Sun Dressing

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Memorial Day marked the beginning of the summer season with picnics, beach trips, and all kinds of warm-weather fun. Have you gone through your closet and pulled out all the winter clothes and followed that sage advice to give away anything you have not worn in the last year? Have you brought out your summer clothes, looked them over, and decided what new pieces you need to add for this season?

Shorts and sandals have sprung up everywhere as if people just can't wait to shed their winter wear. But dressing for summer doesn’t give anyone the license to expose underwear or parts of their bodies that others really don’t need to see. Let’s step into summer staying cool and well-groomed at the same time.
  
Three factors are important to presenting a cool, composed look: choosing fabrics, using layers, and taking care of our bodies.

When it comes to fabrics, the wrinkle-free benefit of polyester is canceled out by its insulating, non-breathable characteristic. Cotton, on the other hand, allows air to circulate and lets perspiration evaporate, thus cooling us down. Linen is another natural, breathable fabric that is a good choice for both casual and more businesslike summer clothing.

Silks are light and come in such lovely bright colors that they are tempting to wear in summer. But I think they are best if they are loosely fitted or worn in air-conditioned offices and restaurants since they can be ruined if the wearer gets too hot.

Layering lets you make adjustments as the environment changes from exposure to the sun to indoor air conditioning, and from midday heat to evening cool. Starting your outfit with a shell offers a cool option when you are walking outside or waiting in a stuffy room. Check for visible bra straps before leaving the house to make sure the outfit looks polished.

Next, add a light shirt as the second layer. This can provide a cover when you don't want to show your bare arms or if you move into the shade. It also acts as a skin protector when you are out in the sun. And finally a light jacket or a sweater will provide the warmth you might need when the sun goes down and the evening air cools, or when you are in a building where the air conditioning is turned up.

The third point is to pay attention to feet and elbows—those areas that have been covered all winter and now are open to public view. You can enjoy a professional pedicure to get your feet in top shape, or set aside time to do it yourself at home. It helps to make an appointment with yourself to be sure to do it. And exfoliate the rough skin from your elbows at the same time.

The summer season can become a time of sharing our beauty with the rest of the world by just giving a little bit of care to the way we look.