Sweat it out! How to dress for a heat wave

It was a miserable, hot summer day, the 14th miserable, hot summer day in a row. That's what Carrie Bradshaw says in a voiceover in an episode of Sex and the City Samantha walks down the street fanning herself desperately but to no avail. It's just too hot in the city, and all she does is blow more hot, clammy air in his direction.

Samantha eventually finds some respite by stepping into a private pool, but those of us who aren't members of a club just have to sweat our asses off and make do. After riding out New York City's third heat wave of the summer last week, we thought we'd put on our fashion editor hats and share some sartorial tips for the next round of unprecedented temperatures.

The towel stays in place

Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen have become fashionista favorites not just because they make great clothes, but because they always do it with brazen aplomb. At their pre-fall runway, it was their candy-colored jelly sandals that got people talking (and obviously buying, since sandals have become a bit of a trend this summer). But there was something even more important: a model wearing a long, loose black coat with a vintage-looking orange-and-white floral towel draped over her shoulders. It was a literal cotton towel, not a silk or cashmere scarf. look like a towel, which is precisely why this accessory is the chicest of the unbalanced. Sweaty? No problem, wipe it off and go. Perfect. Laia Garcia-Furtado

The Row, Pre-Fall 2024.

Photo: Courtesy of The Row

Underwear, always

Underwear has gone out of fashion in recent years. Some people find it old-fashioned, others find it a bit restrictive. Also I’m all for wearing as little as possible in the summer, but I also have to declare myself a fan of underwear (I prefer a white or black ribbed tank straight from the dollar store). While you’re waiting for a delayed train on a damp subway platform, or while your backpack is rubbing against your back, an undershirt will keep that white cotton button-down or that chic Bode shirt in esoteric fabric from clinging to the beads of sweat running down your back. Better yet, make underwear a part of your look—never let the swing of the fashion pendulum get in the way of practicality. Jos Criales-Unzueta

Ferragamo, Spring 2024.

Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com

Dries Van Noten, menswear spring 2025.

Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com

Look-to-Go

LOOKTOGO you can make this look to go That's the line that references the summer outfit in Chappel Roan's ubiquitous hit, Hot to Go! (In my head, at least.) My most crucial trick for not sweating is to simply carry my outfit with me and throw it on when I arrive. I do this for the office when I want to wear something that I refuse to sweat in and don't want to compromise. visionor if my outfit is too layered (I did this this week with a Marni x Uniqlo balloon skirt that is nice to twirl in but too heavy for a heatwave). I throw on some gym shorts and a gym t-shirt for when I’m out and about and change once I get to the office. Thank goodness big handbags are back fashionable.JCU

Bottega Veneta, spring 2024.

Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com

Bottega Veneta, spring 2024.

Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com

Integrated ventilation

Few things are as unpleasant as having to get dressed when the weather is stifling, hot, and humid. Covering your body with fabric while your pores pour out sweat is a version of hell. Enter the holes. The slits. The cutouts. The baggy, loose knits that only cover you conceptually but not in reality. Okay, if you're going to be out in the world, you're still going to need to cover up, but that's where a very thin, lightweight dress, or a pair of shorts, or even a bodysuit can come in handy. Alone, you might not be able to get away with it, but when you put them together, it's heaven. LGF

Sacai, ready-to-wear spring 2024.

Photo: Paolo Lanzi / Gorunway.com

Diotima, spring 2024.

Photo: Courtesy of Diotima

Karoline Vitto, spring 2024.

Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com

Go get wet

Take a dip in the coldest shower and get dressed. Slick your hair back. Let your clothes stick to you and go out into the world. If you start sweating, who cares? You're already wet, but also fresh. Keep dousing yourself throughout the day, indulge in the inevitable summer storms. This is real life. LGF

By Petsa, fall 2024.

Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com

Bonus: Ice, Ice, Baby

If all else fails, I suggest you do as Martin Margiela did for his Spring 2006 collection and accessorize with ice. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces… the possibilities are endless. (Another option is to get a small battery-powered fan; it kept me from sweating after I wiped off my makeup.) JCU

Maison Margiela, spring 2006.

Photo: Don Ashby

Maison Margiela, spring 2006.

Photo: Don Ashby