Sweat! How to Dress for a Heatwave

“It was a miserable, hot summer day, which was the 14th miserable, hot summer day in a row.” So speaks Carrie Bradshaw via voiceover in an episode of Sex and the City as Samantha walks down the street fanning herself desperately but to no avail. It’s simply too hot in the city, and all she’s doing is fanning more warm, muggy air in her direction.

Samantha eventually finds respite by trespassing in a private pool, but those of us sans club memberships just have to sweat through life and be fine with it. After living through the third New York heatwave this summer this past week, we thought we’d put our fashion editor hats on to conjure up some sartorial tips for breezing through the next bout of “unprecedented” temperatures.

The Towel Stays On

The Row’s Ashley Olsen and Mary-Kate Olsen have become fashion people’s favorite fashion people not only because they make terrific clothes, but because they always do it with such cheeky aplomb. At their pre-fall show, it was their candy-colored jelly sandals that had everyone talking (and evidently buying, as the sandals have become a bit of a thing this summer). But there was something else that was even more important: a model with a long swingy black coat topped off with a vintage-looking orange and white floral towel draped across her shoulders. That it was a literal cotton towel and not a silk or cashmere scarf made to look like a towel is precisely why this accessory is the chicest kind of unhinged. Sweaty? No problem, just wipe it off and go. Perfect.—Laia Garcia-Furtado

Undershirts, Always

Undershirts have gone out of fashion in the last couple years. For some, they feel dated, and for others constricting—a little too much. I’m all for wearing as little as possible in the summer, but I also have to come out as a big fan of an undershirt (I prefer a white or black ribbed tank top straight from the dollar store). As you’re waiting for the delayed train on a damp subway platform, or while your backpack is rubbing against your back, an undershirt will prevent that crisp white cotton button-down or that snazzy Bode shirt made of an esoteric textile from clinging to the sweat droplets running down your back. Even better, make the undershirt a part of the look—never let the swinging of the fashion pendulum get in the way of practicality. —José Criales-Unzueta

Ferragamo, spring 2024.

Photo: Isidore Montag / Gorunway.com

Dries Van Noten, spring 2025 menswear.

Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com

Look-to-Go

L-O-O-K-T-O-G-O you can make this look to go is the dress-for-summer lyric in Chappel Roan’s ubiquitous hit “Hot to Go!” (In my head, that is.) My most crucial non-sweat hack is to simply carry my look with me and throw it on on-arrival. I do this for the office when I want to wear something I refuse to sweat in and don’t want to compromise the vision, or if my outfit has too many layers (I did it this week with a Marni x Uniqlo balloon-hem skirt that is fun to twirl in but too heavy for a heatwave.) I throw on some athleisure—say gym shorts and a gym tee—for my commute and change once at the office. It’s a good thing that large handbags are back in vogue.—JCU

Bottega Veneta, spring 2024.

Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com

Bottega Veneta, spring 2024.

Photo: Armando Grillo / Gorunway.com

Built-In Ventilation

Few things are as unpleasant as having to get dressed when the weather is oppressively hot and humid. Covering your body with fabric as your pores pour sweat is its own version of hell. Enter holes. Slits. Cutouts. Wide, loose knits that only cover you in concept but not in reality. Ok, if you are going to step out into the world you will still need to cover up, but here’s where a very thin lightweight dress, or a pair of boyshorts, or even a bodysuit can come in handy. By themselves you may not be able to get away with them, but when you bring them together, it’s heavenly.—LGF

Sacai, spring 2024 ready-to-wear.

Photo: Paolo Lanzi / Gorunway.com

Diotima, spring 2024.

Photo: Courtesy of Diotima

Karoline Vitto, spring 2024.

Photo: Daniele Oberrauch / Gorunway.com

Go Wet

Dunk yourself under the coldest shower and get dressed. Slick your hair back. Let your clothes stick to you, and step out into the world. If you start sweating, who cares? You’re already wet, but also fresh. Continue to water yourself throughout the day, indulge in the inevitable summer storm systems. This is really living.—LGF

Di Petsa, fall 2024.

Photo: Filippo Fior / Gorunway.com

Bonus: Ice Ice, Baby

If all else fails, I suggest doing as Martin Margiela did for his spring 2006 collection and accessorize with ice. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces—the possibilities are endless. (Another option is to get yourself a little battery charged fan, it’s saved me from sweating off my makeup.)—JCU

Maison Margiela, spring 2006.

Photo: Don Ashby

Maison Margiela, spring 2006.

Photo: Don Ashby