Dressing Without Undressing: Tips & Tricks for a Family-friendly Summer Wardrobe

People get excited when summer comes around: it gets warmer, there's sunshine, and the seasonal affected disorder that persists through those long, dark, grey winters starts to lift. This is pretty exciting, especially in my part of the world, where winter is VERY long and cold. Since we have such a long winter, people don't have very large summer wardrobes, or much practice dressing for the heat. It's important, even when it's really hot outside, to look like a person in clothes, and not a person in underwear - this applies even when you're on vacation! Here are some tips for staying clothed while you stay cool.

1.) Trust your instincts. If you have a nagging feeling that an outfit you're about to step out in isn't quite right for some reason, trust your instincts. You can't always depend on those around you to give you an honest opinion of what you look like or what's appropriate, but if you feel like something is a little fishy about what you're wearing, you're probably right. Make a change!

2.) Wear clothing that fits. "This fit me last summer and I haven't been running yet but it's such a nice dress really" or "I'm on vacation so no one will care" are not acceptable excuses for wearing clothing that is way too small. Save that dress for the end of summer when you're in shape for it, and if you're headed out on vacation, bring lots of elastic-banded pants and forgiving tops so you can eat that extra basket of clams if you want to. When you wear things that fit, you'll feel better and be more comfortable!

3.) Less is not always more. It might be 100 degrees, but that doesn't mean it's okay for you to walk around with only 5% of your body covered. Rather than go for super skimpy outfits or rock the shirtless look, choose light, natural fabrics and sheer layers. Covering your skin with anything is often surprisingly cooler than wearing less and letting the sun hit your skin directly. Wearing a thin, cotton button-down over a thin cotton tank top can look better, feel cooler, and save your skin from sun damage in a way that walking around town in a bikini definitely doesn't. You're welcome!

4.) You're a person, not a lobster. Another thing that happens when the sun comes out is that everybody wants to be out in it all the time. Please, please, just put on some sunscreen. There are so many oil-free varieties now, and also some that you can spray on instead of having to rub them in. Believe me, you and your skin will be much happier - you won't be itchy or in pain, and you also won't have to go to work the color of Santa's suit (*gasp* you'd be dressing out-of-season!)

What are your tips for dressing comfortably and appropriately in hot-weather? Share them in the comments below!

-June the Homemaker