Summer Style: Dress Yourself Properly for the Warm Months

In the summer, oppressive weather conditions stick to you like a wet blanket. Choosing clothes that promote air circulation will go a long way toward making the swampy feeling fade.

These are three suggestions for coping with heat and humidity:

1. Don't Forget to Wear Quick-Drying Clothes

The less time you spend in swampy garments, the quicker you can put on dry clothing. Quick-drying clothing is usually made of lighter materials, but you may also find items that are particularly labelled as such. 

Even if quick-drying clothing doesn't get rid of all the humidity, it will at least absorb humidity faster than clothing that takes more time to dry.

2. Wear Loose Fitting Clothes

Lightweight clothes are the most effective way to stay cool when the humidity level is high. Clothes should be made of cotton or linen rather than polyester or wool. 

If you can, wear clothes that have a looser fit. Clothes cling to your body will soak up sweat and remain damp, resulting in more significant discomfort.

Draping cloth structures are better for your distance than knitted materials. In general, woven textiles drape more naturally than knits. 

Pique and seersucker are two types of materials that may lift the fabric away from your skin. To stay dry, use fabrics that keep moisture from getting absorbed by the fabric of your clothing.

3. Use Fabrics That Move Moisture Away from the Skin

If you want to avoid overly sweating, look for outdoor clothing made from moisture-management materials, like synthetic fabric or merino wool—fabrics designed to manage moisture and sweat away from the skin quickly. 

Fortunately, there are several outdoor clothing options for those who tend to sweat excessively. In many synthetic clothing products, such as polyester and nylon, moisture-management or wicking will be prominently displayed; merino wool might also be a good option. 

Sweating alone is not enough to keep you cool and comfortable on a dry summer day. This is because sweat must evaporate quickly before it can cool your skin, which it cannot do when air is thick with vaporised water. 

Hanging your clothes away from your skin can be enough to keep you comfortable in hot, muggy weather. Perspiration can’t escape your body when it's cold outside because the air is too dense for the sweat to evaporate.

Tips for Styling Summer Outfits

Once you have your selection of clothes ready, you can consider the composition of your outfit. As the weather warms up, here are several methods to prepare your complete outfit:

1. Use Textiles That Are Easy to Breathe

Breathable materials and textiles that trap moisture may not be as crucial for the rest of the year, but you'll feel the difference in the summer. Check garment labels to ensure your clothes are made entirely of linen, cotton, or silk to avoid wearing synthetics. 

Try eyelet and seersucker if you'd want to experiment with a different kind of fabric.

2. Avoid Wearing Apparel That Is Too Tight

Summer cooling is best achieved with loose-fitting garments. Wear cropped wide-leg slacks, baggy shirts, big blouses, and flowing dresses and skirts.

3. Choose Loose Sleeves or Sleeveless

The purpose of summer clothing is to allow as much air to circulate as possible through the garments. Consider sleeveless camis and off-the-shoulder or puff-sleeve shirts instead of going completely strapless. Another alternative is a button-up shirt with short sleeves.

4. Upgrade Your Workout Gear

Wear tight, moisture-wicking materials in the heat is not always a good idea. If you like athleisure, you should replace your black leggings and hoodie with brightly coloured cycling shorts and a tank or a cropped tank top.

Don't forget to dress in bright colours. The sun's rays are reflected, not absorbed, by light-coloured clothing, such as white skirts and button-down shirts; therefore, avoid dark hues.

Dress Comfortably This Summer

Summer doesn't have to mean overheating and discomfort. The basics of dressing for summer, as discussed in this article, include choosing light, airy fabrics and loose, flowing clothes. 

The best part is once you learn how to dress for summer, you'll always be ready for the heat.

Nkiti African Clothing is a clothing designer headquartered in the United Kingdom that specialises in casual African attire. We aim to design trendy, high-quality clothes that reflect our rich African heritage. So, we’ve got you covered if you're seeking African clothing online to wear this summer! Explore our selection right now!