AARP Hearing Center
The Best Fashion Fixes to Survive Steamy Summer Weather
Breathable layers, smart colors and lighter accessories make heat waves manageable
(From left) When it’s hot and steamy, these breezy products can minimize the appearance of sweat stains and keep you looking cool. J.Crew Women Berkeley Small Handknotted Shoulder Bag in Raffia in English Saddle Natural; Talbots Kay Sunglasses in Black; Old Navy Women Poplin Midi Skirt in Red Lacquer; Gap Women Oversized Cotton Gauze Collarless Shirt in Fresh White; Talbots Pamela Vachetta Wedge Sandals in Indigo Blue.
AARP (J. Crew; Talbots, 2; Old Navy; Gap; Getty Images)
Key takeaways
- Smart underlayers like breathable bras and anti-chafe shorts help manage sweat and friction.
- Loose, airy clothing in cotton or linen lets heat escape and reduces visible dampness.
- Dark colors, prints, open shoes and lighter accessories help hide sweat and stay cool.
It’s sizzling outside — bad news for all women who worry about looking fresh as the temperatures soar. Sweat is the big challenge to getting dressed in steamy weather. It seems to seep in everywhere, leaving stains, chafing and a damp feeling from head to toe. As a fashion and beauty editor and personal shopper for women over 50, I know the perspiration issue is actually solvable with just a few changes to everyday clothes and accessories.
(From left) Fruit of the Loom Women’s Underwire T-Shirt Bra in Black; Bali Women’s Cotton Collection Underwire T-Shirt Bra DF3421 in Tropical Sands Heather; Jockey Women’s Skimmies Seamfree Ultralight Cooling Shortie Slipshort 6191 in Light.
AARP (Target, Kohl’s, 2)
1. Start with perspiration-defying bras and underwear
I bet you’re tempted to forgo support and coverage. Many women over 50 think swapping a T-shirt bra and shapewear for a skimpy bralette and bikini panties or even a thong is the answer to summer sweat. Big mistake. Underwear is actually your first line of defense. Boy shorts that extend below the thigh crease and short, biker-style shapewear can help prevent irritation caused by the combination of inner-thigh perspiration and friction. Look at styles like the Le Mystère Women’s Seamless Comfort Boyshort in Soft Shell or Black ($20, macys.com), the ThirdLove ComfortStretch Smoothing Anti-Chafe Shorts in Black or Taupe ($26, nordstrom.com) and the Jockey Women’s Skimmies Seamfree Ultralight Cooling Shortie Slipshort 6191 in Light or Black ($16, kohls.com) to create a boundary for wetness and provide baseline comfort.
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And don’t let go of the lift and shaping of a T-shirt bra. Your bosom and lighter summer clothes can still use a little help. One switch that works for many women is a breathable cotton bra, like the Bali Women’s Cotton Collection Underwire T-Shirt Bra DF3421 in Tropical Sands Heather, Black or Light Buff ($31, $29, kohls.com), in soft stretchable moisture-wicking cotton-spandex; the Soma Modern Cotton Perfect Coverage Bra in Warm Amber, Black, Pale Sand or Cocoa Rouge ($52, soma.com), with lightly lined cups and a hidden underwire; and the Fruit of the Loom Women’s Underwire T-Shirt Bra in Sand or Black ($15, target.com), a seamless, breathable cotton with a low neckline that’s perfect for V-necks. The first two bras have adjustable, convertible straps so you can wear them with any dress or top.
(From left) On 34th Women’s Linen-Blend Relaxed Oversized Button-Down Shirt in Bright White; Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Pintuck Midi Skirt in White; Old Navy Women Poplin Midi Skirt in Red Lacquer.
AARP (Macy’s, Banana Republic Factory, Old Navy)
2. Loosen up your clothes
I know you want to show your shape, but skip the clingy pieces and opt for airier clothes that let sweat evaporate. You don’t want to trap heat and odor-forming bacteria. Anything that has volume, a roomy fit and hangs away from the body will do it. A-line midi skirts like the Banana Republic Women Barrel Midi Skirt in Dark Chocolate or Iced Coffee ($130, bananarepublic.gap.com); the Banana Republic Factory Linen-Blend Pintuck Midi Skirt in White ($72, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com); and the Old Navy Women Poplin Midi Skirt in Red Lacquer or Classic Khaki ($31, oldnavy.gap.com) are the first choice, simply because their wide-open hemlines air out your body from the waist down. Pair one with a white or black cotton tee or tank (see tip 4 for why). Truly roomy tops, like the Gap Women Cotton Gauze Oversized Collarless Shirt in Black or Fresh White ($39, gap.com); the On 34th Women’s Linen-Blend Relaxed Oversized Button-Down Shirt in Bright White or Deep Black ($48, macys.com); and the Coldwater Creek Women Vintage Wash Gauze Big Shirt in White, Dark Mallard, Plum Perfect and Dusty Plum ($100, coldwatercreek.com) make underarm, back and bra-line stains history. Float them untucked over wide-leg pull-on pants in cotton or linen to keep your cool and your style chops intact.
(From left) J.Crew Women Soleil Pant in Linen in Navy; CeCe Women’s Scallop Chambray Pull-On Pants in Medium Indigo; Loft Side-Tie Mixed-Media Midi Pocket Dress in Black.
AARP (J.Crew, Macy’s, Loft)
3. Choose breathable fabrics
Your best bets are breathable naturals like cotton and linen, which work like AC to ventilate the body. Superlight variations of cotton include cotton gauze and cotton voile (the featherweights), cotton jersey (for tees and tops of mixed-media dresses), textured seersucker, cotton poplin (a smooth, sophisticated cotton often found in skirts and at the bottom of mixed-media dresses) and chambray (a denim alternative). All are ideal for the muggiest days. Cotton and linen blends (which typically feature rayon or viscose, a type of rayon) are also good choices. Both rayon and viscose are derived from wood pulp, giving cotton and linen a silkier feel. Don’t pass up linen because of worries about wrinkles — the slightly creased, relaxed look is now very fashionable.
Some good cotton choices include the CeCe Women’s Scallop Chambray Pull-On Pants in Medium Indigo ($89, macys.com); the J.Crew Women Soleil Pant in Linen in Smoked Walnut, Black or Navy ($98, jcrew.com); and the Loft Side-Tie Mixed-Media Midi Pocket Dress in Black ($54, loft.com) with a cotton jersey top and cotton poplin skirt. What to avoid? Silk and heavy, dense denim jeans that absorb moisture like a kitchen sponge and hold on to it. Opt for chambray instead of denim. As for silk, just say no. There’s a lot of silk around this summer in skirts, dresses and tops, and while it may seem cool and delish to wear silk during a heat wave, it shows wet stains instantly.
(From left) Gap Factory Women Mid-Rise Pull-On Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Pants in White Black Floral; J.Jill Cotton Voile Wide-Leg Pants in Black Abstract Outline; Universal Thread Women’s Cotton Midi Pullover Sundress in Black Floral; Treasure & Bond Floral-Print Cotton Midi Dress in Black Pink Bouquet.
AARP (Gap Factory, J.Jill, Target, Nordstrom)
4. Wear colors and prints that hide perspiration
I know pastels and brights are irresistible in summer, but they reveal sweat stains more easily than superhero neutrals such as white and black. Deep or dusty shades of chocolate brown, navy and plum are also good options and are more effective at keeping secrets than pink, yellow or red. Want more of a fashion boost? Head for busy allover prints. They hide damp and perspiration-soaked spots so effectively that even broad daylight, a full-length mirror and selfies don’t reveal them. Select the areas where sweat is a problem for you, and choose a print item. If you’re hesitant about wearing prints, stick to neutral colors and tried-and-true florals. For spot-specific sweat-blurring or allover sweat patrol, try fit-and-flare dresses, such as the Universal Thread Women’s Cotton Midi Pullover Sundress in Black Floral ($21, target.com); the Gap Factory Women Smocked Boatneck Maxi Dress in Navy Floral ($54, gapfactory.com); and the Treasure & Bond Floral-Print Cotton Midi Dress in Black Pink Bouquet ($149, nordstrom.com). Dark backgrounds are the key to discretion here. For sweaty pant concerns at the crotch area and rear end, choose wide-leg styles in all-over prints, like the Sanctuary Academy Cotton Linen Wide-Leg Pants in Lotus Print ($139, anthropologie.com); the J.Jill Cotton Voile Wide-Leg Pants in Black Abstract Outline ($89, jjill.com); or the Gap Factory Women Mid-Rise Pull-On Wide-Leg Linen-Blend Pants in Military Blue and White Black Floral ($35, gapfactory.com). Remember to look for a dark or white background for no-show insurance.
(From left) A New Day Women’s Straw Satchel Tote; J.Crew Women Berkeley Small Handknotted Shoulder Bag in Raffia in English Saddle Natural; J.Jill Crochet Straw Tote in Black/Natural; Banana Republic Factory Women Oversized Sunglasses in Tortoise Shell; Talbots Kay Sunglasses in Black.
AARP (Target, J.Crew, J.Jill, Banana Republic Factory, Talbots)
5. Carry a smaller bag and wear bigger sunglasses
When extreme heat strikes, you want extra UV protection around your eyes and a lighter bag that leaves your shoulders and neck stress-free. Save your leather bags for fall and make a chic straw or crochet style your daily carryall. Take a look at the J.Crew Women Berkeley Small Handknotted Shoulder Bag in Raffia in English Saddle Natural ($148, jcrew.com), with an adjustable strap so it can also be worn as a crossbody; A New Day Women’s Straw Satchel Tote Bag ($40, target.com), with double shoulder straps and a zippered top; and the J.Jill Crochet Straw Tote in Black/Natural ($99, jjill.com), with a magnet-snap closure. Of course, this means modifying your essentials to reduce volume and weight, but all three can easily hold a small wallet or credit card case, keys, sunglasses and a scrunchie or hair clip.
When it comes to sunglasses, opt for big, sexy frames that cover the entire eye area and are light enough not to leave marks on your nose and cheeks. Good choices include modern cat-eyes such as the J.Crew Factory Women Heart Sunglasses in Tortoise ($20, factory.jcrew.com); angular frames like the Banana Republic Factory Women Oversized Sunglasses in Tortoise Shell ($40, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com); and the glam Talbots Kay Sunglasses in Black ($80, talbots.com) with gold accents.
(From left) White Mountain Women’s Maize II Slingback Wedge Sandal in Chestnut Smooth; Talbots Pamela Vachetta Wedge Sandals in Indigo Blue; Aerosoles Women Roberta Linen Slingback Espadrille Wedge Sandal in Rich Red Linen; Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Powder Spray.
AARP (Kohl’s, Talbots, Nordstrom, CVS)
6. Give your feet breathing room
Smelly feet and stinky shoes are the worst, so forget about wearing closed shoes — ballet flats, loafers and sneakers — for the duration of a heat wave. These non-breathable basics trap moisture and heat, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and foul odors. You want open sandals and shoes that provide ventilation. Foot-deodorizing sprays such as Dr. Scholl’s Odor-X Ultra Odor-Fighting Powder Spray ($8, cvs.com); Earth Therapeutics Tea Tree Oil Foot Spray ($12, ulta.com); and Arm & Hammer Invisible Foot Powder Spray ($10, walgreens.com) can help by absorbing wetness and freshening the scent. Give the footbeds of your sandals a spritz, too, before airing them out overnight. Even better, rotate your shoes and avoid repeating the same pair two days in a row.
However, one of the best antidotes to sweat is not only open footwear but elevated shoes that lift tootsies off the ground and away from concentrated heat. Low espadrille wedge styles, such as the Aerosoles Women Roberta Linen Slingback Espadrille Wedge Sandal in Dark Linen Linen, Navy Linen or Rich Red Linen ($120, nordstrom.com); the White Mountain Women’s Maize II Slingback Wedge Sandal in Black Smooth or Chestnut Smooth ($43, kohls.com); and the Talbots Pamela Vachetta Wedge Sandals in Indigo Blue or Hickory Brown ($110, talbots.com), are ideal and work with all your midi skirts, dresses and pants. They’re a breeze to wear.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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