It’s a super fashionable take on the classic silhouette with feminine accents and a versatile construction. 

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WEAR NATURAL MAKEUP. Summertime is all about light and natural no makeup look! To achieve this, choose to wear tinted moisturisers instead of heavy foundations. To have that sun-kissed look, invest in a great quality bronzer. Keep your eye makeup a basic neutral or better yet don’t wear any eyeshadow, keep it au natural! If you have to wear a blush on, wear a cream blush to keep your cheeks soft and dewy. Go for brown eyeliners. Stick with lip glosses or coral lipsticks. The less time you spend on putting on makeup, the more natural you look! 

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KEEP YOUR SKIN HEALTHY! To look good anytime of the year, we must keep our skin healthy and clean! For starters, stop smoking! Get enough sleep. Get lots of sleep. Drink alcohol moderately. Drink lots and lots of water. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies . Eat more protein and healthy fats. Exercise regularly. For skincare, cleanse, tone, moisturise, and always wear sunblock. 

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STAY HYDRATED AT ALL TIMES! Drinking lots of water is crucial for so many reasons — it prevents unwanted infections, keeps our body organs functioning properly, keeps our joints lubricated, regulates our body temperature, delivers key nutrients to our cells, helps promote better mood, improves the quality of our sleep and overall wellbeing. Drinking water can help control calories and maintain normal bowel functions. I can go on and on with the many benefits of staying hydrated! 

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HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK IN LIFE. To look good, you must feel good from within. Beauty comes from within. To feel good from within, you must choose to live a positive lifestyle. Start with living a healthier lifestyle. Be open to humour. Laugh more. Start a gratitude journal. Be grateful for everything that you have in life. Be more content. Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Choose your inner circle wisely. Choose to be with positive like minded people. Only you can improve the quality of your life, you are in total control of your life and the choices you make in your life. Choose to be positive! 

With all of the above tips and tricks on how to keep stylish and cool even under the heat, your summertime is always guaranteed to be the best of what might be!