I've Lived in the Humid South for 22 Years—Here's How I Survive Summer
After growing up in Louisiana until the age of 19 and a long hiatus that took me to Pittsburgh, NYC, and L.A., I'm back in the hot and humid South (North Carolina, specifically). Truth be told, I don't hate the summers here. My skin looks nicer than in the (surprisingly freezing) winter, and I can wear prettier things like dresses and little white tops. That said, wearing the wrong thing during the summer in the South will make or break you. I've learned from the unfortunate mistake of wearing the wrong type of fabric over the years and now know exactly how to avoid being suffocated by my clothes when both the heat and humidity are at 100.
I've lived in, or I've at least visited, many parts of the country in my lifetime, and I can say with confidence that if your wardrobe can help you survive July and August in the South, your wardrobe can pass the test anywhere. So without further ado, here's a Southerner/fashion editor's (that's me!) advice for surviving summer (no sweet tea required).
Survival Tip #1: Breathable Fabrics
Fabrics like linen, eyelet, silk, and poplin (instead of polyester and heavy knit) are my go-to fabrics. Because air flow.
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Available in sizes S to M.
Available in sizes 00 to 16.
Available in sizes 16 to 24.
Survival Tip #2: Dresses and Shorts
Sure, it's a no-brainer, but I can't even tell you how often I wear dresses and shorts in the summer. There are some days when even the lightest-weight pants just won't suffice.
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Available in sizes 0 to 12.
Available in sizes XS to XL.
Available in sizes 00 to 10.
Available in sizes 14 to 24.
Available in sizes 00 to 12.
Survival Tip #3: Minimal Accessories
Accessories that could potentially stick to my skin are a no-go this time of year. Instead, I stick to playful bags and cool earrings and hair accessories to elevate my outfits.
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Survival Tip #4: Summer Jeans
There are some situations in which you just need to wear jeans (e.g., travel days), so my trick is to find the lightest-weight denim possible, which surprisingly does exist.
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Available in sizes 23 to 32.
Available in sizes 24 to 32.
Survival Tip #5: Re/Done T-Shirts
Re/Done T-shirts are a wardrobe staple for me in all seasons, but they're surprisingly breathable and soft, making them the perfect summer tees. I wear one almost every day.
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Available in sizes S to L.
Available in sizes XS to L.
Survival Tip #6: Cropped Wide-Leg Pants
In the heat and humidity, you don't want anything close to your skin, so I've found that cropped wide-leg pants are the best summer pants.
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Available in sizes 00 to 12.
