The dog days of summer will be upon us soon. The heat index is 110, and excessive heat warnings become a daily event. If you cannot stay poolside in a bathing suit all day, here are a few tips how to dress to beat the heat.
Fabrics that allow sweat to evaporate more easily will feel cooler overall. Some of the best are:
•Linen
•Cotton
•Rayon
•Chambray
•Bamboo
Remember to wear loose-fitting clothes to allow air movement next to the skin and help with evaporation. Natural fabrics are cooler, but are notorious for wrinkling. There are many new synthetic fabrics designed to make you stay cool, wick away perspiration and prevent that sticky feeling. Trade names for some of these micro modal fabrics are Coolmax and Drifit. The great advantage to these fabrics is no wrinkles and colors stay vibrant.
Always keep in mind light colors keep you cooler, especially white, by reflecting the heat away from you. Texture always adds interest, and can also feel lighter. Eyelet and seersucker are great summer staples.
Choosing the right clothing is key when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun. The good news is fashion has caught up with the times, and stylish sun protectant clothing is available.
UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) is the rating system used for clothing. UPF measures a fabric’s effectiveness from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. This rating is based on the content, weight, color and the construction of the fabric to protect you. The higher the rating the higher the sun protection. A UPF rating of 50 is considered the gold standard, blocking about 95% of UV rays.
Pappagallo is proud to offer several brands with a 50 and above UPF rating. Lilly Pulitzer has dresses, tees and an entire athletic line to keep you stylish and sun-safe.
Come to Pappagallo today and let us help you stay cool, sun-safe and fashionable.
-by Nicki Smith
About the Author: Nicki Smith has been in the fashion industry for over 40 years. She is the owner of and buyer for Pappagallo, located at 2020 Scottsville Road in Bowling Green (The Pines Shopping Center, next to Chico’s).
