Home
Fashion
Clothing
17 Ways to Keep Your Cool at Work During Sweltering Hot Summer Days

17 Ways to Keep Your Cool at Work During Sweltering Hot Summer Days

By Cindy Weber-Cleary

Updated Jun 19, 2016 @ 3:00 pm

Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.

Skip gallery slides

Credit: Courtesy

I love summer. It's my favorite time of year. But let me tell you, there is nothing as hellish as waiting for the subway in New York City on a sweltering weekday in July or August. By 9 a.m., it often feels like a sauna. I've learned to plan ahead for those times when I have important meetings and need to appear both fresh and professional.

For more of Cindy's age-wise style advice, visit Apprécier.com.

My go-to choice is a loose cotton or linen dress. No shapewear required! It can be a shift, a shirtdress, or a tunic-style, but nothing that restricts your movement. Belted styles are fine as long as they aren't tightly cinched.

Another great option is a shirt-and-skirt or -pants combo. Again, cotton, linen, or cotton-linen blend tops are much cooler than silk or polyester. Look for A-line, pleated, or flowy skirts to the knee or below—or pants that aren't too skinny or tight.

If you have to wear a suit jacket to work, a linen or cotton blazer works, but be sure to wear it over something lightweight. Uniqlo’s "AIRism" collection is a great resource for moisture-wicking tanks with built-in bras and tees. Gap also has a line of underpinnings (including tanks, T-shirts, bras, and panties) called "Breathe" with dry-wicking fabric technology.

Should you still feel the need for just a little control underneath, Spanx makes a line of perforated shorts and panties that are intended for warm weather.

Hope this helps you to focus on the work at hand, without sweating the small stuff!

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

JAMES PERSE Shirt

Credit: Courtesy

$185

Account

More

17 Ways to Keep Your Cool at Work During Sweltering Hot Summer Days

1 of 17

JAMES PERSE Shirt

1 of 17

2 of 17

Uniqlo Shirt

2 of 17

3 of 17

Rebecca Taylor Skirt

3 of 17

4 of 17

TOTÊME Jacket

4 of 17

5 of 17

Uniqlo Dress

5 of 17

6 of 17

Uniqlo Tank

6 of 17

7 of 17

Uniqlo Shirt

7 of 17

8 of 17

J. Crew Blazer

8 of 17

9 of 17

J. Crew Pants

9 of 17

10 of 17

Max Mara Dress

10 of 17

11 of 17

Banana Republic Pants

11 of 17

12 of 17

J. Crew Dress

12 of 17

13 of 17

Zara Skirt

13 of 17

14 of 17

Banana Republic Pants

14 of 17

15 of 17

Cos Skirt

15 of 17

16 of 17

Banana Republic Shirt

16 of 17

17 of 17

Banana Republic Blazer

17 of 17

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Everything in This Slideshow