Ways to Stay Cool When the "Feels Like" Temperature Reaches Over 100 (Yes, It Can Be Done)

      Is it just me, or does it seem like there’s a heat wave every other week? My air conditioning unit is constantly running, and I struggle to stand on the subway platform for more than a couple of minutes without feeling overheated. While I’d love to stay inside and enjoy the cool air, life requires me to be out and about, which means I need to pull out my lightweight clothing and create a stylish outfit. In the past, I believed it was impossible to dress in a way that kept me cool and looking fashionable. However, this year, after finding elegant and breathable items like linen minidresses, cotton shorts, and thin tank tops, along with inspiration from fashion enthusiasts in warm areas, my approach to getting dressed has evolved.

      I have my own strategy for putting together polished summer outfits with lightweight materials, but I was also curious about how other fashion influencers do it. To learn a new styling tip or two, I reached out to five fashion insiders, including editors from Who What Wear, celebrity stylists, and content creators. Get ready to take away some fresh fashion insights and uncover elegant, breathable pieces that seasoned shoppers turn to during heat advisories. Keep reading to learn more.

      **Erin Fitzpatrick**

      WHO: @fitzpatrickerin, associate director, fashion news

      "If you’re looking for what to wear during extreme heat, I have one word: linen. It’s my go-to for summer dressing—a perfect remedy for all my weather complaints. Linen is breathable and doesn’t cling, wicks moisture, and dries quickly. During summer, I always feel self-conscious about sweating through my clothes, so I tend to wear a lot of whites or patterns since they help hide sweat stains."

      **Reformation**

      **Andy Oversized Linen Shirt**

      **Caslon**

      **Wide Leg Pull-On Linen Blend Pants**

      **Shay**

      WHO: @shayinjune, stylist and content creator

      "This type of weather is tricky since layering isn’t an option (not even a poplin overshirt feels comfortable). My solution is to incorporate pops of color through accessories—a fun mesh bag or a colorful bandana. A vintage-inspired sundress is also a great choice."

      **The Row**

      **Barn Mini Tote Bag in Mesh**

      **Miu Miu**

      **Printed Poplin Scarf**

      **Allyson Payer**

      WHO: @allypayer, senior fashion editor

      "I live in the hot and humid climate of North Carolina, where heat indexes often exceed 100ºF in the summer. To stay cool, I wear a lot of linen dresses, particularly those from Posse and Reformation, which are my favorites. But most days, you’ll find me in lightweight pull-on poplin or linen shorts (denim shorts are just too hot for now) paired with T-shirts or tanks. Lately, I only want to wear sandals and mesh shoes, along with raffia bags and minimal jewelry (thanks to the humidity)."

      **Reformation**

      **Aubree Linen Dress**

      **Open Edit**

      **Tori Kitten Heel Sandals**

      **COS**

      **Oversized Hand-Woven Tote Bag Raffia**

      **Kristen Nichols**

      WHO: @kristenmarienichols, associate director, special projects

      "I usually don't wear hats, aside from a baseball cap, but the recent Celine S/S 26 runway show has made me reconsider my view on this accessory for hot summer days. I’m especially interested in the straw styles from Michael Rider's debut collection and just ordered a similar version from Janessa Leone."

      **Janessa Leone**

      **Felix Straw Bucket Hat**

      **& Other Stories**

      **Woven Straw Bucket Hat**

      **EUGENIA KIM**

      **Bailey Dégradé Crocheted Straw Bucket Hat**

      **Zoe Gofman**

      WHO: @zoegofman, celebrity stylist

      "I’ve never been someone who just throws on a cute dress and goes, but this summer’s extreme heat has me thinking that might be one of the few ways to cope. Light linen dresses that aren’t too tight work for me."

      **ELCE**

      **Exclusive Sidney Striped Cotton-Blend Seersucker Mini Halter Dress**

      **Nikki Chwatt**

      WHO: @nikki.chwatt, associate fashion editor

      Dressing for summer, especially during a heat wave, isn't my favorite activity, so I simplify things by sticking to a consistent outfit formula—lightweight shorts, sandals, and a white tank top. Although flowy dresses are a good option, I find that a fitted tank top (my favorite is from Zara) paired with loose shorts flatters my figure best and gives me confidence to tackle my day. This look transitions easily from day to night by just swapping out flats for kitten heels and adding a