And stylists say stripping down may not fit with everyone’s sense of style or their level of comfort.
“There’s a summer move of just wearing no clothes — like, it’s just too hot for clothes and we’re just wearing our tiniest shorts and our tiniest tops,” said Heather Newberger, a stylist who wrote the book “How to Date Your Wardrobe.” “But I don’t think the majority of America feels comfortable that way.”
Instead, the scientists and stylists agree, it’s about making thoughtful choices about fabrics, fit and colors.
Scientists such as Shepherd who study fibers and fabrics at the molecular level say linen is the coolest choice for summer heat. The natural fiber breathes well, pulls sweat away from your skin and allows it to evaporate easily. But the stylists we spoke to are split.
Stylist Denise Caldwell says linen is a great option. Newberger says she never recommends it unless a client specifically asks for it.
“Linen is going to keep you real cool — however, it’s going to look like a paper bag in five seconds,” said Newberger, referring to linen’s tendency to wrinkle. But, she added, “there are people who are very confident in linen, so if you’re comfortable with that look then go for it.”
Newberger prefers lyocell, a fabric made from wood chips that often goes by the brand name Tencel, which she says stays cool like linen without the wrinkles. She also recommends plissé, a pleated cotton fabric that is often thin and breathable.
“There’s already a built-in texture there which really adds dimension to your outfit,” she said. In the summer, a light, textured fabric can “bring back that layering effect that can create so much dynamism in the winter, when you have all this flexibility where you can have sweaters, button-downs, jackets, vests and you can bring them all together.”
Caldwell, the other stylist, suggested choosing natural fibers, particularly bamboo, which stays cool in a similar way to linen. She also advised looking for alternatives to heavy fabrics like denim.
“Chambray is lightweight and sophisticated, so it’s a good alternative for those who like denim or jeans during the summer,” she said.
Looser-fitting clothing allows more air to circulate over your skin, which can cool you down and make you feel less clammy, according to scientists.
“You don’t want something that’s clinging to your body. You want something that’s lightweight and kind of breezy,” said Shepherd. “If I’m just hanging out I would probably recommend something like a long-sleeve, linen, loose-fitting shirt.”
The good news, stylists say, is that baggy clothes are in — regardless of your age or gender.
“We’re in a great space right now where oversized is king. The coolest looks out there tend to be things that are more oversized,” said Newberger. “It’s a great time to try new things because there’s really less pushback when it comes to that kind of look.”
She recommends, for instance, “an oversized shirt made with organic fibers and a wide-legged pant that moves the air through you and offers sun protection as well.”
Caldwell stressed that loose doesn’t mean ill-fitting. “It’s not about going up in size or getting something that’s extra large,” she said. “You can still get things that are tailored to your size.” She pointed to different sleeve shapes that are wider than traditional cuts, such as billow sleeves, balloon sleeves and flutter sleeves.
She also recommends flowy garments such as a maxi dress or a fit-and-flare dress. “The great thing is it cinches your waist but it actually flows around so that it’s not too clingy to the body, because you want fabrics that are not going to stick to the skin but are actually going to move with the body.”
Darker clothes absorb more heat from the sun than lighter clothes, scientists say. That’s why stylists recommend switching to lighter colors in the summer.
“As a New Yorker, it’s a real bummer because the number one color we use is black,” said Newberger. “But summer is made for cream.”
Caldwell suggested choosing light pastels. “And then your white, nude, taupe or bone type of colors go well with different skin tones, but they’re still in the light color frame,” she said.
She also recommends cool blues, but advises against fiery reds, which she says can make you feel psychologically hotter — a fashion tip supported by some scientific research on the links between color and temperature perception.
The bottom line, stylists and scientists say, is that people need to choose a summer wardrobe that makes them feel comfortable in the heat and in their own skin. That might mean trying out a new type of fabric or a garment with a looser fit, but it doesn’t mean you have to wear something that feels unnatural to you.
“People feel like they’re forced into making decisions that they’re not confident with because of seasonal dressing,” Newberger said. “At the end of the day, it’s not necessarily about doing what you think you should, and instead taking the time to figure out what you want.”
