Scorching sunshine: How to dress up in heat

The heat wave seems to be around for a while and it does not matter whether day or night, most people are boiling under their clothes. With the dust, the situation gets worse, covering the body and clothes with a brown hue, and by the end of the day, one is tired from the discomfort.

Moreen Walusansa, a fashion designer at MSH designs says that the fabric of the outfit matters a lot in controlling the heat.

“Some fabrics like polyester or spandex add to the heat. They are not absorbent, so when one sweats it trickles down the body. Other fabrics like velvet are heavy and add to the heat while others like lace or chiffon are too flimsy, and they let in the sunshine rather directly,” she says.

Linen fabric is breathable and absorbent. (Credit: Shutterstock)

To be comfortable, wear clothes made from pure cotton, or linen. These fabrics “breathe” and expand with the weather. They also absorb sweat very well and so, they will be relaxed,” she says.

She adds that the style of the outfit also matters. Long sleeves and maxi-length outfits trap heat, while short sleeves, knee length, or midi give aeration.

“Also if you must wear something long, make sure the fitting is not so tight that it is clinging to your skin. Fit and flare is an ideal fashion as are shift dresses. Shift dresses for example are a comfortable fit and can be worn to work, church and also to a date or an outing.

When it comes to colours, she says that dark colours like black, navy blue, and dark brown, all absorb heat while light colours repel heat. In the hot weather wear bright colours like white, ivory, champagne, baby blue, pink, and yellow are all friendly to wear. Whereas they might be hard to maintain because of the dust, the comfort is worth it.

Joshua Kiyimba a stylist says that wrongly accessorising can add to the heat. Things like scarves or cravats around the neck make the heat worse. Instead, clip the scarf to your outfit if you have to wear one. Or tie it on your bag, a wristband, which can also act as a sweatband, he says.

Brown loafers: For comfort during the hot weather.(Credit:Shutterstock)

“Heavy shoes like ankle booths, look nice but worsen the situation. Wear loafers, or simple oxford lace-ups if you want a corporate look.  If you decide to wear sneakers, ensure there are socks on the feet for comfort and to keep the feet fresh. Also, a hat is a great accessory when it comes to style because it shields one from the sunshine even as it improves the outfit. For ladies who wear high heels to work, keep a pair of sandals in your desk drawer and give your feet a breather when you are sitting behind the desk,” he advises.

Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen ontop of your moisturizer. (Credit: Shutterstock)

Suitable hairstyles for hot weather

When it comes to hairstyles, Ashraf Katongole, advises against wigs in the hot weather. He says they cap the scalp moreover with a wig cap grasping the head hindering air circulation to it.

“Protective styles like box braids, mini twists, or cornrows are a better option because they leave some space on the scalp. Additionally, wearing them long makes them uncomfortable and hard to maintain. Remember there is the dust and sweat to contend with. So if you are wearing braids to lower back length, the heat gets trapped in the back.

If you have such hairstyles, the best way is to hold them up constantly which can cause boredom and even breakage of the hairline. If it is possible leave the hair unplaited and allow for easy circulation of hair, and at least wear it as a twist out when you remove the mini twists.

He adds that at least once a week wash and deep condition the hair to keep the scalp clean. On bad hair days tie a scarf and style it to keep the hair concealed. If you have natural hair, now is the time to moisturise vigorously because the heat dries up the hair quickly. If you can, avoid heat styling for this period and instead moisturize faithfully with water at the very least,” he advises.

Zaitun Nasher, a beautician says that at night it is wise to wear sunscreen faithfully to shield your skin against the direct sunshine.  She says heavy creamy butters or moisturizers should also be avoided because they add to the discomfort. Instead, she advocates for light moisturizers on the skin.

“At night, leave the skin to breathe instead of adding reams all over the skin at night,” she advises.