Dressing style can minimize impact of heatwave
I thought winter was coming! But for some reason, someone in heaven has decided to shower some serious heat on us, and it almost feels like we do not have an Ozone layer covering Nigeria anymore. it’s crazy how hot it is, but unfortunately, no matter how unbearable and sticky it gets, we have to wear clothes in public (Toh). For us women, it was hard before, but now, it’s 5 times harder to get dressed in the morning. I have to always think about how often I’ll be outside in the heat versus inside in air conditioning.
Basically, we get hot because of one of these two reasons
– Heat gets traps within our clothes.
– Heat touches us directly on our skin.
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So, here are 5 quick tips to help you stay cool and still slay with style in the heat.
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- Fabric Matters:
Keep it light. Obviously thick fabrics like denim and wool are terrible idea in this heat. Lighter materials like cotton and linen are super comfy and will help air flow to your body. Clothing made from natural materials will breathe and cool you off faster.
2. Loose over Fitted:
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Learned this right from our Queens in the Middle East. It’s usually super hot there so they stick to loose, flowing clothes and robes in light fabrics. The tighter your clothes are, the hotter you’re going to get and feel. In this weather, it’s ok to loosen up a bit and don’t bother trying to wear body-con outfits. Go for roomier cuts, or even size up. Give your skin some room to breathe. If you’re a fan of keeping your legs covered up, don’t shy away from wide-leg options because you’re worried of the wind blowing them open. Long, flowy gowns will help keep you cool, and are a great option for the office as well.
3. Watch Your Steps:
Somehow our feet serve as the body’s thermostat. Notice that when we get cold, one of the first things we do is put on socks. Keep your feet free and light. Don’t wear heavy or tight shoes. Slip-ons, sandals and light-weight sneakers are very good options for the hot weather.
4. Colors:
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Dark is bad, light is good. It’s not that dark colors are evil. No! It’s simply because dark colors absorb light and lighter colors reflect light. This is why sticking to lighter colors will keep your body at a comfortable temperature.
5. Be Careful when Layering: Kimonos, Jackets and Scarves are very fashionable items, but you want to be careful when adding them to your outfit for the day. The good side to this is that if you’re indoors and it’s cold, you’d have something to keep you warm. Else, it’s never a bad idea to have something to throw over your shoulders or hold in your hand through the day.
Lisa Ogunrobo is the CEO of MelisaKim Clothing
IG: @pretiwomannn