I asked 10 stylish women what they wear when it's unbearably hot
Their go-to outfit formulas, best summer purchases, and little styling tricks
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Want access to the weekly newsletter? Reminiscent of the early days of cupcakes and cashmere, you’ll get in-depth shopping suggestions, favorite recipes, personal anecdotes, and everything in between. I asked 10 stylish women what they wear when it's unbearably hotTheir go-to outfit formulas, best summer purchases, and little styling tricks
I'm never going to be someone who loves getting dressed in August. By this point in the summer, I'm rotating and sweating through the same handful of outfits, and feeling completely uninspired. So I outsourced the problem to 10 women on the internet whose style I never get tired of and asked them what they actually wear when it's unbearably hot. And let me tell you, the lineup is kind of a dream. Aurora James
The ultimate combo for unbearably hot days is these slinky shorts from Negative, a vintage tee, and a fun shoe. On the shoe front, I have a fascination with all things jelly right now, starting with the Chloé jellies. I also love the Alaïas. There are also these Garden Clogs from Gardenheir, which I’ve been wearing for years. Go-to pedicure color: French pedi The best thing you’ve bought this summer: Probably the Chloe jelly mules in leopard The accessory that makes every outfit better: Candy Huaraches, the Brother Vellies huaraches trinketized with charms I’ve sourced throughout my travels and at the flea MVP summer hair product: Highbrow Hippie Scalp Serum Currently reading: Girl on Girl by Sophie Gilbert (for the second time) You can find Aurora on Substack.
Courtney Grow
A thread-bare vintage tee is always going to be a part of it. From there, a sheer pant, a short short (preferably something unexpected and/or bejeweled), and you know maybe even just my swimsuit, and thistles. Go-to pedicure color: Hermès rose baltique. The best thing you’ve bought this summer: I’m having fun with these shorts (and my humility is begging me not to say this, but I also really do love the beaded flip flops from my collection with Ref.) The accessory that makes every outfit better: an ossa chain and a good attitude. MVP summer hair product: Crown Affair air dry mousse Currently reading: Into The Blue by Emma Brodie You can find Courtney on Instagram. Grace Atwood
I moved from New York to Charleston 5 years ago, and I’m still getting used to the heat. It is a different kind of hot and humid here. I have a few things I do when I want to look my best without overheating. First, I never skip jewelry -- a beaded necklace or long pendant adds interest and makes the whole look feel more intentional. Second, I have little uniforms I wear like a vintage tee, pendant, and track shorts. Or a tee, lace-trim shorts, and a light button-down worn open, like a jacket (I got this tip from Kelly Klein, an amazing stylist who I worked with a couple months back). And third: lightweight fabrics. Comme Si and Donni do a great job making pieces in fabrics that are really lightweight but still feel rich and vibrant. Go-to pedicure color: A bold red-orange! Hermès Orange Poppy is a forever favorite. The best thing you’ve bought this summer: It’s not a fashion thing, and it was quite the splurge, but it’s definitely my Eight Sleep pod. I am a hot sleeper, and it adjusts to cool you off at night. I also love to use it to make my bed warm after an everything shower. My air conditioning was out for 10 days, and this is the only thing that made things bearable!
The accessory that makes every outfit better: A pendant necklace or a strand of beads. They’ll make even the most boring outfit (I’m living in tees and track shorts right now) feel a bit more intentional.
MVP summer hair product: I did not win the genetic lottery when it comes to hair. My hair is its whole THING -- frizzy and thick, wavy in some places, curly in others. Charleston’s humid climate makes it even harder to tame. Most days I just slick it back in a bun but when I do air-dry, I love this hair milk from Roz, and Crown Affair’s air dry mousse. Currently reading: I just finished reading The Calamity Club, by Kathryn Stocker. It was my mom’s favorite book of the year and it might just be mine, too. Don’t be intimidated by how long it is. Other recent favorites: The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza and It Could Have Been Her by Lisa Jewell. I am a big thriller person and anything Jewell writes is an instant pre-order! You can find Grace on Substack. Joyce Lee
I’m mostly a separates girl, so when it comes to getting dressed for a heat wave day, I like to rotate between skirts or shorts with an easy tank or oversized tee. I mostly stick to breathable fabrics as I hate the feeling of clothes sticking to my skin (or my skin sticking to a chair), so I’ve been loving longer Bermuda shorts lately. I always bring along a poplin shirt too, either tied around my waist during the day for a pop of color, or thrown over a tank once the air conditioning kicks in or the temperature drops in the evening. And then it’s the accessories that get mixed up to keep things fresh (a chunky necklace, a textured or colorful bag, and an unexpected shoe are my go-tos). Go-to pedicure color: Essie Geranium but I am excited to try Celise’s red coming out soon. The best thing you’ve bought this summer: Phoebe Philo flats The accessory that makes every outfit better: I have been wearing this beaded necklace all summer (similar here) MVP summer hair product: First Hand Effortless Air Crème Currently reading: all of my Substack Subscriptions keep me very busy, I’ve been saving newsletters so I can go back to them during downtime You can find Joyce on Substack and Instagram. Jessie Randall
I’ll never complain about the heat. Give me a hot day over a cold day every single time. I love the summer, and getting dressed for it! I’m looking for comfortable pieces that keep me cool, that are easy to wear but still feel put together, and that I can reach for again and again. For me, that’s a favorite breezy sundress, lightweight white cotton tops, boxer shorts and jelly sandals. I also always keep a cashmere cardigan close by for over-the-top air-conditioning. Honorable mention: I recently discovered these strange under-boob tops to wear to prevent sweat stains. They come in a multipack and they really do work. Plus they give a bit of a boob lift!
Go-to pedicure color: Geranium by Essie The best thing you’ve bought this summer: Not exactly a thing but the most priceless thing I spent money on this summer was a family trip to Capri all together. The accessory that makes every outfit better: a crochet scarf tied around the waist or a chunky necklace. MVP summer hair product: Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo from Living Proof Currently reading: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe You can find Jessie on Substack and Instagram. Kelly KleinWhen it’s unbearably hot, I usually reach for lightweight pants or knee-length shorts, especially at night. I don’t like the feeling of my legs sticking to a chair, and I don’t have to deal with shorts riding up every time I walk or sit down. I stick to breathable natural fabrics like linen and cotton, simple flat sandals or flip-flops, and usually let my top do the heavy lifting. A feminine blouse can make the simplest outfit feel finished without needing much else. Go-to pedicure color: Clear or a sheer blush pink. I don’t have pretty feet, so it's best not to make them stand out :). The best thing I’ve bought this summer: My Gabriela Hearst jeans. Mine are in a yellow color but those red ones are awesome. The accessory that makes every outfit better: A pendant necklace. It fills the negative space of a plain tee and always makes an outfit feel more complete. MVP summer hair product: Crown Affair mousse for extra volume and wave. Currently reading: Into the Blue, based on a recommendation from @GraceAtwood. You can find Kelly on Substack and Instagram. Heather ClawsonWhen it gets unbearably hot, I always throw on a dress. I prefer a shirtdress with sleeves so I can wear it for three seasons, but they are also practical for overly air-conditioned interiors. Changing the accessories can upgrade them from a simple look in which to run errands or hang out at the beach to something more elevated you can wear out to dinner. Go-to pedicure color: I get monthly Russian pedicures at Mansion Beauty in NYC. My color is #35 which is close to the Hermès nail color Rouge H. The best thing you’ve bought this summer: There are two things that have been the best things so far this summer. The first was a black Toteme Parachute Shirtdress. The nipped-in waist is very flattering. I had one guard at a gallery ask if I had taken a photo of myself one day while I was wearing this outfit because he said I looked so nice. It sounds creepy but it wasn’t in person. My second favorite thing I bought is the Georgica Woven Tote from The Row in the taupe color. The weave is very unique and I’ve received multiple compliments on it so far too. The accessory that makes every outfit better: The new Prada Aviator Shadowplay Sunglasses. I dress very classic but these sunglasses add a current touch that elevates all my summer outfits. MVP summer hair product: It would be impossible to choose just one but I love everything from Rōz. I use the Milk Hair Serum on wet hair before I blow dry and the Santa Lucia Styling Oil after blow drying to smooth my hair. If my hair is feeling dry, I use the Willow Glen Pre-Treatment Oil at night. After washing the next day, my hair is always smooth and shiny. Currently reading: The first and only novel from French filmmaker Eric Rohmer, Élisabeth, originally published in 1946, has just been released in English from McNally Editions which is what I’m reading now. You can find Heather on Substack and Instagram. Tess Sullivan
When it is unbearably hot, I like to wear clothes that swim on me- the bigger the better. Most recently, I’ve been tossing on my big vintage white skirt that has a huge sweep and gigantic thread bare vintage tee. I toss on a big belt to give it shape, grab a straw bag or two for texture (and all my things, and slide on my perfect little sandals and I’m out the door. As a jeans and a tee girl- this formula feels just as easy and the skirt gives me a hint of summer whimsy I’m always going for. Go-to pedicure color: My holy grail red - Como Se Llama by OPI The best thing you’ve bought this summer: The TWP Nantucket Sound Hat - it comes with me everywhere. The accessory that makes every outfit better: A good belt. Always. MVP summer hair product: Roz Milk Serum for the perfect air dry. Currently reading: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott You can find Tess on Substack. Jen Andrews-Cater
My favorite 3 outfit formulas to wear to beat the heat: 1. Slip skirt (at the knee or just below), boatneck 3/4 sleeve tee or tank (my favorite slip skirt this summer has been this in black or this one in white.
2. Cotton poplin pants and a cute tee. These are my fave cotton poplin pants ever…and for tees, I love this, this, and this.
3. An easy slip dress or column dress (I’ve really been into ‘90s minimal: not a lot of jewelry, just simple quality basics that are versatile and interchangeable).
Go to pedicure color: OPI big apple red (so classic and timeless) Best thing I bought this summer: Christopher Esber Jo sandals in black, Matteau black drawstring trousers and The Row black small Nuance bag Accessory that makes every outfit better: a great pair of sunglasses (conceals a multitude of flaws and always elevates and makes an outfit cool) see above for my faves MVP summer hair product: ROZ milk hair serum Currently reading: Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth You can find Jen on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok. Denna Nazem
When it’s unbearably hot out, I normally reach for the lightest pieces with the biggest impact. Year-round, I am addicted to dopamine dressing -- playing colors and patterns together that make me the happiest—and in the summer, it’s extra fun. A go-to for me is also mixing ultra-feminine pieces with more sporty items (that ultimately work well in the heat). For example, I love wearing loose lacrosse or mini mesh shorts with a frilly little top and ballet flats. And I know it’s a cop-out, but I swear by a ride or die summer mini or slip dress that always does the trick when paired with walkable, dressy flip-flops or breathable sneakers. For juxtaposition, I edge it up with some big sunglasses. Go-to pedicure color: OPI Funny Bunny. I love a creamy white pedi in the summer. Goes with all shoes. The best thing you’ve bought this summer: Vintage Moschino cherry-printed capris. TODAY! And a plane ticket to France... The accessory that makes every outfit better: Majorly massive sunglasses that block half your face, plus naturally curly air-dried hair (when it actually dries right, see below...) MVP summer hair product: Crown Affair The Smoothing Air Dry Cream!!! Currently reading: Yesteryear. Just finished Famesick! You can find Denna on Substack. Keep on reading…
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