Hot weather fashion ideas for over-60s

It’s not even summer yet in Australia but the weather is already heating up to as high as 36 degrees in some places. Forget trying to dress with transitional pieces, we need hot weather fashion now. Depending on your style, there are many things that you can wear to stay cool during these warm months. Although it’s easy to just dress down and go with the relaxed vibe of summer but instead of using the summer heat as an excuse to dress down why not use it as an opportunity to incorporate colour, new fabrics and styles into your wardrobe? It’s time for a summer makeover!

Linen, eyelets and sheer pieces

 

A photo posted by @maitaicollection on Apr 12, 2016 at 12:08pm PDT

During hot months, it is important to allow air circulation to maintain a cool body temperature. To do that, you can pick fabrics that maximise the flow of air through the clothing, allowing heat and moist air to escape. Fabrics that trap moisture can create unpleasant odours and no one wants that. The best fabrics for hot climates are lightweight and made from natural materials such as cotton or linen. Here’s how to pick a good sheer piece:

1. Feel the weight of the cloth – is should feel light.

2. Hold it up to light – if you can see through it a bit – that’s a good sign.

Natural, light fabrics tend to dry faster – a bonus when you sweat. Instead of wearing heavier versions of cotton – such as twill, which is what your jeans are made of – opt for poplin, seersucker and madras cotton.

Shopping list

• Linen blouses and tops are available here.
• Blue linen pants are from here.
• White linen blouse is from here.

Off-shoulder tops and dresses

 

A photo posted by thisgoeswiththis (@thisgoeswith.this) on Nov 7, 2016 at 6:48pm PST

It really depends on your personal style. Some people like wearing off-shoulder tops especially when the heat gets unbearable.

If off-shoulder pieces are your thing, there are plenty available that would suit an over-60.

 

A photo posted by Haute Business (@helengreenwell) on Sep 2, 2016 at 6:40am PDT

Wear them with skirts, cropped pants and shorts. They look great with linen pants too.

Shopping list

• Off-shoulder pieces – You can find off-shoulder tops from Millers, Sussan, Sportscraft and Katies. Blue off-shoulder top here and white off-shoulder top here. Check out deals at Sussans: 50% Off Selected Apparel Styles

Cropped pants

 

A photo posted by Haute Business (@helengreenwell) on Jul 14, 2016 at 8:46am PDT

Cropped pants are very wearable and not to mention stylish. Worn right, cropped pants can look very chic.
 

Shopping list:

• There are plenty of cropped pants here.
• Blue three-quarter pants here.
• Orange-tan cropped pants here.

Be sun safe

A walk of an hour or more will give you lots of sun exposure on your head, shoulders, neck, back and cleavage. Hats and sunnies help shield you from the sun.

Shopping list:

• Plenty of hats and sunnies online.

Mens style

Starts at 60 reader Rod Faithfull said, “I am wondering; what have we got in the way of hot weather fashion to help make us blokes sizzle?” And Rod, this for you and all the men in our lives. Just like the ladies, men should also be picking the right material. Choose fabrics that let your skin breathe like linen and cotton, and wear a hat to protect yourself from the sun. But how about style? The most important thing is to have fun. Perhaps it’s time to wear those fun printed shirts! There are a lot of nice summer pieces for men over-60 here.

What do you wear when it gets too hot?