How to Beat the Heat at a Formal Event

Summer is a time of weddings and graduations. These events tend to be more formal than your usual backyard BBQ, which means your go-to shorts and tank aren’t going to cut it. Formal events mean dressing up, and in the summer, this usually leads to overheating.

As a result of being too hot and overcrowded, you’re going to sweat. Throw in dancing, alcohol, and nerves, and you’ll be a puddle. Here is everything you need to know to stay dry – from head to toe.

Getting Ready

If you get too hot while you’re getting ready, you’re more likely to stay overheated. This leads to frustration, and in my case, throwing perfectly good outfits on the floor because they’re sticking to me.

There are some simple steps you can take to stay cool while you get ready to go out that will pay off right away.

1 – Set up a fan.

Aim the fan at your body, not your face. This way you won’t get windblown hair, but your body will stay cool.

2 – Rinse in cool water.

After you’ve showered, take a few minutes to rinse off in cool (not cold) water. You’ll feel cooler for longer. If you feel yourself getting too hot while you get ready, soak your feet in cool water in the tub for a couple minutes. The cooling sensation on your toes will help cool down the rest of you. This also helps when it comes time to put on shoes.

3 – Sip ice water.

This tip has two benefits – it will cool you down and keep you hydrated. When we sweat we lose a lot of moisture, and you don’t want to add dehydration to the list. Try adding cucumber and mint for a flavor boost.

4 – Drip dry.

After you get out of the shower, squeeze the excess water out of your hair. Let the rest drip dry by itself. This will cut down on the amount of blow drying you have to do.

5 – Wear something light (or nothing).

If you are home alone, or with a SO you are comfortable being nude around, get ready in the buff. Extra layers add to the heat. If this isn’t an option for you, get a light cotton robe, or wear shorts and a tank.

Hair

Put your hair up. Getting it off your neck will help keep you cool. It will also reduce sweat on the back of your neck, which immediately creates tangles. If you can’t find an updo that you like, try a base at the nape of your neck. This lower style can easily be dressed up, but you won’t feel like you’re exposing your neck and ears to the world.

Hairspray is your friend. For those of us who naturally have hair with attitude, frizz can be expected to make an appearance at every important event. Get a spray with extra strong hold. To tame flyaways, apply some hairspray to your comb and brush it through.

Be sure to apply hairspray throughout the styling process. If you are going for curls, lightly spray each one while it is still warm. For straight styles, use the comb tip from above on each section. Once your hair is done, spray your entire style.

To avoid using hot tools altogether, try using large, non-heated rollers. These are the ones that feel like the rough side of velcro. When your hair is damp, put small sections into large rollers to get loose waves. Leave it to dry on it's own. Depending on how thick your hair is, this could take a few hours, so be prepared to keep them in all day.

Makeup

This is the most difficult part of going out in the heat of summer. Sometimes it seems like no matter how careful you are, your makeup will melt off as soon as you start to sweat. Follow these steps to minimize the melt.

1 – Start with moisturizer and primer.

Choose a moisturizer with SPF whether or not the event is outside. SPF is crucial for preventing skin cancer, and the skin on your face is super delicate.

Primer will give your makeup something to hold on to (click here to read our article about primer). This means your makeup will last longer. To prevent shine, choose a mattifying primer.

2 – Go for light coverage products.

Spot cover with concealer, then use a light product over top. The more layers you put on, the more layers there are to cake up. Try using a light liquid foundation topped with loose powder. Be sure to apply the foundation with a sponge to avoid getting excess amounts on your skin.

Whichever brand you use, choose a mattifying powder. Like the primer, this will help prevent too much shine, especially on your T-zone.

3 – Choose waterproof mascara.

Waterproof mascara is great for summer because it is also resistant to sweat. Regular mascara doesn’t contain the same waxes found in waterproof mascara, so it is more likely to come off when you overheat.

4 – Opt for lip gloss over lipstick.

In the heat, lip gloss is much easier to manage than lipstick. Not only does it have a lighter, summery look, but it won’t smudge. Melted lipstick creates a mess in your bag, and is impossible to put on when it’s mushy. On the other hand, lip gloss is already liquid, so you don’t have to worry about it becoming slimy on your face.

5 – Use a setting spray.

These sprays are perfect for big nights out. Once all of your makeup is on, lightly spritz your face with the setting spray to help everything stay where it should.

6 – Pick up blotting papers.

These sheets absorb oil and help you stay shine-free all night. When you hit the bathroom, pat one of these sheets on the spots where you feel greasy, like your forehead, nose, and chin. The papers will remove the oil, and all you have to do is touch-up with a bit of powder.

7 – Pack the essentials.

Make sure you bring the things you need. This includes the blotting papers, lip gloss, powder, and a mini deodorant. A purse-sized perfume is a good idea too, as long as you remember that it won’t take the place of actual deodorant.

Clothing

Some fabrics are better than others when it comes to beating the heat. Cotton is particularly good because it allows for air flow through the weave of the fabric. Man-made fabrics like polyester and rayon are less helpful and tend to trap the heat.

For formal events like weddings and graduations, dresses are appropriate. Choose a style that doesn’t fit tight to your body. The extra room will prevent the fabric from sticking from you.

Pro tip – put dance pants (also known as booty shorts, or stretchy yoga shorts) underneath your dress. The extra layer may be a bit warm, but anybody who has had chafing on their thighs knows how uncomfortable it can get.

Chiffon is the perfect summer fabric. It is light and breathable, and when you have a chiffon skirt it is very feminine.

Shoes

Formal shoes can get uncomfortable and painful very quickly, especially when there is dancing involved. If at all possible, choose an open-toed shoe with a sling back. The open front and back allow for air to flow through, which will help keep your feet cool.

Slingbacks help prevent rubbing on your Achilles heel. The smaller amount of material means there is less to rub.

Also, purchase some insoles. The gel versions are comfy but may become slippery if your feet sweat. There are a couple of options to fix this – either choose fabric insoles or put a panty liner over top to absorb the sweat. Weird, we know, but it works. Check out this article about other odd tips to save your flats in the summer.

Throw some band aids in your bag just in case. It is incredibly aggravating to be on the verge of developing a blister and finding yourself without a plaster. 

Bathing Suits - Evil Incarnate or Self-Esteem Booster?

Bathing suit season is one of my oldest enemies. I know I'm not alone in saying that bathing suit shopping has never been easy. Every mannequin and model is petite, or curvy in the "right" places. For those of us with bodies that are shaped differently than the ones on display at Victoria's Secret, or those who are considered 'plus size', shopping for a bathing suit can be a daunting task, never mind actually putting one on in public.

One of my many retail jobs over the years was at a bathing suit store. During my interview, the manager asked me what I would say if I was helping a woman who loved a suit that looked terrible on her. I told her I wouldn't say anything - if she feels great in a bathing suit my opinion doesn't matter. 

Unfortunately, most of us are not super confident in a bathing suit. We obsessively compare ourselves to others, and in most cases, we feel we fall short. Every summer I give myself a pep talk. I tell myself that this year will be different, that it doesn't matter what other people think, and that if I feel good I'll look good. Often the confidence runs out before I leave the house. 

Working in a bathing suit store turned out to be a great experience. I got to see first-hand how women of different ages and body types deal with body image issues, finding the right size, and fighting back against the unrealistic standards that surround us. 

We need to stop our cycles of self-doubt and start thinking positive. Here are some steps I've learned along the way to take to start thinking of your bathing suit as a self-esteem booster instead of as pure evil. 

1 - Find a bathing suit you love on the hanger.

The first step to feeling good in something is wanting to put it on. If you don't like it on the hanger, you probably won't like it on your body. 

Look for prints or colours that instantly attract you to an item. For me, army green is my go-to for bathing suits. Since I'm a sucker for bling, anything with a metallic accent grabs my eye.

Bringing a friend with you can be very helpful. Often they can spot trends in our wardrobes that we don't notice. As a result, he or she will pick out things for us that we might not have chosen on our own. 

2 - Get something supportive.

Many bathing suits are just not designed to be worn by women with large chests. Feeling saggy and droopy for your day at the beach doesn't make anybody happy. 

Generally, if there is a string holding up the top it isn't going to be supportive. Straps that are wider are a much better option. Suits that tie around the neck can become painful if worn for more than a couple hours, so consider a top that has straps more like a bra. 

If you're going for a two-piece, make sure there is a wider band around the bottom part of the top half. This will add some support to the cups.

On the subject of cups, triangles don't hold much. A cup that is rounded will keep you covered, and prevent any wardrobe malfunctions. 

3 - Find the style that works best for your body.

As with every other kind of clothing, not every design will work with every body shape. Try on a few different styles until you find the one you like the best. 

Each style has its own pros and cons. For instance, bottoms that tie at the side allow for size adjustments, however, they show more skin on the hip. High-cut bottoms have a retro look, but they can feel restrictive. You won't know what style you like the best until you try. 

Try to pinpoint what you like and dislike about each style you try on. This will help you narrow down what kind of suit you'll like the best. For example, do you like the cut or embellishments?

4 - Remember that loving your bathing suit is a marathon, not a sprint.

Undoing a lifetime of negative self-talk doesn't happen in one day. Set a goal and take steps to reach it. For example, maybe your goal is to go into a pool without a T-shirt on over top of your bathing suit. Give yourself a time limit (like the end of the summer) and stick to it. 

Consider trying items such as wraps and sarongs. These are the perfect summer accessories for bathing suits and are helpful tools for reaching your goal.  

Have a tip for bathing suit shopping? Let us know!

Top 3 Tips for Summer Workwear

Dressing for work in the summer can be stressful, especially when you live in a climate that has very hot summers. Here are our top tips for work-appropriate summer outfits that will heat up your summer fashion.

1 – Keep it Covered

In hot weather, people are inclined to wear as little fabric as possible in an attempt to stay cool. This is always inappropriate for work, no matter what size you are. 

When it comes to workwear, less is not more. As a general rule of thumb, you should not display too much cleavage or leg. 

With curvy women, cleavage tends to happen no matter what you wear. There are a few things you can do to help fix this and not overheat:

-    Layer a short-sleeved (or sleeveless) loose cardigan made of a super-light fabric over your top. Fabrics such as thin cotton breathe in hot weather. 

-    Wear a top that has a neckline other than a V. The V-shaped neckline tends to accentuate cleavage, whereas a scoop, boat, or cowl neck does not. This will allow you to wear a top without layering, and it has short sleeves you won’t overheat.

-    Add a camisole or tank top underneath your top. While layering is counter-intuitive in hot weather, putting one camisole underneath your regular top means you can leave a couple buttons undone without showing off everything you’ve got. Again, find a natural fabric such as cotton, and make sure it is a material thin enough to prevent overheating without being see-through. 

To determine if your skirt or shorts are an acceptable length, rest your arm by your side, and hold it completely straight. The hem of your bottoms should reach the tips of your fingers. If it doesn’t, it is probably too short. Or, opt for a maxi skirt that will let in a breeze. 

2 – Remember to Care for Your Skin

Sandals are a great option for keeping your feet cool during the long workday. If sandals or open-toed shoes are acceptable at your office, don’t overlook caring for your feet. There is nothing like dry skin and flaked polish to make a professional outfit look cheap. 

If springing for a pedicure isn’t an option, do one yourself at home. All you’ll need is an orange stick, nail file, pumice, and polish. 

Some offices are more formal and don’t allow employees to wear sandals. Never fear, you can still wear them as commuter shoes to keep cool on the way to work.

Caring for your skin doesn’t stop at your feet. The sun can quickly dry out any skin, especially elbows and knees. Moisturize your skin regularly, and always put on sunscreen to keep your skin glowing throughout the year. 

3 – Accessorize

Accessories are an easy way to dress up any outfit. If you have an outfit that is nice but not quite formal enough for work, add some accessories. The key to properly adding to an outfit is moderation – going overboard will look like you fell into your jewelry box on your way out of the house.

Here are a few items that quickly dress up an outfit:

-    Diamond studs (whether or not they are real). Studs add some glitter to your outfit without looking like miniature chandeliers.

-    Bangle bracelets. These are perfect for summer as they are more casual than tennis bracelets, but a mix of metals will add flair to your ensemble. Layer five or six of different materials to get an eclectic look.

-    Watches. A metal watch, whether a classic shape or as part of a charm bracelet, instantly dresses up a work outfit. Plastic, leather, or ceramic watches are more casual, so consider saving those for the weekend. Want more bling? Get one with rhinestones on the face. 

Now that you know how to work your summer style, your fashion will be hot while you stay cool.