How to Survive a Heat Wave in Style

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Is it fall yet?  Despite there seemingly being sundress clad woman on every corner, summer has gotten old for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere.  It’s hot enough that on the East Coast, 50,000 “broiler chickens” jumped the mortal gun and met their heat based demise earlier than expected.  It’s hot as an oven, but that doesn’t mean you have to sweat it out in rags.  Here’s a few suggestions on how to, y’know… keep it cool.  Top Photo Credit
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The Suit:  Bonobos Seersucker Jacket & Matching Pant – $236.00* | J. Crew Linen – $386

When it’s not just hot, but really hot, even an all cotton chino suit will feel heavy.  Okay, any suit is going to feel heavy.  Still, stick to seersucker or linen.  Those fabrics feel lighter.  The Bonobos Seersucker is incredibly light, plenty airy, but doesn’t feel flimsy or chintzy.  Full review here.  J. Crew’s linen suit is actually somewhat affordable (by their standards) and will be much more comfortable than chino.  *You’ll need to sign up an email as a new customer for $50 off and thus, the $236 price via Bonobos.  Also, the Bonobos option just went on sale.  Down from $360.

The Sunglasses:  Warby Parker Jasper Polarized – $95.00

If it’s hot as Havana you might as well look like you’re actually there.  Hat tip to the flood of mentions about Warby Parker following the TOMS sunglasses review.  Didn’t know they were doing non-prescription now.  Famous for their five pairs / five days home try on program and like TOMS they also have a program that helps out the less fortunate.

 

The Blazer:  Kenneth Cole Reaction Unlined Mini-Check – $62.99 (reg. $79.50)

The INC Ultra Lights have all but disappeared from online (but seem to still exist in store?)  These sportcoats from Kenneth Cole Reaction are the next best thing.  The mini check is completely unlined just like the INC Ultra lights.  If you are wearing a blazer, make sure it has as little lining/padding as possible.

 

Roll your sleeves up the right way – Flip, Pull, and Lock it In

Here’s how to do it:  With your shirt cuff unbuttoned, flip the cuff back.  Allowing your sleeve to turn inside out along the way, drag the cuff slowly up past your elbow until the now bottom seam of the cuff is in your elbow pit.  Fold the extra 3-5 inches of exposed inside-out sleeve up to “lock in” the cuff.  Ta-da.  Instant short sleeve shirt.

 

The Polo:  Banana Republic Luxe Touch – $33.75 w/code BRSAVE25 ($44.50)

Spendy for a polo, but Banana Republic’s Luxe Touch cotton is so smooth it’s almost a bit slippery.  Almost feels cool to the touch.  Not too fitted but not bulky either.  Just enough space to get some air through there.

 

The Shoes:  Mike Konos Suede Penny Loafers – $99.94 (“compare” to $250)

Boat shoes and canvas sneakers are tough to dress up.  Suede penny loafers on the other hand look plenty dressed up when it’s hot, and can be dressed down with ease.  Made in Italy by DSW’s house brand which has a more than good track record.  (Wanna get nuts?  They’ve got them in blue too.)

 

The Drink:  Dry Soda – $1.50 – $2.oo per bottle

You know it’s hot if you’re turning down a cocktail (but if you’re not, try a Campari and Soda).  Alcohol isn’t really going to help your comfort level when it’s stifling, so try and pace yourself or stick to these things.  They’re only 45 – 70 calories, lightly sweetened, and unlike high sugar/caffeine laced sodas, they’re actually refreshing.

 

The Sunscreen:  Titanium Dioxide Based Sunblock

If you’re fair skinned and have hard water, you might have seen stains showing up on your white clothes around the neckline.  That’s not ring around the collar.  They’re rust stains caused by the most common sunscreens which all use similar chemicals.  The alternative is a Titanium Dixoide based sunblock which goes on smooth and more or less sits on top of your skin (feels like it soaks in)  Plus, it won’t turn into rust when washed in hard water.

 

Lose the Undershirt.  No, really.

There are plenty of undershirt addicts out there who feel weird wearing a dress shirt without an undershirt underneath.  Here’s the problem with that.  First, it’s another layer.  And second, cotton doesn’t dry that fast.  So when your thick, squishy undershirt gets sweat soaked, it’s going to stay that way for the rest of the day.  You’ll sweat more because of it, and you’ll have pit stains no matter what.  Lose the extra layer.

 

The Music:  Christmas Tunes

“I think… therefore I am.”  How about, I’m sweating like a god*amned pig, therefore I am thinking about being in a cooler place?  Like the North pole.  In December.  Throw a Christmas in July party.  Might distract just enough.

Any other suggestions for looking decent but staying cool in the heat?  Leave them all below…