A Fashionista’s Guide to Staying Cool (and on Trend) This Summer

Staying cool and chic during the warmer months doesn’t need to be complicated.

The rise in temperature, longer days and warmer nights often mean more social events and weekend trips to exciting new places. Of course, all of these summer events that you’re currently planning will require new outfit choices. And, if you’re as excited as we are to invest in some brand-new, seasonal fashion items to get you through the hottest time of year, keep reading.

After talking with a handful of professional fashion stylists, as well as our favorite personal shopper in Sydney, we’ve put together four summer fashion tips that should make shopping for the perfect summer pieces a breeze.

When it comes to shoes it’s best to ‘size up’

We’ve all been there, you see a pair of stunning summer sandals that seem to fit you perfectly in store yet, when you come to wear them on a hot summer’s day, they rub and blister your feet. Not only can this be painful, it can really ruin an otherwise enjoyable day.

Your shoes tend to rub your feet more so in warmer weather due to your feet swelling slightly in hotter temperatures. This is definitely worth knowing when it comes to investing in new shoes for summer. To stop the risk of your shoes ruining your day, simply opt for a size that is slightly bigger than usual.

If you’re buying shoes made of a natural material such as leather or suede a mere half size will probably be sufficient. Natural materials can stretch out slightly the more you wear them, so be sure to test drive new shoes made from such materials before you risk a full day out. For man-made materials, we would recommend going a full size larger than what you would usually wear.

Carefully consider fabrics

Everyone loves a bargain, however, when it comes to buying clothing that will keep you cool throughout the day, it’s often best to invest in breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. Sure, that $15 floaty top looks great for the price, but chances are it will be made from a poly-blend that will leave you feeling sticky, stuffy and could be prone to holding onto unflattering sweat patches.

The hollow fibers that make up natural fabrics such as linen, cotton and even silk quickly absorb moisture and release it quickly. This will ensure you stay cool, even on the steamiest days of the year. 

Reinvent your current clothing

Instead of rushing to your favorite shop frantically searching for new items, why not consider what’s already in your wardrobe? Utilizing your local tailor or even experimenting with DIY ways of reinventing old clothes could be your answer to the perfect summer wardrobe.

A professional tailor will often be able to quickly transform an older item of clothing into something that feels more current and on trend (and often for a cheaper price than buying a new item). For example, that old midi dress you loved that year but feel you wore a tad too much? This could be transformed into an easy, breezy mini dress perfect for a trip to the beach.

A hat is always a good idea

A stylish hat is a perfect accessory for summer and we believe that anyone who doesn’t own at least one just hasn’t found the right one yet! Not only do hats complete an outfit but they also provide protection from the harsh UV rays.

For a relaxed look that’s ideal for summer, try a wide brim, straw fedora style hat that will keep your face, head and shoulders shaded throughout the day.

Hopefully, these four simple tips listed above will make finding your summer wardrobe easier and a little less stressful.

*This article was contributed.