What to Wear in Hot Weather: 7 Breathable Cotton and Linen Outfits

I can’t remember the last UK summer when we had such a run of glorious, hot, sunny days. But with temperatures hitting the thirties, we need clothes made of natural fibres to help us stay cool. We should steer clear of anything acrylic or polyester and focus on pure linens and cottons. So that’s exactly what I’ve found for you this week. Everything featured here is, to the best of my knowledge, made from 100% natural materials.

It looks like we really are in the middle of a classic long, hot summer and I, for one, am not complaining. I love getting up in the morning and being able to take the dog out in just a vest and a pair of shorts (for avoidance of doubt, I’m wearing them, not the dog). I love going out in the evening and not having to take a jacket. I love wearing flip-flops (now that I’ve finally found a pair I can wear all day) and I love being tanned. I know that’s probably not the done thing to say, but I’m going to say it anyway.

Ultimately, I’m a child of the 70s, and some things stick with you. At least these days I wear a proper high SPF, not smothering myself in what was basically coconut cooking oil disguised in a bottle of Hawaiian Tropic. We would literally baste and turn ourselves in the sun like a rotisserie chicken. I count myself lucky that my skin isn’t now the texture of roast chicken skin. I do have a turkey neck, but we’ll gloss over that for now…

THE PRETTY COTTON SUNDRESS

You’ve got to love a pretty cotton sundress. They’re usually saved for holidays, but I think we need to get them out and wear them at home too. Why should they only get an airing once or twice a year? I love a classic white or cream summer dress – ideally with a nice bit of embroidery thrown in for good measure.

COTTON TROUSERS & CAMISOLES

This has become a firm favourite of mine this summer. Shorts are great, but you can’t wear them everywhere you go. Plus, if you wear trousers, your legs don’t stick together in the heat. Pair them with a loose-fitting camisole for extra breeziness on your top half. Don’t panic if you can’t face going braless in these cute strappy tops. It’s OK if your bra straps show – just swap out your faithful flesh-coloured one for something a little bit prettier and more colourful, so the straps deserve to be shown off. Organic Basics and Stripe & Stare do some great styles in a multitude of colours.

LINEN SHORTS & SHIRTS

Linen shirts and shorts are so much better than denim in this heat. I’m actually having slight withdrawal symptoms from my jeans. I’m usually married to my jeans, but even I admit they aren’t suitable attire in the height of summer. A nice oversized linen shirt paired with wide shorts is much more appropriate, and smart enough to wear to work too.

SHORT & AIRY DRESSES

That’s short and airy, not short and hairy. However, leg hair maintenance is usually advised when going for a mini dress. A loose, short dress in cotton or linen is probably the ultimate easy outfit for a heatwave. I would wear boxer-style underpants like these with this style to avoid any unexpected embarrassment in a gust of wind.

EASY LINEN TROUSERS

Linen trousers are always a staple of mine in the summer and on holiday. They’re especially good in the evenings when you need your legs covered to minimise the mosquito bites. I never used to get affected by those blood-sucking fuckers, but I got covered in massive bites on the last day in Portugal. That was well over a week ago, and I still bear the scars. If anyone has any recommendations for anti-bite spray before we go to Italy, please let me know, as whatever I used didn’t work.

CRISP COTTON TROUSERS

They don’t have to be white, but an all-white cotton outfit is just so summer, is it not? Although I think the universe knows when you’re wearing all white and makes a point of throwing obstacles in your way. Last time I wore a white outfit, it got coffee spilt on it, a mini pack of onion bhajis dropped on it and half a pint of Pimm’s knocked over it. Not even an emergency Tide pen helped on that occasion.

SMARTER DRESSES FOR THE OFFICE

Or for those who don’t take kindly to showing off their upper arms. The quest for a nice, light cotton dress with some kind of sleeve that doesn’t make you feel frumpy is a real one. To avoid the middle-aged-woman-in-a-midi-dress-and-trainers stereotype, steer clear of floral prints and swap sneakers for sandals or ballet flats.

This week marks ten whole years since I’ve been writing this blog. If there’s anyone out there who has been here since the start, then I salute you. I also salute everyone who has joined along the way. Thanks for your support, and I hope to keep it going for many more years to come.

Kate x

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