My Image Expert

My Image Expert: Fashionable Fabrics for Summer

The sun is out, the horns are blaring and every step you take feels like a bikram yoga position. You may feel like the only one on the planet that is sweating this profusely but believe me when I tell you that we’re all in the same soggy boat. Despite the summer heat, it’s always important to dress and feel your best; possibly even more when Mother Nature turns up the temperature. Your appearance and first impression are two of the few things that you can personally control. You can’t control the weather; you can’t control the amount of sweat that builds up on your body during the morning commute into work. As appealing as gym shorts and tank tops may be under such conditions, physical comfort does not have to come at the cost of your personal and professional appearance.

Choice of fabric is a key factor into choosing the most comfortable and fashionable outfit for your everyday weather-faring situations. One thing can be said of gym shorts and tank tops, cotton is one of the most comfortable and heat releasing fabrics you can easily get your hands on. There are many other choices when it comes to cotton, for instance – a basic cotton summer dress from American Apparel can work wonders when cinched at the waist line. Another thing to remember when wearing summer dresses on windy days; you can never go wrong with slip. Just because Marilyn Monroe was able to pull off the skirt-over-head look, doesn’t mean you can. Linen is also a good alternative to other heavier fabrics. Linen is a very breathable fabric allowing your skin to feel whatever little breeze is going on around you. On a last note, bras are not optional just because it’s summer; always consider the fit and fabric of your clothing. Undergarments are meant to stay “under” your garments.

Written by: Brooke Brazil

Brooke Brazil is the assistant fashion consultant for My Image Expert, New York.