What to Wear When it’s Too Hot to Think

Well, we’ve officially had our first heat wave in Berlin, so it’s safe to say summer is here.

But a rogue heatwave in Berlin in the summer is just that. Does it feel oppressively hot when they hit? Yes. Is that maybe just the take of an American who hasn’t yet gotten accustomed to no air-conditioning? Also yes. (To be fair, “oppressive” is the word of choice in news headlines as much of Europe is experiencing unusually high temperatures right now.)

More common in Berlin during the summer are days like the one pictured above: seemingly gorgeous and out of nowhere, the sky opens up and unleashes a torrential downpour.

While I’m getting more used to that in my second summer here, summer of the “oppressive heat” variety still feels most like summer to me. So when a client recently asked me for ideas on “how to style yourself when it’s too hot to think,” I knew exactly what she meant.

And I had plenty of ideas.

But before I explain them, let’s start with the fabrics you actually want on your radar—and your skin—this season:

• Linen

• Lightweight cotton

• Silk

• TENCEL™ / Lyocell

Personally, linen is my go-to. Yes, it wrinkles. Whether you choose to iron your linen pieces is your business, but they’ll wrinkle regardless. The wrinkles don’t actually bother me. If they bother yet, maybe shift your perspective; wrinkles are part of summer and how it should feel—relaxed.

For cotton pieces, I’ll reiterate, “lightweight.” Pieces that are too heavy or structured don’t qualify as optimal heat wave attire. I especially love gauze cotton in the summer because it’s breathable, comfortable and versatile. I often size up in gauze button-ups so I can wear them as a swimsuit cover-up. You’ll see these gauze pieces just about everywhere, and the ones I’ve had from J.CREW hold up especially well.

The thought of silk in summer might give you pause, but it’s remarkably breathable. Yes, there’s the risk of sweat marks and the need to dry clean, but washable silk has become more common.

TENCEL™ / Lyocell is technically a semi-synthetic, but it’s soft, breathable and drapes beautifully. It’s a great pick for work because it’s not as relaxed as linen but still cool and comfortable.

If you’re not already wearing these fabrics in the summertime, it’s time to add a few to your collection. It’ll make getting dressed when it’s too hot to think that much easier. Instead of standing in your closet sorting past heavy cotton tees that have you sweating just looking at them, or those sleeveless polyester tops Stitch Fix sent you (and everyone else) 10 years ago, you can easily grab pieces that you know work.

The Simplicity of a Set

It doesn’t get much easier than a set. The thinking is done for you: “wear these two pieces together—voila.”

In addition to the ease of a set, it also offers longevity. You can, of course, break the two pieces apart and wear them with other things in your closet.

One-and-Done Dress

My own summer uniform is almost always a dress, and often in linen. Dress + sandals or dress + sneakers, add your favorite jewelry, grab a cute summer bag, and you’re set. A-line style dresses like this one are so good because you can wear them just as they are—slip them on—or you can add a belt to give your silhouette more shape or add a lightweight blazer for a more professional, polished look.

All-in-One Jumpsuit or Romper

A jumpsuit or romper is another easy pick that is just one piece, so you’re not wondering what you’re going to wear with it. Although they can be trickier to fit than dresses, they’re still worth the effort—or alterations—if the look is your vibe.

“Cute, but I don’t like undressing to pee.”

I get it! And so does SPANX, because some of their jumpsuits and rompers feature patent-pending TakeOff Technology to address this exact concern.

Finishing Touches

What I often remind my clients is that thoughtful finishing touches are the pieces that make an outfit go from a simple, one-and-done dress to a put-together look that has other women asking, “Where’d you get those sandals?” or commenting, “Great bag!”

This is what I help my clients with all the time.

I have a limited number of spots remaining to work with me this summer. If you want one, schedule a Discovery Call to get started.