Summer Coverage

Staying cool without baring all

Photo The Sartorialist

Given the extreme heat we’re experiencing here in NYC and global warming in general, I'd like to attempt to tackle a touchy subject: how to look chic and stay cool without showing too much skin. I’ve reached the age where I don’t feel comfortable roaming around the city with too much on view. Maybe I’m a little conservative, but I wish more of my fellow citizens would subscribe to this. As soon as the temperatures rise all sorts of un-buffed and often unsightly flesh comes out from under cover. When things get hot it can get downright freaky. A little balance is all I ask. If you’re showing a lot of leg have your torso and arms more covered up. If you’re wearing a low cut teeny tank, pair it with a fabulous wide pant or long skirt. I find the hotter it is the cooler you are in lightweight natural fiber fabrics like cotton or linen. They should be loose and billowy to catch the breeze and float around the body. An easy fitting dress is my best defense for the hottest, most humid days that are inevitable in summer. So unless you’re at the beach or the pool,  be cool and cover up.

I stumbled across the top photo years ago and it still inspires me. This beautiful woman had cracked wide-open one of the most difficult fashion conundrums of all time; how to look chic in the heat. The photo was taken in Paris but her look would be at home in any hella hot city around the world. She looks at once of the moment, with the  emergence of  oversized silhouettes favored the past several seasons, and timelessly classic. Even her accessories are perfect. She doesn’t look studied, which for me is a buzz kill, yet her choices are sheer perfection. The all black fan (and really how chic is that!) is echoed in the black ankle ties of the espadrilles and the black stripes of the jute bag. The stripes of the bag and espadrilles add just enough pattern interest to her crisp white skirt and blouse. The blouse is heavenly, the perfect balance of femininity without being overly frilly and the proportion to the skirt is just right. I even love that she has no bling on. Just hair casually pulled back and sunglasses resting on her head. This is a master class in itself for looking chic in the heat!

Photos The Sartorialist

The above two photos illustrate the idea of a covered up but cool dress formula.  The woman at left gets bonus points for a great color and savvy use of a head scarf. I love the nude color bag and sandals to compliment the hot pink. The masculine watch and sunglasses complete the look.  The woman at right could easily be going to an office while still embracing a midsummer casual air, but not too much; a hard balance to strike. I believe both photos were taken in Milan where style is often tethered to timeless classics with an unstudied European nonchalance.

Francesca Ruffini

Speaking of Italian style; Francesca Ruffini, the founder and designer of the ultra chic, silk loungewear line, For Restless Sleepers, is the embodiment of it. Here she is in a simple white cotton blouse and black skirt proving that the right elements in the correct proportions are all it takes to look great regardless of how hot it is. The light fabric of the skirt easily catches the breeze. The oversized cotton blouse left untucked in the back  again gives the air of ease not to mention air circulation.  Usually she’s known for wearing multiple strands of long gold chains but here she simplified for what looks like a busy day as her double bags would hint at. To finish the look, studded black sandals. Perfect! You could most likely shop your own closet to replicate this look.

Here are three more examples of perfect looks for the hottest days. All are loose fitting with super simple cuts and notice that all the above mentioned looks are in solid tones. The stylist Natasha Goldenberg nails the accessories for her simple brown tank dress. I love the wooden beaded bag and the necklace that echoes the neckline of the dress.  The unexpected shoe choice of the center photo somehow elevates the whole look. Try on a couple different shoe choices when dressing. Sometimes that’s when the magic happens.

Here some dresses and skirts for the hottest days from Matteau.  I love the one shoulder dress which could go from beach to dinner and be equally at home in the city. Made in 100% organic cotton in a fabulous shade of brown. The black 100% silk sleeveless dress is similar to Natasha Goldenberg’s mentioned above. Both the white and the black cotton skirts could be paired with a billowy blouse to get the effect of the two skirt looks discussed.  And one more dress with a very pretty cut.

These three dresses from Dissh are in 100% linen. From left an empire dress. Center, bias cut dress with a black lace inset, though I would hem it to show the ankle. On the right, a v-neck dress in an easy silhouette. This is drastically marked down but not returnable.

And one more from Ulla Johnson on sale!